30 Years of Toledo as a UNESCO World Heritage City

September arrives, and we are not talking about back-to-school, but the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Toledo as a UNESCO World Heritage City. The city council has prepared a month full of events, including literature, music, art, outreach, and of course, the faithful companion of any celebration-gastronomy. The goal of this Cultural September 2017 is, according to the words of the deputy mayor and councilor of culture of the capital of Castilla-La Mancha, González Cabezas, to make "the city buzz and come alive" during this anniversary. Among the cultural and recreational events that will take place are the following:

This program kicks off in a very poetic way with the V International Poetry Festival "Voix Vives" taking place on September 1, 2, and 3, featuring performances by Paco Ibáñez, the festival's patron, and Carmen Linares, a flamenco singer, at the Teatro de Rojas. Additionally, it will include participation from 40 poets from up to 15 nationalities, offering 50 readings per day.

The second weekend, from September 8 to 10, a historical and heritage review will be presented through the cultural richness of the city in "Luz Toledo," a luminescent and sound spectacle, with the fundamental element being the image of Hercules showcased on the façade of the Toledo Cathedral.

From September 14 to 17, the twentieth edition of the International Jazz Festival will take place, culminating with a performance by a major international figure whose identity has not yet been revealed.

From September 18 to 23, the Sephardic Week will take place under the slogan "The Diaspora," offering free guided tours through the Jewish quarter and synagogues, concerts of Sephardic music, open house days, workshops, and many other activities.

With a special dedication to teenagers and a wide range of musical, sports, and awareness-raising proposals, the XX Youth Week will come to Toledo from September 22 to October 1.

In the culinary realm, there will be 3 key days: September 8, 15, and 22, as the "Blind Dinners" return, taking place in venues of high heritage value that will not be revealed to diners until the last moment.

Wine experts and enthusiasts will gather on September 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30 for "Sunset Wine" to taste the best wines from the region in a special atmosphere, with the sunsets of Toledo as a backdrop.

To complete these gastronomic plans, on Saturday, September 30, the Second International Ham Cutting Championship 'City of Toledo' will be held in the plaza of the Town Hall.

The Royal Academy of Fine Arts and Historical Sciences of Toledo in San Marcos will host another conference in the "Other Protagonists" series on September 7 titled "Imperial Toledo: a City of Rogues and Tricksters," which will delve into the biographies of lesser-known prominent figures from Toledo in the 16th and 17th centuries.

On September 16, there will be an Open Doors Day for Unknown Heritage, allowing visitors to learn about the Bronze Age settlement on the Cerro del Bu (rocky hill located across the Tagus River).

The final highlight of this cultural event, suitable for all audiences, will feature the Orchestra and Choir of the Teatro Real in Madrid at the El Greco Music Festival on the 24th at the Primatial Cathedral, along with the exhibition "Dreamed Imbalance," by Burgos painter Almudena Abad, from September 1 to 28 at San Marcos.