Mostra Viva del Mediterrani – Valencia, Spain 2025

Background & History

Celebrating its 40th edition from October 23 to November 2, 2025, Mostra Viva del Mediterrani is a cornerstone of Mediterranean cultural expression in Valencia, Spain. Founded in 1980 and revitalized in 2013 by the Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation (ACM), the festival promotes unity among Mediterranean cultures through music, cinema, folklore, and academic discourse.

Unlike the film-centric Mostra de València – Cinema del Mediterrani, Mostra Viva encompasses a diverse program, including the Mediterranean Music Trobada, free film screenings, and events like the Nanos and Gegants Exhibition. With over 10,000 attendees in recent years, the festival collaborates with the Valencian Institute of Culture (IVC) and Casa Mediterráneo, emphasizing accessibility with mostly free events. Its mission of fostering peace and cultural dialogue is reflected in performances like In the Footsteps of Xarq Al Andalus and the III Mediterranean Music and Science Congress.

Event Highlights

• Mediterranean Music Trobada: Features artists like Cocanha (France), Mara Pedro (Portugal), and Burruezo & Nur Camerata, blending traditional Mediterranean sounds with modern genres.
• Cinema Screenings: Free or low-cost films showcasing Mediterranean narratives at venues like Teatre El Musical.
• Parallel Activities: Includes the Nanos and Gegants Exhibition, Cant d’Estil parade, and Rondalla Sant Pere concert, celebrating Valencian folklore.
• Cultural Exhibitions: Reissue of the Xarq Al Andalus album, honoring Mediterranean musical heritage.
• III Mediterranean Music and Science Congress: Explores resource sharing in music and technology, held November 18–19.
• Free Access: Most events are free with reservations, ensuring broad accessibility.
• Community Engagement: Workshops, parades, and exhibitions foster cultural unity across Mediterranean communities.

Date & Duration

Dates: October 23 – November 2, 2025 (main festival); November 18–19, 2025 (Congress)
Duration: 11 days (main festival) + 2 days (Congress)

Venue / Location

The festival spans multiple venues in Valencia, with one event in Alicante, blending historic and contemporary settings.

• Valencia Venues:
  • Teatre El Musical (TEM): Plaza del Rosario, 3, 46011 Valencia, Spain (music and cinema).
  • Centre del Carme Cultura Contemporània (CCCC): Calle Museo, 2, 46003 Valencia, Spain (band concerts, Cant d’Estil).
  • La Nau Cultural Center (University of Valencia): Calle de la Nave, 2, 46003 Valencia, Spain (congress and presentations).
  • Chapel of Charity: Calle de la Caridad, 2, 46003 Valencia, Spain (Rondalla Sant Pere concert).
  • Serranos Bridge (Towers): Pont de Serrans, 46003 Valencia, Spain (Nanos and Gegants Exhibition).
  • Octubre Centre for Contemporary Culture: Calle de Sant Ferran, 12, 46001 Valencia, Spain (Tendur concert).
  • Filmoteca de València: Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 17, 46002 Valencia, Spain (Cant d’Estil starting point).
• Alicante Venue:
  • Casa Mediterráneo: Antigua Estación de Benalúa, Plaza Arquitecto Miguel López, s/n, 03008 Alicante, Spain (Xarq Al Andalus performance).
    Venues are accessible in Valencia’s vibrant districts, with the Ebro River and historic landmarks enhancing the cultural experience.

Contact Information

• Email: info@mostraviva.org; premsa@mostraviva.org (press)
• Phone: +34 629 82 13 56
• Website: mostraviva.org
• Social Media: Follow @mostraviva on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates.
• Office Address: Mediterranean Citizens’ Assembly Foundation, Calle de la Paz, 6, 46003 Valencia, Spain

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Free events require reservations via taquillaunica.es or venue box offices (e.g., Teatre El Musical). Paid cinema screenings are available through mostraviva.org or entradas.com.
• 2024 Pricing (in USD):
  • Standard Single Screening: $2.93 USD (€2.50 EUR)
  • 10-Session Pass: $23.40 USD (€20.00 EUR)
  • Reduced-Price Single Screening (students, retirees, unemployed, people with disabilities): $1.76 USD (€1.50 EUR)
• 2025 Pricing: Not yet announced; expected to align with 2024 prices ($1.76–$23.40 USD for cinema screenings). Music performances and parallel activities are primarily free with reservations.
• Special Notes:
  • Free event tickets must be reserved in advance due to limited capacity.
  • Reduced-price tickets require valid ID at venue box offices.
  • Check mostraviva.org for 2025 pricing updates by September.

