Por Redaccion VESU strengthens collaboration between councils and becomes another argument for Oviedo to become the European Capital of Culture. This was evident this morning at Kuiwi Almacenes during the presentation of this year’s Vetusta Suena Festival (VESU), attended by Oviedo Mayor, Alfredo Canteli; Ribera de Arriba Mayor, Tomás Manuel Fernández Muñiz; the Director General of Linguistic Policy and Cultural Action of the Principality, Antón García; and VESU director, Íñigo Domínguez.
The Mayor of Oviedo began by recalling that «Oviedo is striving to become the European Capital of Culture in 2031, an ambitious project with a strong regional focus. Achieving this will undoubtedly benefit Oviedo and, by extension, all of Asturias. We are aware that it will be a complex journey, which is why we have not wanted to go it alone. We are pooling efforts with other Asturian municipalities and institutions, with the certainty that it will be beneficial for everyone. And what brings us here today is further evidence of that commitment: our collaboration with the neighboring municipality of Ribera de Arriba for the organization of the Vesu Festival, which will take place from June 20 to 22. Tomás, I deeply appreciate your support; not only for this specific event but in general, as you are always willing to collaborate and understand. And thanks also, of course, to Íñigo Domínguez, organizer of VESU, for continuing to choose our city to showcase music and culture. This Festival, now in its sixth edition, will be a major attraction of the candidacy we are developing. Vesu’s commitment to independent culture and emerging groups, giving visibility to different artistic sensibilities, makes it a unique event. Very different from what we usually find in the music and festival scene. Positioning Oviedo and Ribera de Arriba as a destination of reference where you can find an interesting alternative offer, full of musical nuances.»
Canteli has once again «fearlessly» embraced the «new cultural scenarios and our great capacity for collaboration with other Asturian municipalities to create successful synergies» and has concluded by inviting «everyone to enjoy this event, already marked in red on our cultural calendar. Because, as you know, there is no summer without Vesu.» Íñigo Domínguez has noted that in 2025 VESU celebrates its sixth edition and that «it was the first cultural activity carried out during the pandemic. We started in 2020 with a firm commitment to recover spaces like this one, the Fábrica de Armas, the Jardines de la Rodriga. Today, Roberto Rodríguez Redondo will be here, the artist we will collaborate with this year… without forgetting the Oviedo City Council and also Ribera de Arriba. We are a family-friendly festival, so this year there will also be a pass for children.» Artist Roberto Rodríguez Redondo has highlighted the commitment «beyond music and emerging music, the collaboration with artists, in this case Asturian. I take over from Juan Díaz Faes, from the sister city of Avilés.»
Closing the round of speeches, the Mayor of Ribera de Arriba, Tomás Fernández, began his intervention by stating: «Public and private collaboration is in fashion. Everyone talks about it, but in practice, there is still much to be done. Most of the time, it remains in the expression because it sounds quite good. However, in my City Council, companies, associations, institutions, and residents are all united. Because we all need each other, and things work out much better that way. And I also believe that common sense doesn’t understand acronyms or colors. Alfredo, as you and I always say, politics is one thing, colors another. Municipalism is, above all, common sense.» According to the mayor of the neighboring council, «Culture moves the world and is a vehicle that also does not understand political acronyms. That is why the Oviedo City Council and Ribera de Arriba believe that it must be promoted without any reservations. Today we are at this VESU Festival presentation, which, although it means Vetusta Suena, the name has now fallen short because Oviedo has gained a little brother that also sounds and is called Ribera de Arriba. For a small municipality to share a festival with Oviedo is a great joy. I always say that Oviedo casts a shadow on us, but it also brings us a lot. And this is an example of that, the organization of this festival between both councils. Alfredo can count on me for whatever you need, and, of course, for that Capital of Culture. Ribera de Arriba is a stone’s throw away and is an ideal complement as a rural area next door to collaborate on these initiatives and others that may come our way soon. Always with Culture.»