According to the Instituto Zacatecano de Cultura (IZC) “Ramón López Velarde”, the 29th Festival Zacatecas del Folclor Internacional “Gustavo Vaquera Contreras” hosted international and regional dance groups at the Teatro Fernando Calderón on July 29, 2026. The gala event featured performances by Spain’s Labrantes folk group and the Ballet Folklórico de Trancoso, highlighting global traditions under the administration of Governor David Monreal Ávila.
International Folk Groups Take the Stage at Teatro Calderón
The folkloric group Labrantes from Arucas, Islas Canarias, Spain, delivered a high-energy performance alongside the Ballet Folklórico de Trancoso at the Teatro Fernando Calderón. Founded in 1982, the Spanish troupe shifted its focus in 1997 toward rescuing and sharing the ethnographic heritage of the Canary Islands, concentrating specifically on the songs and dances of Gran Canaria under the direction of toque and baile leaders Víctor Batista and Jorge Guzmán, according to the IZC. Balancing the bill, the local Ballet Folklórico de Trancoso—led by Eduardo Ramos—showcased youthful choreography highlighting regional culture through traditional dances accompanied by tambora music.
Plaza de Armas and Plazuela Miguel Auza Host Global Traditions
Performances extended across Zacatecas during the festival’s fourth day of activities. The Plaza de Armas stage welcomed the “Cuicoyan” dance group from Pinos, Zacatecas, followed by the Centro del IMSS “Alma Mexicana” regional artistic group from Mexico City, according to state cultural organizers. The evening program concluded with a performance by the Croatian ensemble Folklorni Ansambl Matija Gubec from Karlovac. Concurrently, the Plazuela Miguel Auza featured the Aramara Chamber Orchestra alongside Poland’s Ziemia Cieszynska Ensamble, which performed traditional Polish music as part of the cross-cultural exchange.
Inclusion Programs and Local Heritage Showcases
Festival programming also integrated social inclusion initiatives and localized traditions across multiple venues. The Plazuela Miguel Auza hosted the CECADEE La Luz A.C. Dance Company, while the Plazuela Goitia presented the “El Espíritu Santo” Matlachines dance from Zacatecas, preserving a prominent local devotional tradition. Additionally, the Sistema Estatal para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (SEDIF) coordinated a special program at the Casa Hogar de la Tercera Edad to engage elderly residents with the festival’s cultural offerings.
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