Poet, artist, playwright and musician, Federico García Lorca became a symbolic figure for the Republican army and supporters during the Spanish Civil War when his life was brutally cut short at the very start of the conflict.

In Patrias, world-renowned flamenco guitarist Paco Peña brings a very personal new work to the Festival, exploring through music and song the emotional, physical and cultural impact of the war on his country's history, inspired by the life and music of one of its most famous casualties.

A consummate musician, Lorca made an important contribution to the Andalusian folk repertoire, while his poetry has been an inspiration to artists involved in the expression of flamenco for many years.

Through traditional Spanish folk music and songs, many written and performed by Lorca during his lifetime, alongside a collection of simple songs of the time used as rallying cries for combatants and supporters on either side of the conflict, Peña vividly contrasts a colourful cultural heritage with the stark brutality of the war.

In doing so, Patrias reflects the extreme polarity of ideas and ideologies that prevailed during Spain's most turbulent and destructive period.

one of the world's foremost exponents of traditional Spanish guitar

The Daily Telegraph