Pianos will once again be heard on the streets of Bilbao

"The “Tu ciudad se llena de pianos" (Your city is full of pianos) initiative is supported by Bilbao City Council, as well as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Alhóndiga Bilbao and the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa (BOS). "

On 21 June Bilbao will be the host city of the “Your city is full of pianos” initiative organised by Fundación Occident, of GCO (Grupo Catalana Occidente), and the Maria Canals International Music Competition. Bilbao's locals and visitors can enjoy live music at the eight grand pianos placed in some of the city's most iconic locations.

The “Tu ciudad se llena de pianos" (Your city is full of pianos) initiative is supported by Bilbao City Council, as well as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Alhóndiga Bilbao and the Bilbao Orkestra Sinfonikoa (BOS).

The eight pianos will be available between 11 am and 8 pm to professional musicians, music students, amateur musicians, teachers and students, children, and anyone else who wants to enjoy this unique and enriching initiative.

The eight pianos will be located in the following spots:

1.- Plaza Nueva

2.- Ribera Market

3.- Plaza Profesionales Sanitarios (health professionals square)

4.- Azkuna Zentroa Alhondiga Bilbao

5.- Guggenheim Museum

6.- Diputación/Arbieto

7.- Plaza Teatro Arriaga

8.- Plaza Indautxu

The day's highlights can be shared on social media through photos, videos and messages with the hashtag #PianosBilbao.

The “Your city is full of pianos” project invites the public to engage with, activate and take ownership of their urban environment through music. It is one of the leading activities organised jointly by Fundación Occident and the Maria Canals Competition to bring music closer to the entire Spanish population.

“Your city is full of pianos returns to Bilbao after six years, a city that welcomed us with enthusiasm and where we would love to come back to every year. We are convinced that the message of democratising access to music and, specifically to the piano, is going to have a very positive impact on all the participants. The city of Bilbao is very important to us as we collaborate closely with institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, the BOS and the Biobizkaia Institute. In the autumn we are starting a new musical project, ¡Me toca! (my turn to play) in this case in the Otxarkoaga-Txurdinaga neighbourhood, where we would also love to see new fans of the piano emerging,” affirms the director of Fundación Occident, Ignacio Gallardo-Bravo.

Furthermore, Jordi Vivancos, director of the Maria Canals Competition, stresses the importance of this project through which “we have brought music and the piano closer to the whole of society as well as helping us to encourage particpation in the Maria Canals International Music Competition”. 

 

The close collaboration between Fundación Occident and the Maria Canals Competition has allowed this cultural activity to take place in cities all over Spain, including Barcelona, Madrid, Bilbao, Seville, Cádiz, Málaga, Salamanca, Toledo, Santiago de Compostela, Valencia, León, Granada, San Sebastián, Zaragoza, Cáceres, Santander, Córdoba, Palma de Mallorca and Valladolid. After Bilbao, the initiative will be taking place in Girona on 4 October 2024.