The Toledo Courtyard Contest will feature three gardens in its XXIV edition, specifically the one in San Lucas, one in the Plaza de los Postes, and another in the descent of Calle Real.
This was explained on Tuesday at a press conference by the mayor of Toledo, Carlos Velázquez; the president of the Friends of the Courtyards Association, Andrés León; and the manager of the Toledo City Consortium, Jesús Corroto.
León highlighted that this year, a total of 43 spaces will participate in the contest, more than last year and close to the overall record, with many new features. «We have shifted the focus to gardens, which are very beautiful and relatively unknown,» he pointed out, confident that more spaces of this type will gradually be incorporated into the contest.
He also emphasized the appearance this year of the courtyard of the Santa Cruz Museum and another that is «very important» for the association, such as the one at the Benacazón Palace, where the organization was introduced 24 years ago and had not participated for ten years.
Of the total courtyards, almost half, a total of twenty, belong to institutions. Thus, five convents, three hotels, and courtyards belonging to institutions such as the Regional Government – Consultative Council and Fuensalida Palace -, the City Council – Municipal Housing Company -, or the Provincial Council – San Clemente -, as well as the Consortium. Meanwhile, the remaining 23 belong to residents.
On the other hand, León described the agenda of activities planned for this year’s contest as a «revolution,» with over 40 activities, mainly musical but also including other types of cultural events and featuring three artists and groups from outside the city, such as Lorena Brucke, who will perform at the Consultative Council courtyard; the Ceremonia Quartet from Camarena, who will be at the Salón Rico; and a Big Band from the Ansoáin Music School (Navarra), performing at San Clemente.
THE RICO HALL
On the other hand, Jesús Corroto wanted to highlight that this will be the first year in which the Rico Hall will participate in this contest with the aim of sharing its cultural space during the Grand Week of the regional capital.
For this reason, the Consortium, in collaboration with the City Council, is preparing «a full week» of activities in this space between June 16th and 21st from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Finally, the mayor wanted to send a «fundamental» message of «gratitude» to the association, which has been «carrying the weight» of this contest, and also wanted to mention individuals «who want to open their homes so that residents and visitors can enter to see their courtyards.»
Velázquez believes that this initiative «further enhances the Grand Week of Toledo» and highlights that not only is the architectural importance of these spaces emphasized, but they are even more valued «if filled with culture,» asserting that this year «performing arts are more present in the courtyards than ever before.»
Therefore, he predicted that «tens of thousands» of residents and visitors will come to discover the courtyards and gardens that are open to the public in this contest, which will open its doors from June 16th to 21st from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm and on the 21st, in addition to the afternoon, also from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
FUENTE