Barcelona's performing arts festival, Grec 2026, reaches its 50th edition under the direction of Leticia Martín Ruiz. The celebration will take place from June 29 to July 31, with the Grec Theatre on Montjuïc as the central venue, but extending to other city spaces like Teatre Lliure, Mercat de les Flors, and Plaça de Margarida Xirgu, as well as museums and venues throughout Barcelona.
The opening performance will be L’òpera dels tres rals, a co-production with Teatre Lliure commemorating the 50 years of both institutions. Directed by Marta Pazos, the play combines satire, social critique, and live music to question capitalism. It will be performed from June 29 to July 1.
The Montjuïc program features notable theatre productions such as La verdadera historia de Ricardo III by Calixto Bieito and La nit del músic alt. In dance, highlights include Inventions by Mal Pelo, BREL by Anna Teresa De Keersmaeker, 16 & 17 by TAO Dance Theater, and Theatre of Dreams by Hofesh Shechter Company.
Music will play a significant role with performances by fusion flamenco guitarist Yerai Cortés, the collective concert Cançons del Grec: 50 anys de música, ponts i mestissatge featuring artists like Estrella Morente, Maria del Mar Bonet, and Mayte Martín, and the presentation of Ghazal (Poema d’amor) by Raül Refree.
At Teatre Lliure, Seppuku by Angélica Liddell, an exploratory piece on ritual suicide, will be presented. Other theatrical offerings in the city include Ophelia’s Got Talent by Florentina Holzinger and Wasted Land by Ntando Cele.
Contemporary dance will also be featured with performances like BOGOTÀ by Andrea Peña and I Degree Celsius by Sung Im Her at Mercat de les Flors. The circus program includes Ceramic Circus by Julian Vogel.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, the festival offers two free events: on July 8, a commemorative documentary featuring shorts by various directors will be screened at the Grec Theatre, and on July 17, a special concert will take place at the Sagrada Família with Maria Arnal, Lídia Pujol, and Cor Cererols.
