SALISBURY, WILTS, UK: Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival will celebrate the vibrant arts of Catalunya with a very full programme of Catalan events and award-winning artists from the region, supported by the Institut Ramon Llull which promotes Catalan language and culture abroad.

In 2013, the Festival will celebrate Catalan arts through theatre, film, dance, music, talks and food. Human castles will be built outside the Cathedral spire in Catalan tradition by the Castellers of Vilafranca. The performances by the Castellers of Vilafranca are sponsored by Estrella Damm, the original Catalan lager since 1876. World famous Catalan artists will perform, including Pep Bou, Nats Nus, Los Galindos, Cobla St Jordi, Jordi Savall and Carles Santos. The city will be adorned with breath-taking installations from Girona’s Flower Festival and there will be opportunities to sample Catalan cuisine.

Festival director Maria Bota said: “I have been experiencing the vibrant arts and culture from this part of our world since I was a child, as my father is Catalan, and I have discovered a wealth of powerful, feisty and witty work which I hope you will love. Thank you to every Festival partner, sponsor, supporter and Friend for enabling the creation of this international programme which offers exciting experiences for everyone.”

Vicenç Villatoro, director of the Institut Ramon Llull (IRL), said: “The Institut Ramon Llull is delighted to support Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival in this special year in which Catalonia is the main international partner. We are thrilled that Maria Bota and her team have put together a programme of such a variety of talented artists. As the aim of our institute is to promote Catalan culture and language in all its forms, this festival is the ideal platform to offer a taste of the Performing Arts, Music and Cinema from Catalonia. It will also be a perfect opportunity to establish and continue on-going dialogues with other artists and cultures. We very much look forward to sharing the occasion with the Salisbury audience.”