Guitaralde - Guitaraldia

Guitaralde: Guitar at the heart of Hendaye

Since 2012, the Guitaralde festival (“Guitaraldia” in Basque) has made Hendaye vibrate to the sound of the guitar in all its forms. Created by Hendaye guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay, artistic director of the festival, Guitaralde has become a must-attend event for lovers of guitar and world music.

A Festival Open to All Styles

The originality of Guitaralde lies in its openness to all guitar styles: jazz, rock, folk, blues, classical, flamenco, world music. Each edition offers an eclectic program, mixing established artists and discoveries, in a spirit of cultural diversity and musical encounters. The program reflects Hendaye's cross-border identity, at the crossroads of Basque, French, and Spanish cultures.

Iconic Venues

Concerts are held in several emblematic venues in Hendaye:

• Halles de Gaztelu: 1 rue de la Halle, Hendaye — Evening concerts
• Place de la République: Open-air concerts
• Les Variétés Cinema: Screenings and special events

The Guitaralde Association

The festival is co-organized by the City of Hendaye and the Guitaralde association, chaired by Frédéric Aribit since the festival's inception. In partnership with the Hendaye Tourist Office, the event contributes to the city's cultural influence and the animation of the early summer season on the Basque Coast.

Masterclasses and Meetings

Beyond the concerts, Guitaralde offers masterclasses led by renowned guitarists, giving amateur and professional musicians the opportunity to deepen their practice and interact with top artists. These workshops contribute to the educational and friendly dimension of the festival.