Ireland announced as La Mar de Músicas guest country for 2027

The internationally acclaimed Cartagena festival will celebrate Irish music, literature, film and the arts after revealing its next guest country during the closing night of this year's event

Ireland will be the focus of Cartagena's La Mar de Músicas festival in 2027, with a programme celebrating the country's music, literature, film and visual arts.

The announcement was made during the closing night of this year's festival, surprising the crowd at the Paco Martín Auditorium as the group Celticue burst into the venue playing traditional bagpipes. The performance gave the more than 1,500 people attending the final concert by Panamanian singer Rubén Blades a first taste of next year's Irish theme. 

The 2027 festival will be the 32nd edition of La Mar de Músicas and follows this year's programme, which put Ecuador's culture in the spotlight.

According to Cartagena's Ayuntamiento, Ireland was chosen because of the strength of its cultural scene, where centuries-old traditions sit comfortably alongside some of Europe's most exciting contemporary artists.

Mayor Noelia Arroyo said the choice perfectly reflects what La Mar de Músicas has always tried to achieve by introducing audiences to inspiring cultures from around the world.

"Ireland has managed to preserve a musical tradition admired around the world while encouraging a new generation of artists who are now setting trends across Europe. That dialogue between roots and modernity perfectly reflects the values of La Mar de Músicas."

She also thanked Ecuador for helping make this year's edition such a success before looking ahead to next summer.

"We say goodbye to Ecuador with sincere gratitude for allowing us to discover more of its rich culture, and we welcome Ireland, a country we are convinced will surprise audiences with the quality and diversity of its artistic talent."

Ireland has produced some of the biggest names in modern music, including U2, The Cranberries and the late Sinéad O'Connor. Sinéad O'Connor remains a familiar and much-loved name to La Mar de Músicas audiences after opening the festival in 2013.

Ireland's music scene has changed dramatically over the past decade. Alongside its famous folk tradition, artists are experimenting with everything from hip hop and electronic music to jazz and post-punk. At the same time, performers including Belfast rap trio Kneecap have brought Gaeilge into the mainstream, helping to introduce the language to younger audiences both at home and abroad.

Rather than leaving its traditions behind, Ireland's newest artists are building on them in a music scene that is always reinventing itself.

The country's creative success isn't limited to music either. Irish writers, filmmakers and visual artists continue to earn international recognition, helping to cement Ireland's reputation as home to one of Europe's most exciting arts scenes. 

As in previous years, the programme will extend well beyond the concert stages. Over the coming months, organisers will begin revealing next year's line-up, with literature, cinema, art exhibitions and other cultural events once again forming a key part of the festival alongside the music.

It should make for another memorable summer in Cartagena, with visitors able to experience a little slice of Ireland without leaving the Costa Cálida.

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Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena