The Classical Laguna Experience (CLE) festival, focused on Canarian and Latin American classical music, will host its seventh edition from 22 September to 4 October 2026 across La Gomera, Gran Canaria and Tenerife.
This year, Cuba will be the guest country, with a lineup featuring chamber and orchestral concerts alongside folk-inspired performances and discussions with composers and musicians from the Canaries and Latin America. Participating groups must include at least 50% of their repertoire as Canarian or Latin American works, although most will exceed this, with nearly 90% of the musical programme drawn from these regions.
The festival’s orchestral component, CLEOrquesta (CLEO), will dedicate 100% of its repertoire to classic music from these areas. During the launch event, the Cultural Councillor of La Laguna, Dailos González, praised the festival for blending classical and contemporary music, aiming to engage the public through concerts and educational activities.
Cristóbal de la Rosa, Director General of Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries, highlighted the importance of public institutions collaborating on projects that benefit everyone and stressed the need to attract young people to live music.
Festival director César Martín noted that CLE aims to be a leading force in classical and contemporary music in the Canaries and Latin America, asserting, “Without Latin America, there is no Canaries. That’s why we aim for at least 50% of works from either region; this edition achieves 80%.”
Percussionist Verónica Cagigao remarked on the value of participating in a festival that highlights local artists and Latin American culture. The festival focuses on recovering Canarian and Latin American works while also showcasing popular and folk classics that reflect the shared cultural history of these regions.
The Cuban conductor Yudania Gómez Heredia, recently associated with the Heritage Orchestra, will lead the festival orchestra, collaborating with Venezuelan violinist Alexis Cárdenas and local soloists Verónica Cagigao and Ernesto Alemán.
The programme will kick off on 22 September at the Laguna Grande Restaurant in Vallehermoso, La Gomera, featuring the ensemble Índice y Medio at 12:00. The festival will also include a performance by the Dúo Fraute on 23 September, a classical guitar recital by Alexander Álvarez at Maspalomas Lighthouse on 27 September, and the Cuarteto Imprevisto performing historic pieces on 1 October in La Laguna.
Events will further explore cultural ties between Cuba and the Canaries on 2 October, including a poetic and musical improvisation session led by Yeray Rodríguez and Ana Marys Gil. The Dúo Smetti will continue the theme of local repertoire on 3 October with works by Canarian composers.
CLEOrquesta will conclude the festival on 4 October at the University of La Laguna, showcasing pieces exclusively from Canarian and Latin American composers, including two world premieres.
Alexis Cárdenas and Yudania Gómez Heredia will also participate in community engagement activities on 30 September. The festival, which fosters a strong commitment to female composers, will include discussions on women in music, featuring works by Jenny Peña, Cecilia Díaz Pestano, and many others.
Support for the festival comes from the Government of the Canary Islands, the City of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, and other partners.
