A select grid of national and international artists, on the “San Pedro del Durazno” stage, will delight thousands of people over the three days, on Friday the 16th, Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of February, with completely free admission, a decision of the Municipality of Durazno, as a way to repay the support of all Durazno residents for the historic festival.
In parallel, the Twenty-third edition of the gaucho meeting organized by the “Carlos Reyles” Creole Society will be held in the arena of the Parque de la Hispanidad.
But throughout the month the big Events come together in Durazno: on Saturday, February 3, the 34th edition of the first Calls of the Interior of the country takes place, with the participation of troupes from all over the interior, which will parade through the streets of the city and will culminate in the Monument and Plaza de las Llamadas...
On Saturday the 10th at the Parque de la Hispanidad, the most joyful genre of music will be in Durazno, with the Movida Tropical 2024, in a show with free admission and the best bands from the country and abroad.
At the end of the month, the rural sector joins with the city in one of the oldest and most excellent proposals in the department of Durazno. With the holding from February 22 to 25, of the 110th edition of EXPO DURAZNO, organized by the Sociedad Rural de Durazno (SRD) at its Santa Bernardina location.
At the launch held at the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), Minister Tabaré Viera highlighted that “February in Durazno” is synonymous with Tourism and that is why MINTUR declared them festive activities of National Tourist Interest. “This type of meeting tourism and events are very interesting because they move thousands of people,” the leader noted.
In this sense, Viera maintained that these activities, in addition to being a cultural expression, have the great virtue that they attract an audience from throughout the national territory, from the regions, and also beyond the borders, who are attracted by a “Impressive grid and many are coming to Durazno for the first time,” he remarked.
Likewise, Viera maintained that the visitor who arrives for the first time in the region not only enjoys the festival or event, but also goes out to get to know the destination and “see what other things there are to do,” such as taking a tour of its beaches, knowing its gastronomy, its crafts, everything that the destination offers and that is precisely what we try to promote together with the departmental governments,” Viera summarized.
For his part, the mayor of Durazno, Carmelo Vidalín, pointed out that “February is a very special month for Durazno. On this occasion, on the occasion of the 50 years of the National Folklore Festival, we developed another series of activities that will begin on February 3, with the Calls from the Interior and will continue throughout the month."
In relation to the Calls, Vidalín communicated the financial prizes that will be awarded:
The first prize will be $400,000, the second prize is $330,000, the third prize is $300,000, the 4th prize is $180,000, the 5th prize is $150,000 and the 6th to the 10th prize is $85,000.
In addition, prizes will be awarded for best Drum String $50,000, best Dance Corps $35,000, best Old Mama and Gramillero $20,000, best Vedette $15,000, best Dancer $15,000, best Models $10,000, among other prizes.
Regarding the tropical scene that will take place in the Parque de la Hispanidad, Vidalín highlighted the performance of Karina La Princesita, Sonido Profesional, Caracol, Nico Conca and Herederos. In addition, the community leader expressed that during the week, other activities will be carried out in the remodeled Spanish Theater Cultural Center.
In relation to the 50th edition of the National Folklore Festival and 23rd edition of the Gaucho Encounter, Vidalín pointed out that it will be free and highlighted the presence on stage of the following artists: Carlos Malo, Dúo Cantaclaro, Los del Suquía, Anita Valiente, el Chaqueño Palavecino, Lucas Sugo, Carlos Alberto Rodríguez, Juan Carlos López with Emanuel Calero, Cacho Labandera, Copla Alta, Carlos Vives, Catherine Vergnes, the Duraznense group Meta Fuelle, Rumbo norte de Tacuarembó, Wendy Romero, Destino San Javier, Jorge Nasser, Soledad and Los Palmeras.
And finally, Vidalín highlighted that from February 22 to 25, he will accompany the Durazno Rural Society, with the Durazno Expo, a prelude to the Prado Rural Exhibition, of which he highlighted that it not only carries out an agricultural livestock activity, but also They also carry out social work “that for us has a value of transcendence and importance,” he concluded.
For his part, the former mayor of Durazno, Raúl Iturria, recalled that during the times of Lavalleja and Rivera, Durazno was “the capital of the Republic” because it was in the center of the country.
In relation to the Folklore Festival, which he himself started, he recalled: "We wanted it to be a way to promote the department, to give new artists an opportunity and give the town of Durazno a quality show at popular prices."
Iturria said that “although the tasks of the Municipality are of a material nature in many cases, it is also necessary to provide great food for the soul, which is through culture, in this case folklore (popular and fundamental) and the traditions.”
The former leader also said that this festival was the seedbed of Uruguayan festivals, such as Olimar in Treinta y Tres, he concluded.
A whole month to Enjoy Durazno!