Spain

WHAT TO DO IN SPAIN

THEATRE Spain means theatre. Experience it like never before: in a Roman amphithea tre, an open-air theatre, or a mediaeval cloister. The Mérida Classical Theatre Festival is a chance to experience the outstanding setting of a Roman theatre dating from the first century BC, which has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage designation. Its imposing stage is perfect for performing Greek and Latin texts, but it's also open to the performing arts in general, including music and film. Discover the Corral de Comedias open air theatre in Almagro, built four centu ries ago, at the International Theatre Festival held in this town in La Mancha in July. You can watch performances by authors like William Shakespeare and Lope de Vega and take part in cours es and workshops for theatre lovers in the Olmedo Clásico competition in Valladolid. Without forgetting the classics, but now veering towards other disciplines such as dance, circus and music, the Grec Fes tival in Barcelona takes place in a cap tivating setting on the top of Montjuic mountain.

FILM Rub shoulders with stars and filmmak ers, attend world premières and discover small independent film treasures in the prestigious festivals that are held up and down the country. Discover the San Sebastián Film Festi val , one of the most prestigious in the world and the oldest of its kind in Spain, and immerse yourself in the seventh art. The photocalls with actors and directors overlooking the bay in the city are a clas sic feature of this festival. Passionate cinephiles won't want to miss the SEMINCI in Valladolid, which each year schedules some of the best interna tional “ciné d'auteur”. The Gijón Interna tional Film Festival and the Seville Euro pean Film Festival are the perfect excuse to discover two beautiful cities that will captivate you with their long-standing film tradition. If you like intense emotions, get ready for the terrifying experiences on offer each year at the Sitges International Fantas tic Film Festival , one of the most impor tant in the horror film genre in the world. And you can't miss the Sitges Zombie Walk, a stroll among the living dead in the centre of in this coastal town near Barcelona.

b MERIDA CLASSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL Photo: Juan Aunin/123rf.com

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