Barcelona, a vibrant city rich in culture, becomes the epicentre of the international art scene every summer thanks to the Grec Festival. This event, which covers various disciplines such as theatre, dance, music and circus, stands as a cultural jewel that attracts lovers of the performing arts from all over the world.

The prestigious festival takes its name from the Teatre Grec, an open-air amphitheatre built for the 1929 Universal Exposition on Montjuïc mountain. Initially, it was the only venue for the festival, but over time, it has expanded, embracing various theatres, cultural facilities and public spaces.

We invite you to explore the history of this outstanding artistic event, closely linked to the era of the dictatorship, to understand its impact on the Barcelona arts and its futuristic approach, always connected to new trends and global concerns. Over time, it has also managed to establish itself as one of the most sustainable festivals in the city.

History and evolution of the Grec Festival

In the years before the reestablishment of democracy, Barcelona witnessed the emergence of an independent and innovative theatre that challenged the conventional on the billboard at that time. This movement, led by the Assembly of Actors and Directors, marked the birth of the Teatre Grec as a self-managed stage.

In record time, this group organised a summer season that broke the mould and was a resounding success with the public in 1976. After the 1978 edition, they handed over the organisation to Barcelona City Council, coinciding with the first post-dictatorship municipal elections. From that moment on, the Grec consolidated itself as a cultural reference in the city.

From the Teatre Lliure to the Picasso Museum, the city is filled with culture

In addition to the Teatre Grec, the festival has performances at the Teatre Lliure, founded in 1976, with venues in Montjuic and Gracia; the Mercat de les Flors, built in 1929, with three rooms that promote dance and expressive arts; the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, designed by Ricard Bofill, inaugurated in 1996;  L’Auditori, the work of Rafael Moneo inaugurated in 1999, the headquarters of the Barcelona and National Symphony Orchestra of Catalonia, the Higher School of Music and the Music Museum.

This artistic event also uses spaces such as the Teatre Romea and unusual places such as the Biblioteca de Catalunya, MACBA, the Picasso Museum, the Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona or the Joan Miró Foundation, among many others. In total, up to forty different venues reward the city with the best performing arts.

Immerse yourself in the Grec experience

The Grec Festival has a dual mission when offering a unique experience to lovers of the performing arts. On one hand, it is committed to Catalan creativity, supporting local groups and artists by producing high-quality shows. On the other hand, it also offers the most interesting ideas from international stages.

The Grec immerses itself annually in the search for captivating works, becoming a vibrant showcase that projects the cultural diversity of Barcelona worldwide. Likewise, it has achieved the status as the main reference in Catalonia for the presentation of world-renowned shows.

In favour of current issues

Annually, the event selects a central theme that permeates the entire proposal. In 2023, collectivity was the main focus, exploring how group consciousness enriches individual qualities. The program promoted synergies between various disciplines, especially emphasising the circus and choral groups.

The concerns of contemporary society are significantly reflected in the selected works. Topics such as nature conservation, the role of women, the aftermath of wars, the need to give a voice to people at risk of exclusion and the growing presence of artificial intelligence are addressed. In addition, artists committed to their projects are fully supported, to set the stage for the creative future of the performing arts.

Finally, it is worth highlighting Grec’s commitment to sustainability. The festival has implemented measures to reduce its CO2 emissions, offsetting them through the Clean CO2 seal. It also provides free shuttle buses and a bicycle service to the public, eliminates printed programs using QR codes, and promotes recycling, among other eco-friendly practices.