A grand inaugural gala of Salou Capital of Catalan Culture 2025

Salou. Costa Dorada. 18 March 2025. A grand gala at the Teatre Auditori de Salou (TAS), in front of around 500 people, was the starting point for Salou Capital of Catalan Culture 2025, a designation that will allow the municipality to assert itself as the great capital of culture in capital letters of Catalonia for twelve months, beyond being the capital of tourism and holidays in the country.

As befits great occasions, a blue carpet, the colour of the Salou flag, and a photocall space welcomed attendees at the entrance to the TAS, where the festive elements of the Salou procession were also exhibited. A large screen has also been installed to be able to follow the event live.

The gala, which was attended by numerous authorities from all over the region, was hosted by the popular host of the weekend news on TV3 (3Cat, in its current name), Ramon Pellicer, and began with the performance of the hit "Boig per tu" by Salou artist Anna Tena, accompanied by piano.

More than 100 acts

The promotional video was then shown to highlight the cultural wealth of Salou, a fact that was also claimed by the councilor for Culture, Julia Gómez, in her speech when she announced that "we have worked with a lively, dynamic and inclusive program, where schools, organizations and citizens have had (and still have) an active, fundamental role. Culture defines us, excites us and unites us, and this year we want every corner of Salou to be a cultural stage." Gómez announced that the Salou Capital of Catalan Culture 2025 program includes more than 100 events aimed at all audiences and designed for residents and visitors.

In turn, the president of the Catalan Culture Capital Organization, Xavier Tudela, stressed the international nature of this initiative and expressed his desire to strengthen cultural cooperation between Salou and other cultural capitals, such as San Luis Potosí (Mexico). Tudela was convinced that "Salou will be a great ambassador for our culture, Catalan Culture".

Salou, a cultural reference

For his part, the mayor of Salou, Pere Granados, wanted to highlight the historical and heritage wealth of the municipality, and recalled that "it can boast of having a long history that dates back to prehistory. We have witnessed the footprint of various civilizations, from the Neolithic to the present day. Now we have the opportunity to show and claim this cultural legacy within the framework of Catalan culture".

But above all, the mayor insisted on the opportunity that this appointment means for Salou, when he said that "culture is a tool for cohesion, progress and international promotion. We want Salou to be recognized not only for its landscape and its tourist offer, but also as a center of cultural reference".

The opening gala of Salou Capital of Catalan Culture was closed by the Minister of Culture of the Generalitat, Sònia Hernández, highlighting the municipality's ability to cross borders, and pointing out this challenge as the tool that will contribute to "reinforcing the sense of belonging of the people of Salou".

Popular culture and cultural tradition

The gala also featured performances by the giants of Salou, who represent King Jaume I and Queen Violant of Hungary, as well as Mulasseta, the little mule, accompanied by the "grallers".

The last performance linked with the country's cultural and musical tradition through the prestigious choir Veus, Cor Infantil Amics de la Unió de Granollers, which has received numerous national and international awards and performs in the country's main theaters (the Liceu, Palau de la Música, etc.) and in others such as the Philharmonie in Paris or Luxembourg, in addition to participating in festivals in Japan or the United States.

With this brilliant performance and gala, Salou begins its journey this 2025 as the great Capital of Catalan Culture.

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