NOTICIAS DE MADRID

EASTER Madrid has lined up an extensive religious and cultural programme to celebrate Holy Week. In the city centre, traditional processions will showcase the carved images and sculptures that brotherhoods have been preparing all year round. The most popular processions include Cristo de los Alabarderos, María Santísima del Dulce Nombre, Nuestro Padre Jesús del Gran Poder and María Santísima de la Esperanza, as well as Divino Cautivo, Hermandad del Silencio and Jesús Nazareno de Medinaceli. During Easter, Madrid’s churches will also be hosting a series of concerts of sacred music. The Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Atocha, the Parish Church of Santa Cruz and the Pontifical Basilica of San Miguel, among others, are promoting this initiative alongside Madrid City Council. The tamborrada (drum procession) will be setting the soundtrack to Easter Sunday, with loud rolling drums bringing Madrid’s Holy Week to a close. To round off this unique experience in Madrid, locals and visitors alike can indulge in traditional Easter treats and enjoy the countless cultural offerings the capital has in store. More info   New exhibitions along the Art Walk This spring, several new exhibitions are opening in April at the three museums that line one of the capital’s most notable cultural benchmarks: the Art Walk. The Prado Museum hosts Visions of the Hispanic World. Treasures from the Hispanic Society of America; the Reina Sofía Museum brings us Pity and Terror. Picasso’s Path to Guernica and Kobro and Strzemiński; while Rafael Moneo. Theory Through Practice. Archive Materials (1961-2016)will be on show at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. More info Madrid, capital of peace From 19 to 21 April, Madrid will be hosting the World Forum on Urban Violence and Education for Coexistence and Peace, which seeks to highlight the actions implemented by local governments and citizens to root out violence in cities. Mayors from all over the world will be taking part, alongside NGOs, international organisations, and social and education institutions. La Nave (former Boetticher factory) is the chosen venue for this new event designed to bring people together and foster deep thought as it promotes coexistence and peace through shared experiences. More info     Rock'n'Roll Marathon This athletics competition boasts one of the most spectacular routes on the international sporting calendar. On 23 April, the streets of Madrid will host another edition of the Rock'n'Roll Marathon (also known as the Madrid Fun Run). There will be live music performances on over 20 stages along the course, a finish line festival, a parallel 10 km race and a half marathon. What’s more, runners along the route can take in some of the city’s most iconic spots, including the Royal Palace, Casa de Campo Park and Madrid Río Park. More info       Totem by Cirque du Soleil Madrid welcomes Cirque du Soleil’s latest spectacle,Totem. Written and directed by Robert Lepage, this new production traces human evolution, dreams and the infinite potential of the human being. Stunning circus techniques and choreographies trace the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The show won the 2013 New York City Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Unique Theatrical Experience, and features a 46-strong cast comprising acrobats, actors, musicians and singers from 16 countries. Totem opens on 10 November at the Puerta del Ángel Outdoor Stage. More info           esMADRIDmagazine To discover what leading cultural and leisure offerings Madrid has in store this April, check out the latest edition of esMADRIDmagazine. Packed with useful information on what’s on in the capital, this month the city’s tourism publication features  Easter, the Rock'n'Roll Marathon, the Forum on Urban Violence, and the main events of the 400th anniversary of Plaza Mayor. Other cultural highlights include the Zip series at Teatro Español; the premiere of the opera Bomarzo at the Teatro Real opera house; the theatre plays for babies entitled Rompiendo el Cascarón (Breaking the Shell) at Teatro Fernán Gómez; the Madrid Exquisito culinary meeting; and the Héroes Manga fair. More info