Teodomiro Awards Gala to Celebrate Orihuela’s Culture and Heritage
On September 26, the historic Teatro Circo in Orihuela will host the inaugural Teodomiro Awards Gala, a Night of Culture that weaves together theatre, literature, sculpture and a large‑scale symphonic‑choral concert. The programme, organized by the city’s Historical and Artistic Heritage Board, aims to showcase the region’s artistic talent while honoring its deep historical roots.
The evening opens with a theatrical monologue titled The Will of Teodomiro, performed by actor Carlos Manrique. Written especially for the gala by playwright Jon Sarasti, the piece introduces audiences to the enigmatic figure of Teodomiro and the era that shaped him.
The second segment spotlights the Teodomiro Awards, revealing the winners of a national short‑story competition, Teodomiro and His Time, and a sculpture contest dedicated to the same historic character. The awards celebrate emerging literary and visual voices from across Spain.
A grand musical finale follows, featuring more than 140 musicians under the baton of conductor Manuel Ramos. The concert launches with the overture from Verdi’s La forza del destino, moves into the jubilant fourth movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and closes with the locally commissioned Hymn to Orihuela, a collaborative work by Carlos Moreno and José Maciá, arranged by Roberto Rabasco.
Admission is free, though tickets must be collected in advance at the theatre box office. Attendees who present their tickets at the exit receive a complimentary commemorative volume that gathers the winning short stories, cementing the gala’s role as a new fixture in Orihuela’s cultural calendar.