A new incarnation of the Diversa Festival, a cultural and social event that has become a benchmark for LGBTI+ visibility in the province of Alicante, will be held in Elche from May 16th to the 24th. The festival, which is presented under the motto “More visible, more possible,” is organised by the City Council through the Departments of Social Action, Culture, and Youth. This motto embodies the festival’s characteristic spirit of inclusion and diversity.
The Diversa 2025 Festival programme encompasses a variety of events, such as panel discussions, theatre, film, athletics, live podcasts, and concerts, all of which will feature notable artists and personalities. Diversa has experienced substantial growth since its inception in 2009. The 2024 edition attracted over 4,200 attendees, a 20% increase from the previous year, as indicated by city council data.
Celia Lastra, Councillor for Social Action, underscored that “this festival is not merely a celebration; it is a social transformation tool that enables us to coexist with empathy and respect, thereby reinforcing the principles of diversity and integration.”
The Congress Centre, the Odeón Cinemas, the Sports City, and the L’Escorxador CCCE are among the venues that will hold the events. The latter will host a significant portion of the activities. This year, Miguel Hernández University (UMH) is also participating through its Vice-Rectorate for Culture, Equality, and Diversity.
On Thursday, May 16th, the programme will commence with a panel discussion featuring Choriza May, a well-known drag diva who is recognised for her involvement in Drag Race UK. The Espai Escènic del Escorxador will host the event at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
The horror classic Scream (1996) will be screened at 12:00 p.m. at the Congress Centre on Friday, the 17th. Cristina Alcázar and Carla Pulpón will be broadcasting the podcast “Cover Lo Sera Tú” live at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, the 18th, at the Escorxador. Tickets for this event, as well as the other paid performances, are priced at 5 euros and can be obtained from the Gran Teatro box office or the Vivaticket platform.
The Congress Centre will host a discussion on the cultural memory of the LGBTI+ community at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, the 23rd. The Sports City will host a sports day with Dimove at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, the 24th. In the afternoon, the theater-cabaret “The Night of a Thousand Marinas” will be performed at 7:30 p.m.
Natalia Lacunza, a finalist on Operación Triunfo and one of the most influential emerging artists on the Spanish music landscape, will be performing at the festival’s closing ceremony. The festival’s inaugural speech will precede the concert, which is scheduled to commence at 10:00 PM on the Escorxador terrace.
Elche reiterates its dedication to the rights of the LGBTI+ community through this initiative, which provides a platform for expression and commemoration that is accessible to all citizens.
Author: Derek Appleton
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