Cultural Significance

Mostra Viva del Mediterrani is a celebration of Mediterranean unity, weaving music, cinema, and folklore to promote peace and cultural exchange. The Mediterranean Music Trobada highlights artists like Cocanha and Mara Pedro, blending Occitan, fado, and Gnawa with modern influences like jazz and avant-garde. Productions like In the Footsteps of Xarq Al Andalus revive Andalusian poetry through contemporary music, bridging cultures across centuries.

Valencian traditions shine in events like the Cant d’Estil parade and Nanos and Gegants Exhibition, while the Music and Science Congress fosters intellectual dialogue on resource sharing in music technology. The festival’s free access model ensures inclusivity, making Mediterranean heritage accessible to all.

Food & Drinks

• Valencian Specialties: Savor paella valenciana, fideuà, and horchata at restaurants like Casa Carmela (Calle Isabel de Villena, 155, Valencia, near TEM).
• Festival Stalls: Pop-ups at Centre del Carme and Serranos Bridge offer tapas (croquetas, montaditos), local cheeses, and Utiel-Requena wines.
• Alicante: Casa Mediterráneo events feature Mediterranean dishes like gazpacho, calamari, and Alicante wines.
• Drinks: Cava, sangria, and non-alcoholic agua de Valencia are available at venues.
• Nearby Markets: Mercado de Colón (Calle Jorge Juan, 19, Valencia) offers gourmet snacks near La Nau; Mercado Central (Plaza Ciudad de Brujas, s/n, Valencia) is ideal for fresh produce.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Events like the Nanos and Gegants Exhibition (November 1) and Gayano Women’s Band concert (November 1) are suitable for all ages.
  • Cant d’Estil parade includes storytelling and activities for children.
• Accessibility:
  • Teatre El Musical and Centre del Carme are fully wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators.
  • La Nau, Chapel of Charity, and Casa Mediterráneo (Alicante) have partial accessibility; contact info@mostraviva.org for specific accommodations.
  • Audio descriptions and sign language interpretation are available for select events upon request.
• Age Policy: Open to all ages; under-16s require adult supervision for evening concerts or screenings.

Getting There

• By Air: Valencia Airport (VLC, 10 km from city center, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport (Valencia):
  • Metro: Lines 5, 7, or 9 to Alameda or Colón stations, 5–10 minutes from most venues.
  • Bus: Lines 5, 10, 32 stop near Teatre El Musical and Centre del Carme.
• Public Transport (Alicante):
  • Train: Alicante-Terminal (Renfe, 10-minute drive to Casa Mediterráneo).
  • Bus: Line C-6 connects Alicante Airport to Casa Mediterráneo.
• By Car:
  • Valencia: Limited parking near Teatre El Musical (Calle Guillén de Castro, 46011); use Parking Colón (Calle Jorge Juan, 19).
  • Alicante: Free parking at Casa Mediterráneo (Plaza Arquitecto Miguel López, s/n).
• Inter-City Travel: AVE trains connect Valencia to Alicante in 1.5 hours via renfe.com.
• Rideshare: BlaBlaCar offers shared rides between Valencia, Alicante, and nearby cities.

Lineup Information

Mediterranean Music Trobada (Confirmed 2025 Artists):

• Cocanha (France): Occitan polyphony with amplified percussion, October 23, 7:30 PM, Teatre El Musical.
• Mara Pedro (Portugal): Fado singer with original compositions, October 24, 7:30 PM, Teatre El Musical.
• In the Footsteps of Xarq Al Andalus (Valencian Country, Morocco): Gnawa, Andalusian, and jazz fusion, October 25, 7:30 PM, Teatre El Musical; November 7, 8:00 PM, Casa Mediterráneo (Alicante).
• Burruezo & Nur Camerata: Sephardic and troubadour melodies with contemporary flair, October 26, 7:30 PM, Teatre El Musical.
• Musicants: Mediterranean fusion with jazz and classical influences, October 29, 7:30 PM, Teatre El Musical.
• Gayano Women’s Band: Goya Award-winning film music, November 1, 12:00 PM, Centre del Carme.
• Tendur (Mireia Tortosa): Valencian folk in an intimate setting, November 7, 8:00 PM, Octubre Centre for Contemporary Culture.
• Rondalla Sant Pere: Traditional Valencian music and choir, October 26, 6:00 PM, Chapel of Charity.
  Cinema: Films will focus on Mediterranean narratives; past editions featured directors like Youssef Chahine and Nadine Labaki. Full lineup announced by September 2025 on mostraviva.org.

