La Laguna to Host Inaugural Golden Age Festival This August

La Laguna is set to host a unique historical experience this summer. The city’s former Convent of Santo Domingo will be the stage for the first-ever Golden Age Festival, taking place on August 1st and 2nd. The event aims to celebrate the literary and theatrical traditions of the 16th and 17th centuries. Organized by Timaginas Teatro, the festival is supported by the Autonomous Organism for Musical Activities (OAAM).

The festival aims to recreate the atmosphere of traditional open-air theaters within a significant historical setting. Adrián del Castillo, the head of the Culture department, noted that the project is more than just entertainment; it is a way to showcase local heritage. Timaginas Teatro was chosen to lead the event due to their 20-year history of performing classical works by authors like Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and Calderón de la Barca, balancing historical accuracy with modern appeal.

The program for the first weekend of August goes beyond standard performances. It includes interactive elements, such as areas for guests to wear period costumes, and an opening manifesto read by Miguel Ángel Jerez. On Saturday, Imprudentes Teatro and Zálatta Teatro will perform El pretendiente ridículo (The Ridiculous Suitor), followed by a show featuring short comic plays by Cervantes and Lope de Vega.

The festival concludes on Sunday with another performance by Imprudentes Teatro, a presentation of Los sonetos de Lope (Lope's Sonnets) by the Siglo de Oro Foundation, and finally, La farsa del Siglo de Oro (The Golden Age Farce) by Timaginas Teatro. María Rodríguez, co-director of Timaginas, explained that the festival’s goal is to spark interest in classical literature across all generations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between public institutions and cultural groups to keep these projects alive.