Ortigueira (Galicia), Spain - Festival Ortigueira 2005 will be held July 8 - 10. In addition to its usual Celtic content, the festival will also feature world music acts. One of the highlights this year will be Irish band Lúnasa, representing the Celtic nations. In total there will be over 96 hours of live music. Other Celtic acts featured include Gatos del Fornu (Asturias, Spain), Bagad Kemper (Brittany, France) and Phil Cunningham & Aly Bain (Scotland).

Turkish act Mercan Dede, who was scheduled to perform at Ortigueira, surprisingly cancelled his Spanish tour.

The Mediterranean and its roots music will be represented by Slovenian band Terrafolk, Radio Tarifa (Spain) and I Muvrini (Corsica, France).

There will also be a tribute to Galician emigration. Galician band Luar Na Lubre, will introduce its new musical work along with Ialma, a group formed by Galician Belgian female singers.

Program - Estrella Galicia Stage:

Friday, July 8, 21:30h (free)

Escola de gaitas de Ortigueira (Galicia, Spain)
Ialma (Galicia- Belgium)
Terrafolk (Slovenia)
Gatos del Fornu (Asturias, Spain)

Saturday July 9, 21:30h (free)

Bagad Kemper (Brittany, France)
Radio Tarifa (Madrid, Spain)
Luar na Lubre + Invitados (Galicia, Spain)
Lunasa (Ireland)

Sunday, July 9, 21:30h (free)

Dominic Graham School of Irish Dance (Ireland)
Phil Cunningham + Aly Bain (Scotland, UK)
I Muvrini (Corsica, France)
Romano Drom (Hungary)
Os Diplomáticos + Invitados (Galicia, Spain)

For more information go to www.festivaldeortigueira.com.

[Photos: 1 - Lunasa, 2- Ialma].