Festival Contract Tendered with Increased Funding

The Provincial Council of Huesca (DPH) has unanimously approved a new public tender for the organisation of the Pirineos Sur International Cultures Festival, which takes place annually in the Lanuza Natural Auditorium in the Tena Valley. The decision was ratified at an extraordinary plenary session on Tuesday 15 September 2026, with the tender officially published on the European contracting platform on Wednesday 16 September. The new contract has an initial duration of two years, covering the 2027 and 2028 editions, with the possibility of two one-year extensions. Its estimated value has been raised to 6.2 million euros, reflecting a commitment to improving the festival’s infrastructure, services, and artistic programme.

Enhanced Accessibility and Transport Measures

A key innovation in the tender is the mandatory inclusion of round-trip collective transport as part of the festival ticket. This measure aims to streamline access to the remote Lanuza site, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainable attendance. Additionally, the tender explicitly allows for the development of a joint mobility and accessibility plan, to be agreed between the DPH, the Sallent de Gállego City Council, and the future contractor. This will focus on improving access for people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

This new tender is launched to improve the quality of the festival, but also out of responsibility and commitment as a government team to Pirineos Sur, to the Tena Valley, and to all the people who make this cultural event possible every summer.

Carlos Sampériz, the provincial deputy for Culture, said the aim is for Pirineos Sur to “remain a benchmark festival, with a more solid organization, better services, and an ambitious cultural program, open to the world and connected to the territory.”

Artistic Standards and International Focus Maintained

The tender reinforces the festival’s international character by requiring that at least five of the six headline acts each year be international artists. The artistic programme must also be diverse, varied, and innovative, preserving the festival’s reputation for global cultural exchange. Pirineos Sur has gained significant recognition in recent years, winning the Tourist Merit Medal of Aragón, the Musical Destination of the Year at the TIIM Awards, and the Best Cultural Project of Aragón in 2025. In 2026, it was named the Best Medium-Format Festival in Spain at the Iberian Festival Awards.

Political Criticism Over Process

The PSOE group at the Provincial Council criticised the timing and transparency of the process. They stated that President Isaac Claver called the plenary session with less than 24 hours’ notice, bypassing normal procedures. The socialists also noted that the Culture Commission has not met for seven months, raising concerns about governance and dialogue.

Reported by cope.es.

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