What is the Renaixement Cultural Festival
The Renaixement Cultural Festival is an annual event celebrating Renaissance culture through music, poetry, dance and historical outreach. In its tenth edition, taking place from 22 to 25 October 2026 at the S. Miquel dels Reis Monastery, the festival pays tribute to King Jaume I on the 750th anniversary of his death. This edition includes five concerts, the III Conference on the Valencian Golden Age —dedicated to exploring the monarch’s figure— and a themed dinner, the Sopar dels Borja, which recreates the gastronomy and atmosphere of the era with live music and dance.
Programme and artists
The festival kicks off on 22 October with two proposals: at 8:00 PM, soprano Beatriz Lafont will perform La Romanina, Vittoria Archilei, entre música y poesía, a recital with theorbo and Baroque guitar; and at 10:30 PM, the Orquesta Andalusí & Compañía Transfermove will present Balansiya, Oh València! Tu no ets tu, abans la conquesta, a fusion of Andalusian and contemporary music.
On 23 October, the Italian ensemble L’Homme Armé, directed by Fabio Lombardo, will offer Spontava il dì, Florència, Màntua i la nuove musiche at 8:00 PM in the monastery church. Later, at 10:30 PM, Capella de Ministrers, under the direction of Carles Magraner, will perform Amors e cansò, homenatge a Jaume I in the cloister.
On 24 October, Acadèmia CdM will close the concerts with El Convit, sopra Il Festino by Adriano Banchieri, a madrigal comedy to be performed at 8:30 PM in the cloister. After this concert, the Sopar dels Borja will take place, a themed dinner with poetry, dance and Renaissance music, inspired by the influential Valencian family.
Schedule and duration
The festival spans four days, from 22 to 25 October, with concerts scheduled in the evening. The conferences on the Valencian Golden Age will take place on 22 and 23 October, though their specific timings have not been announced. Concerts begin between 8:00 PM and 10:30 PM, with an approximate duration of 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the programme.
Access and requirements
Access to the festival’s concerts and activities is subject to ticket purchase, though prices and availability have not been confirmed. To participate in the Sopar dels Borja, a reservation is required, as it is a limited-capacity event. No minimum age is specified for attending the concerts, but it is recommended to check the specific conditions of each activity on the festival’s official website.
