RURAL TOURISM AND PROJECTS IN THE ALPUJARRAExamples from the Sierra Nevada, Andalucia,Spain

The Alpujarras, SPAINHighest Mountain : Mulhacen 3480 meter

Highest Village 1480 meter Trevelez

Economy : mainly Agronomy

Population density very low

The Alpujarras2500 Sq Km

40 villages

Only 6 villages have more than 2000 inhabitants, many have fewer then 50

Rich history, strong Moorish influence.

Challenges or opportunities ?

Climate change Little economic

development Demography Protected status Remoteness Non ecologic

agriculture

Micro climates Little economic

development Protected status Nature Remoteness Ecologic agriculture

Challenges Opportunities

•Music in the Mountains / Musica en las Montañas ©•Ferreirola

Examples that work : Musica en la Montañas ©

International Music FestivalStarted in 2004

750 International musicians, both professional and amateur level visited the region

Concerts are held in original venues, on streets and in the middle of nature

Musica en la Montañas

Concerts are free, donations are welcome

95% of concerts are without public funding

The musicians fund the vast majority of their own trips

Local input : collaborative economy

Why does “M work?

Musica en la Montañas

Impacts :

Attracting musicians, public > EconomicImproving livelihood > SocialProviding cultural activities > SocialImproving image of Alpujarra > Overall

Musica en la Montañas

•Opportunities•Possible practical approach•What is needed

Getting towards similar festivals eg in the Carpathians?

• Youth music groups participation• Potential for 2 way cultural exchange between visiting musicians and local culture• Experience in organizing community events• Get high level musicians in the area• Musical exchange between local musicians and visiting musicians

Opportunities

• First define one project• Then collect best practices• Then scale up to build a circuit of villages, venues and a network of participating musicians, organizers, businesses and public• Creativity, spontaneity and flexibility are key.

Possible practical approach

• Transport , Food, Accommodation (home stay / hotels)• Suitable Venues (rehearsal and performance)• Local music groups making music • Suitable candidate villages, open for participatory involvement• Suitable local organizers

What is needed

Thank you !

We are looking forwardto receiving your suggestions.

Please contact us:amigosmusicaenlasmontanas@gmail.com

or mm@elydian.net