Valls Hosts Children's Cantata 'A Song to the Stars'

The town of Valls, in Catalonia's Tarragona province, will host the children's cantata "Un Cant als Estels" (A Song to the Stars) on 11 May. Primary school pupils from various local schools and the wider Tarragona area will perform in the production, which combines live music, theatre, and a large children's choir.

This marks the third consecutive year Valls City Council has participated in the cantata initiative. The project is driven by Petit Taller de Cançons and the Pau Casals Learning Centre, part of the Generalitat's Department of Education. The Valls performances are organised jointly by the City Council's departments of Culture, Education, Linguistic Policy, Equality, and Feminisms.

Performances in Valls

The Valls premiere will take place on Sunday, 11 May, at the Municipal Cultural Centre. There will be two sessions: one at 12pm and another at 6pm. The show features 11 songs exploring different forms of love throughout life, inviting the audience to follow the journey of "La Vida" (Life), a character travelling the universe to recover the word "estimar" (to love), which has been destroyed and scattered among the stars.

The production includes musicians, actors, and immersive set design, promising an engaging experience for all ages. Tickets for the Valls shows can be reserved in advance.

Educational Impact and Regional Reach

"Un Cant als Estels: el viatge pels amors perduts" (A Song to the Stars: The Journey for Lost Loves) follows the success of last year's cantata, "La Veu de la Terra" (The Voice of the Earth), which involved over 5,000 students across Catalonia. This year's production will tour more than ten cities, including Barcelona, El Vendrell, Salou, Sallent, Lleida, Reus, and La Ràpita, in addition to Valls.

Beyond the stage, "Un Cant als Estels" is integrated into classroom learning. Over 2,000 students, 71 teachers in training, and 60 educational centres are involved. This project focuses on emotional management, inclusion, and creativity, forming part of an educational programme that promotes emotional well-being, a gender perspective, and quality education in languages and arts. A dedicated website provides all necessary preparation materials, including scores, texts, videos, and other teaching resources.

The collaboration behind the project includes the Pau Casals Learning Centre, the musical group Petit Taller de Cançons, and the theatre company Fes-t'ho com Vulguis.