45 companies will participate in the official programme of the FiraTàrrega 2012

Barcelona (ACN).- 46 shows, 45 companies, 24 premieres and 12 co-productions make up the FiraTàrrega’s official festival programme, as well as 23 companies in the ‘Espais d'Empresa’ (Business Spaces). The festival’s 2012 edition takes place from September 6^th to September 9^th in the town of Tàrrega, in Western Catalonia, The Artistic Director of FiraTàrrega, Jordi Duran, said that advance ticket sales are doing better than in previous years. As for the imminent increase in VAT of cultural products decided by the Spanish Government, €5 child tickets and €10 entries will remain the same as the additional cost will be assumed by the organisers. However €18 entries will be affected by the tax increase, rising to €19 this year. Although, the festival still covered part of the rise in cost, otherwise the increase would have been much higher.

In the festival’s presentation at the Catalan Ministry of Culture, Duran emphasised that they are presenting artists who want to reach the cultural market, and they offer the opportunity to do so. Of the 68 companies participating at the festival (45 in the official programme and 23 in the ‘Espais d'Empresa’), 38 are from Catalonia and 12 are international companies, the rest are from different Autonomies in Spain. 

The Programme

The opening show will be ‘As the world tipped’ by the Wired Aerial theatre on September 6^th, which combines audiovisuals and aerial interpretation. Another highlight will be shown within the ‘Focus Nòrdic’ section, with ‘A Circus cabaret from Sweden’, by Bring the Ice.

There are different Catalan street art shows planned such as ‘Bullangas!’ by the Always Drinking Marching Band; ‘Ferro Colat’ by Amebeu Theatre; ‘Post’ by Engruna Theatre; ‘Caputxeta galàctica’ by Insectotròpics; ‘BR2’ by Brodas Bros; ‘Solos’, by the Clac&Roll company; and a self-titled show by ‘The Wandering orquestra’. Duran also highlights amongst others, the Galician urban circus by G.U.P. with ‘Galizian Urban Project’. International shows include ‘Révélation’, by the ‘A part être’ company and ‘De plaga cordis’ by ‘Un 'Ottima.

In the theatre hall there will be performances such as ‘Capas’ by the EIA Circus, ‘Pugilatus’, by the Escarlata Circus, ‘Maiurta’ by Los Galindos, ‘No sé si...’ by Marta Carrasco, ‘Eufòrìa’, by Horta Theatre, ‘Do not disturb’ by Vaivén Circus and ‘Kiss & Cry’ by Charleroi Danses.

In fact, the Director of the Festival pointed out that many events included different formats. “We are a window into different formats, the street spaces are home to a lot of things and a place where different ways of doing things combine” he said.

In FiraTàrrega there are 26 venues and new locations this 2012 include: La Figuerosa, Nau Cartaes, Plaça Espanya, Espai Jacint Verdaguer, Reguer C and Cinema Majèstic. In total there are 28,415 seats and 159 paying shows. The Catalan Government has given FiraTàrrega €490,000, Tàrrega Town Hall has given €225,477, l'INAEM of the Spanish Ministry of Culture has given €100,000 and Lleida Provincial Council has given €141,500.

The VAT increase

FiraTàrrega told the ACN last July that it would be taking on the majority of the VAT increase this year set by the Spanish Government for cultural spectacles. €5 child tickets and €10 entries will remain the same as the cost will be assumed by the organisers. However €18 entries will be affected by the tax increase, rising to €19 this year. Advance ticket sales are doing better than in previous years.