The 67th edition of the International Classical Theater Festival of Mérida throws record figures: on 26 nights the 'no tickets' poster was hung up, for a maximum capacity allowed 75% foreseen in the anticovid measures. In the revenues provided by the box office, an approximate surplus of 400,000 euros has been obtained with a total collection close to the two million euros (1,917,750.55 euros). 81,000 people attended the nine shows scheduled at the Roman Theater of Mérida, seven of them theatrical assemblies.
When the director of the festival, Jesús Cimarro, came to Mérida in 2012, the global assistance was 52,000 people and the accumulated deficit exceeded four million euros. Those figures contrast with the current situation, and that in these last two summers, taking into account the pandemic, the total capacity of the Roman Theater -3,100 people as the maximum - has been reduced by 1,000 spectators to meet sanitary measures: "Never We have exceeded 72% of public in the stands to make it safer, "explained cimarro. Thus, it is worth highlighting the success of Golfus of Rome, with Carlos Latre, who recorded 10 full in 10 functions. Antonio and Cleopatra, Oedipus and the supplicants also filled out in their five representations, achieved for the first time in history the figure of 20 consecutive functions with full grades.
"It has been shown that the public is avid of theater and show in general," the director of this festival was declared in the presentation of the Competition Balance. In this sense, he has insisted that these figures demonstrate the "great strength" of the Emeritan Festival, and the social value of his "Proposal for Culture, Leisure and Quality Entertainment with all safety guarantees."
For the Vizcaín producer, the Emeritante appointment has gained relevance "as one of the most important cultural events in Spain," and it has stressed that in this edition the average age of the attendees, which was at 44 years old. "We have won the presence of young people," something in what Mérida "wants to influence" in order to "sow and invest" for the future.
In this sense, Guillermo Fernández Vara, president of the Junta de Extremadura, has highlighted that the success of Mérida is not only good for his community but also for "culture in our country". The festival has generated during the almost two months of its programming -The June 25 to August 22- 750 direct jobs. In total, they have been 147,181 people who have enjoyed some of the scheduled activities, which has also included theatrical representations in Medellín, Regina and Cáparra.
Date Of Update: 04 September 2021, 16:24