Past Notable Performers

• Music: Al Tall, Muluk El Hwa, Carles Dénia, Miquel Gil, Pep Gimeno “Botifarra” (Valencian folk), Nass El Ghiwane (Morocco), Fairuz (Lebanon).
• Cinema: Films by Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Elia Suleiman (Palestine), and Ferzan Özpetek (Italy).
• Congress Speakers: Prof. Dr. Dino Habibović (University of Sarajevo), Mirza Redžepagić (flamenco artist).
  These performers reflect Mostra Viva’s commitment to showcasing Mediterranean diversity.

Cultural Activities

• Nanos and Gegants Exhibition: November 1, 6:00 PM, Serranos Bridge. Parade of Valencian folklore figures with music and dance.
• Cant d’Estil Parade: October 29, 5:00 PM, from Filmoteca to Centre del Carme. Traditional Valencian recital through historic streets.
• Xarq Al Andalus Album Reissue: Launch event celebrating Mediterranean musical heritage, in collaboration with ACM Foundation and IVC.
• III Mediterranean Music and Science Congress: November 18–19, La Nau. Discusses resource sharing in music technology, featuring speakers like Vicent Garcés and Ali Esquembre Kučukalić.
• Workshops: Music, storytelling, and folklore sessions at Centre del Carme, open to all ages.

Educational Impact

• III Mediterranean Music and Science Congress: Advances research on materials science in musical instrument production, promoting equitable technological development.
• Workshops for Youth: Music and folklore sessions engage local students, fostering appreciation for Mediterranean heritage.
• Cultural Preservation: The Xarq Al Andalus reissue and Cant d’Estil parade preserve Valencian and Mediterranean traditions for future generations.
• Community Outreach: Free events and school partnerships ensure cultural education is accessible to diverse audiences.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Free event tickets require reservations via taquillaunica.es; secure spots early due to high demand.
• Weather Prep: October/November in Valencia (60–70°F) is mild but can be rainy; pack light layers and umbrellas.
• Explore Locally: Visit the City of Arts and Sciences (Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7) or Albufera Natural Park (El Palmar, Valencia).
• Public Transport: Use Valencia’s metro (TuiN 10-trip card, $10 USD) or buses for efficient travel.
• Festival App: Download the Mostra Viva app (iOS/Android) for schedules, maps, and real-time updates.

Local Attractions

• Serranos Towers: Pont de Serrans, 46003 Valencia (near Nanos and Gegants Exhibition).
• City of Arts and Sciences: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7, 46013 Valencia (10-minute drive from TEM).
• Mercado Central: Plaza Ciudad de Brujas, s/n, 46001 Valencia (near La Nau).
• Valencia Cathedral: Plaza de la Virgen, s/n, 46001 Valencia (5-minute walk from CCCC).
• Alicante (Casa Mediterráneo): Santa Bárbara Castle (Monte Benacantil, 03002 Alicante) for panoramic views.

Accommodation Options

• Valencia:
  • Hotels: SH Valencia Palace (Paseo de la Alameda, 32, 46023 Valencia, $100–$180 USD/night); Hotel Las Arenas Balneario (Calle Eugenia Viñes, 22, 46011 Valencia, $120–$200 USD/night, near TEM).
  • Hostels: Home Youth Hostel (Calle la Lonja, 4, 46001 Valencia, $20–$40 USD/night).
  • Airbnb: Apartments in El Carmen or near TEM ($60–$150 USD/night).
• Alicante:
  • Hotels: Eurostars Lucentum (Av. Alfonso X el Sabio, 11, 03002 Alicante, $80–$140 USD/night).
  • Hostels: The Market Hostel Alicante (Calle Díaz Moreu, 20, 03004 Alicante, $20–$35 USD/night).
  • Airbnb: Apartments near Casa Mediterráneo ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve via booking.com or airbnb.com 3–6 months in advance for best rates.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid stations at Teatre El Musical and Centre del Carme; nearby hospitals include Hospital Clínico Universitario (Av. de Blasco Ibáñez, 17, Valencia).
• Security: Bag checks and staff at all venues; secure areas for outdoor events like Serranos Bridge.
• Health Protocols: Hand sanitizer stations and optional mask areas for indoor events.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venues ensure continuity; outdoor events have tents and poncho distribution for rain.