La Laguna Hosts Third International Plucked String Festival
La Laguna is hosting its third annual International Plucked String Festival from July 1 to July 8, offering a diverse educational program of masterclasses and workshops for musicians of all levels.
La Laguna is once again cementing its status as the heart of plucked string music in the Canary Islands with the third annual International Plucked String Festival (Ficup). Registration is now open for the event, which runs from July 1 to July 8 and features a diverse educational program covering everything from classical guitar and early music to the traditional timple.
More than just a series of performances, the festival serves as a vital hub for musical education in the region. The curriculum is impressively varied, featuring world-class instructors such as Carlo Marchione, Francisco Bernier, Sara Guerrero, and Luis Alejandro García, who will lead courses for elementary and upper-intermediate students. Additionally, the iconic Canary Island timple will be the focus of a dedicated program led by Germán López, Derque Martín, and David Duque.
The festival goes beyond basic technique by offering specialized sessions tailored to the modern musician. Theorbo player Nacho Laguna will lead the early music segment, while other workshops will explore broader musical skills. Highlights include Antonio Toledo’s session on improvisation outside of jazz and Francisco Bernier’s masterclass on optimizing practice habits and technical performance.
To make this training accessible to everyone, the organizers have set prices starting at 25 euros per session. There is also a 30-euro "auditor" pass available, which provides full access to all masterclasses for students and music enthusiasts. Those interested in attending can register through the festival’s official website.