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Ireland will be the focus of Cartagena's La Mar de Músicas festival in 2027, with a programme celebrating the country's music, literature, film and visual arts.
The announcement was made during the closing night of this year's festival, surprising the crowd at the Paco Martín Auditorium as the group Celticue burst into the venue playing traditional bagpipes. The performance gave the more than 1,500 people attending the final concert by Panamanian singer Rubén Blades a first taste of next year's Irish theme.
The 2027 festival will be the 32nd edition of La Mar de Músicas and follows this year's programme, which put Ecuador's culture in the spotlight.
According to Cartagena's Ayuntamiento, Ireland was chosen because of the strength of its cultural scene, where centuries-old traditions sit comfortably alongside some of Europe's most exciting contemporary artists.
Mayor Noelia Arroyo said the choice perfectly reflects what La Mar de Músicas has always tried to achieve by introducing audiences to inspiring cultures from around the world.
"Ireland has managed to preserve a musical tradition admired around the world while encouraging a new generation of artists who are now setting trends across Europe. That dialogue between roots and modernity perfectly reflects the values of La Mar de Músicas."
She also thanked Ecuador for helping make this year's edition such a success before looking ahead to next summer.
"We say goodbye to Ecuador with sincere gratitude for allowing us to discover more of its rich culture, and we welcome Ireland, a country we are convinced will surprise audiences with the quality and diversity of its artistic talent."
Ireland has produced some of the biggest names in modern music, including U2, The Cranberries and the late Sinéad O'Connor. Sinéad O'Connor remains a familiar and much-loved name to La Mar de Músicas audiences after opening the festival in 2013.
Ireland's music scene has changed dramatically over the past decade. Alongside its famous folk tradition, artists are experimenting with everything from hip hop and electronic music to jazz and post-punk. At the same time, performers including Belfast rap trio Kneecap have brought Gaeilge into the mainstream, helping to introduce the language to younger audiences both at home and abroad.
Rather than leaving its traditions behind, Ireland's newest artists are building on them in a music scene that is always reinventing itself.
The country's creative success isn't limited to music either. Irish writers, filmmakers and visual artists continue to earn international recognition, helping to cement Ireland's reputation as home to one of Europe's most exciting arts scenes.
As in previous years, the programme will extend well beyond the concert stages. Over the coming months, organisers will begin revealing next year's line-up, with literature, cinema, art exhibitions and other cultural events once again forming a key part of the festival alongside the music.
It should make for another memorable summer in Cartagena, with visitors able to experience a little slice of Ireland without leaving the Costa Cálida.
Read also: Record cruise passenger numbers help Cartagena power to strongest first half of the year
Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
