Figueres concludes the 150th anniversary tributes to musician Pep Ventura

The city celebrates the legacy of the father of modern sardana with concerts and public events.

Generic image of a traditional Catalan cobla ensemble performing in an auditorium.
IA

Generic image of a traditional Catalan cobla ensemble performing in an auditorium.

The city of Figueres is hosting the final events of the 150th anniversary of the death of Pep Ventura this weekend, March 21st and 22nd.

The celebration includes a concert by the Cobla Vila d'Olesa at the Caputxins Auditorium, focusing on Ventura's revolutionary compositions. On Sunday, a floral tribute will take place at the Municipal Cemetery, followed by traditional sardana dancing at Plaça Tarradellas.
The Figueres City Council has also restored the water feature at the composer's monument, which had been dry for four years due to drought restrictions. This year of tributes has been led by the Foment de la Sardana Pep Ventura association and local cultural authorities.
Born in 1817, Pep Ventura was a key figure in Catalan folk music. He is credited with transforming the sardana dance and evolving the 'cobla' ensemble, making the tenora woodwind instrument a central element of the genre.