From the Andean folktronica of Swing Original Monks to the immortal salsa of Rubén Blades. From the indigenous roots claimed by Lila Downs to the Mediterranean avant-garde of La Niña. From July 18 to 26, The Sea of Music will once again turn Cartagena into a global meeting point with Ecuador as the protagonist of a program that also includes Oumou Sangaré, Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Judeline and Rodrigo Cuevas.
For more than three decades, La Mar de Músicas has been demonstrating that a festival can be much more than a succession of concerts. Each edition proposes an itinerary and this year that trip has its main starting point in Ecuador. The festival organized by the Cartagena City Council will offer 45 concerts. Twenty-one of them will be free. A program that once again turns the Cartagena event into one of the most unique cultural proposals of the Spanish summer. The public’s response already anticipates the interest aroused by this edition. The tickets for the Rodrigo Cuevas concert are sold out and the tickets for Parque Torres were sold in just a few minutes.
Ecuador, much more than a guest
The 31st edition of La Mar de Músicas is not limited to dedicating a musical focus to Ecuador. This year, the Andean country becomes the authentic cultural hub of the festival. A proposal that seeks to approach its reality through music, art, thought and knowledge.
The Ecuadorian programming will bring together ten projects capable of showing different ways of understanding tradition and modernity. From the Andean folktronica of Monks Original Swing to the festive spirit of Dada Papaya. From the indie pop of Paola Navarrete to alternative rock Lolabúm. There will also be the electronic experimentation of LaTorre and the songs open to the poetry of Saint Peter Bonfim and his miracles.
There will also be space for proposals deeply connected to the country’s cultural roots. It is the case of Humazapasa group dedicated to the preservation of the Kichwa tradition. Also from Jatun Mamawhich combines indigenous languages and contemporary electronics. Or of Margarita Lasoone of the fundamental voices of Ecuadorian music. Complete the representation Machakaone of the artists with the greatest international projection of the new scene in the country.
But the festival’s approach to Ecuador goes far beyond the stages. For the first time in its history, La Mar de Músicas has promoted a specific contextualization course dedicated to the guest country. Under the title Ecuador, the heartbeat of the four worldsthe political scientist and intercultural mediator Sara María Cutiopala Alulema has offered a tour of the history, cultural diversity, languages, traditions and contemporary reality of the Andean country.
The Ecuadorian presence even reaches official image of the festival. The artist Mar Figueroaan internationally recognized illustrator for her work for The New York Times and The Washington Post and highlighted by Forbes among the most influential young creators in the artistic field, signs the poster announcing this edition. A work inspired by the Andean heritage whose legend has been developed by the Cartagena designer Pepo Devesa.
Geography of the 2026 music programming
The Sea of Music maintains intact its ability to turn Cartagena into a meeting point between cultures. America will have a particularly prominent presence beyond Ecuador.
From Brazil they will arrive Gilsonsdirect heirs of the legacy of Gilberto Gil. Also the delicate proposal of Mari Froes. Colombia will be represented by Monsieur Perine. Argentina It will come thanks to the elegant pop of Bándalos Chinos. Mexico will contribute two of the most unique voices on the continent. Silvana Estrada and Lila Downs.
The closing of the festival will be carried out by Ruben Blades next to the Roberto Delgado Big Band. The Panamanian musician will return to Cartagena to review a career that has turned albums like Siembra and songs like Pedro Navaja either Plastic in essential pieces of Ibero-American culture.
Africa will once again occupy a central place within the festival. The opening will finally feature Oumou Sangare. One of the great voices of the continent and an artist especially linked to the history of La Mar de Músicas. Next to her will be the Gambian Sona Jobartehfirst woman internationally recognized as a kora teacher. Also the Cape Verdean electronics of Fidju Kitxora. The mestizo universe of Rachid B, the folk sensibility of Alice Phoebe Lou. The Vis a Vis project promoted by Casa África was selected this year Virginie Dembelea new and eclectic proposal from Mali.
Europe He will not miss the appointment either. The Greek Σtella will show the most contemporary side of Mediterranean pop. Portugal will be represented by Carminhoone of the great innovators of fado. Italy will arrive with two especially stimulating proposals. The expansive electronics of Mind Enterprises and the hybrid universe of The Girlwho receives Paco Martín Global Music Award 2026.
National programming will once again have a prominent weight. Silvia Perez Cruz will be in charge of opening the festival, celebrating thirty years of artistic career and presenting new repertoire accompanied by extensive training. Some of the most interesting names in current Spanish music will also pass through Cartagena. Maria Arnal He will debut his new solo stage. Xoel Lopez, Rodrigo Cuevas, Judeline, pablopablo, Bewis de la Rosa, Moss and Maria Marin They complete a representation that combines experience, creative risk and new sensibilities.
Special mention deserves the presence of Child from Elche and Raul Refreetwo artists used to challenging labels and stylistic boundaries. Also the farewell tour of Mrs. Tomasaone of the most celebrated bands of state fusion in recent years. Added to them Gregotechnoone of the most unique proposals of this edition thanks to its particular encounter between Gregorian chant and electronics.
The Murcian scene will also have a significant presence. Hoonine, Nervous system, Joseluis and The calves They will share the bill with some of the most prominent figures on the national and international scene.
Lila Downs and La Niña, awarded this year
If we had to summarize the philosophy of this edition through two artists, we would probably have to look at Lila Downs and La Niña. The Mexican artist will receive the La Mar de Músicas Award 2026. A recognition reserved for figures capable of building bridges between cultures and musical traditions. Throughout his career, Lila Downs He has built a work where popular Mexican music, indigenous languages, jazz and world music coexist. All this accompanied by a firm commitment to the rights of women and indigenous communities. For its part, The Girl you will receive the Paco Martín Global Music Award 2026. The project of the Neapolitan Carola Moccia has become one of the revelations of the new European scene thanks to a proposal that combines Mediterranean tradition, electronics, pop and sound experimentation. A perfect example of how roots music can dialogue with the future without losing identity.
Almost half the world fits between the voice of Oumou Sangaré and the literary sauce of Rubén Blades. Also the Andean music of Ecuador. The new Spanish pop. Mediterranean traditions. African electronics. And the new Latin American currents. That continues to be, thirty-one years later, the great virtue of La Mar de Músicas. Turn Cartagena into a place where borders disappear for nine days and where music functions as a common language capable of connecting very different territories, generations and cultures. An idea that this year finds in Ecuador a perfect compass to continue traveling.
