Gran Canaria for 
Island of Culture
Music
In Gran Canaria you can enjoy concerts, recitals and festivals of all styles of music throughout the year. Music forms an integral part of island life, with music being heard in the various theatres and auditoriums, in the streets and squares and at the traditional festivals of the island.
Classical Music
Spain's first Philharmonic Society is in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and it was founded in 1845. The people of Gran Canaria evidently have an enormous love of classical music, as you can see from the continuous programme of classical music events, which includes the Canary Islands Classical Music Festival, the Alfredo Kraus Opera Festival, (named after the Canarian-born tenor), the Philharmonic Orchestra of Gran Canaria season of concerts, the Zarzuela Festival, the Guitar Festival, among others.
Modern Music
Gran Canaria is one of the few places where the World of Music, Arts and Dance (Womad) is held, which is one of the most important world music festivals. Rock, jazz and celtic music festivals, as well as concerts and recitals that include everything from the most traditional to the must current sounds, complete an extensive programme of musical events that take place throughout the entire island.
Dance, Theatre and Cinema
The various theatres on the island have continuous programmes of events, including theatre and dance shows that feature the best companies and professional artists on the scene. This array of cultural events is supplemented by a variety of specialised festivals, such as Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Theatre and Dance Festival, Festival in the South -Drama from 3 Continents in Agüimes and the International Comedy Festival in Ingenio.
As far as cinema is concerned, special mention must be made of the International Cinema Festival of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: The best motion pictures from all over the world are entered in this festival, which is attended by celebrities of the “seventh art”.
Painting and Sculpture
Until the mid-19th century, the artists of Gran Canaria merely followed the various European schools of the time, without making any original contribution. However, from that time on, the island’s native artists put their own distinct stamp on the various universal artistic currents, such as modernism, expressionism, indigenism and abstract art. The artists that enjoy the greatest international recognition are Néstor de la Torre, Manuel Millares and Martín Chirino, names that have become part of the history of art.
Exhibition centres
In the various exhibition centres and museums on the island the visitor will find works of art that were produced on the island as well as works that were produced by exponents of more universal artistic currents. Some exhibition centres are the Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno (CAAM) modern art gallery, La Regenta Art Gallery, Christopher Columbus' House, Centro Insular de Cultura, the San Antonio Abad exhibition rooms and CICCA.
Further information at: www.grancanariacultura.com/prog
