Under the motto “Manzanares El Real… a storybook place,” the festival seeks a return to essentials in the digital age, emphasizing collective memory and active listening. The Sala El Rodaje and the Concha Méndez Municipal Library will be the main venues for this cultural event, marking the beginning of Book Week.
“"Prepare your luggage… and let yourself be carried away by the stories!"
The inauguration on Friday, April 17, will be led by the Manzacuentos Storytelling Group, a collective of volunteer parents who promote reading and build social fabric in the municipality. Their proposal “Story Luggage: accompanying stories” invites participants from 3 years old to an emotional immersion, highlighting the importance of grassroots culture.
Friday night is reserved for adult audiences with Yoana Siri, a professional storyteller, who will present “Let's Have Peace in the Story.” Her show, aimed at people between 40 and 65 years old, proposes words as a space for resistance and reflection in a turbulent global context, using traditional and experiential stories to foster peace.
On Saturday, April 18, storytelling will spill into the streets with the Municipal Music Band and their show “The Lost Score.” This family musical storytelling event will begin at the Concha Méndez Municipal Library and guide participants in a parade towards the Sala El Rodaje, merging music and words into an immersive experience.
In the afternoon, Demetrio Aldeguer will present “The Glutton and other stories,” advocating for the honesty of storytelling without modern artifices. His artisanal approach, with stories told “with voice, hands, and heart,” seeks to connect with children through rhymes, chants, and improvisation, emphasizing the power of traditional oral resources.
The festival's closing, on Sunday, April 19, will focus on the youngest, babies between 9 and 36 months. CuentaCris will offer “The Colors of the World” at the Concha Méndez Library, a sensory stimulation proposal that uses objects and “sound gadgets” to create a magical environment where babies are active participants in discovery.
The XI La Pedriza Storytelling Festival leaves a trail of stories in Manzanares El Real, demonstrating the cultural vitality of the Sierra de Madrid. Although the festival is a vital showcase, the continuous work of groups like Manzacuentos and citizen involvement are key to keeping the flame of reading and curiosity alive beyond the three-day event.
