About Us - Our mission
La Rioja Festival is an initiative of the Cuerdas en Común Association, founded and led by the guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas, for the national and international promotion of La Rioja, the development of the classical guitar and the dynamization of the rural world.

The cornerstones of La Rioja Festival
- Concerts: internationally renowned artists, as well as local ensembles, always prioritizing artistic quality.
- Experiences: revolving around heritage, culture, wine, gastronomy, crafts, the Camino and nature in La Rioja.
- Without Borders: activities for children and youths from all over La Rioja.
- Promoting the guitar: yearly premiere of a work for Spanish classical guitar, commissioned by Cuerdas en Común.
Our Mission
- To showcase La Rioja nationally and internationally through classical music: highlighting the cultural identity and the noble and universal values of La Rioja that inspire the world.
- To bring classical music to new audiences: urban, rural and young people.
- To use music as a social means of integration, awareness, inspiration and education through socio-educational activities.


Our Values
- Educating and inspiring through music.
- Promoting models of responsible and sustainable cultural tourism.
- A commitment to quality, excellence and social, cultural and business development.
Our team
Pablo Sainz-Villegas, artistic director
Sara Illana Arias, technical director
Tati Rodríguez-Moroy, director of marketing and development
Melisa Zaganjori, head of administration
To develop each edition we work with:
Grupo Criteria, production/coordination
DM Rural, technical production
Carla Tovar, Experience Management
Lles, design and web
Casa de los periodistas, press
MBH, national press
Álvaro Sainz, video
Rafael Lafuente, photography
Teresa Balmaseda, artists assistant
Sonosfera, lighting and sound
