Navarra’s Celia Carrasco Blends Poetry and Music in Award-Winning ‘Simas de Aliento’
The Government of Navarre’s commitment to fostering artistic talent has blossomed with the release of ‘Simas de Aliento’ (Breaths of the Caves) by Celia Carrasco. This poetic-musical work, born from the 2024 Promotion of Artistic Talent Award, is already garnering attention for its innovative fusion of voice, music, and the written word.
A Rising Star in Navarra’s Cultural Landscape
Celia Carrasco, a young author from Tudela, presents a poetic universe enriched by musical accompaniment in ‘Simas de Aliento’. The project was officially presented with the participation of Rebeca Esnaola, the Regional Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, highlighting the government’s dedication to supporting emerging artists.
Esnaola described the work as “a great project that deserves to be enjoyed calmly,” emphasizing Carrasco’s ability to inspire reflection through her writing. She also praised the author’s “use of the word as a transformative force” and her “rich and diverse poetic and cultural imagination with classical and contemporary influences.”
The Power of the Promotion of Artistic Talent Award
The Promotion of Artistic Talent Award serves as a crucial platform for young creatives in Navarra. The award provides not just financial support, but also a commitment to facilitating the realization of artistic projects. This initiative aims to serve as a reference point for youth and support the visibility and professionalization of emerging talent within the community.
Previous recipients of the award have included dancer Martxel Rodríguez with ‘Esquicio’, Iban Carmona’s ‘Reflejos’, soprano Sofía Esparza’s album, and the audiovisual work of writer Laura Chivite. The award’s impact extends beyond individual projects, contributing to a vibrant and evolving artistic ecosystem in the region. Ane Saguës is slated to present her project as the next award recipient.
A Sonic Exploration of Navarra’s Landscape
‘Simas de Aliento’ is structured around four sections – ‘Gruta del ser’ (Cave of Being), ‘Ecosistema’ (Ecosystem), ‘Tocar-para-creer’ (Touch-to-Believe), and ‘Memoria del salitre’ (Memory of Saltpeter) – each containing eighteen poems. The work explores themes of the desert landscape, the resonance of forests, nocturnal matter, and the light of silence.
The book and accompanying CD feature a unique interplay between poetry and music. The preludio and coda, composed by Carrasco herself, are sung a cappella by six vocalists from the Pamplona Chamber Choir: Marta Huarte (soprano), Ana Olaso (mezzo), Aitziber Etxarri (alto), David Echeverría (tenor), José Antonio Hoyos (baritone), and Sergi Moreno-Lasalle (bass). The preludio draws inspiration from the Bardenas Reales of Navarra, while the coda poses an open question through song.
Literary Echoes and Artistic Dialogue
Carrasco’s work demonstrates a clear dialogue with literary giants. The book opens with quotes from Jorge Guillén and Clara Janés, and throughout its pages, the author engages with the works of Hugo Mujica, Edmond Jabès, Olvido García Valdés, Chantal Maillard, Ada Salas, José Ángel Valente, Roberto Juarroz, Alfredo Saldaña, Luis Cernuda, and Gonzalo Rojas.
The CD includes a complete reading of the poems by Celia Carrasco Gil, complemented by the musical interpretations of the Pamplona Chamber Choir, under the artistic direction and technical assembly of David Gálvez Pintado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is ‘Simas de Aliento’?
A: It’s a poetic-musical work by Celia Carrasco, created as a result of the 2024 Promotion of Artistic Talent Award from the Government of Navarre.
Q: Who is Celia Carrasco?
A: She is a young poet from Tudela, Navarra, whose work blends poetry, music, and voice.
Q: What is the Promotion of Artistic Talent Award?
A: It’s an award given by the Government of Navarre to support emerging artists and facilitate the creation of artistic projects.
Q: Where can I uncover ‘Simas de Aliento’?
A: The work is published by Olifante and includes a book and accompanying CD.
Q: Who performed the music on the CD?
A: Solists from the Pamplona Chamber Choir performed the musical pieces, directed by David Gálvez Pintado.
Did you know? The Bardenas Reales, a semi-desert natural park in Navarra, served as a key inspiration for the preludio of ‘Simas de Aliento’.
Explore more about Navarra’s thriving arts scene and discover other talented artists supported by the regional government. Share your thoughts on the intersection of poetry and music in the comments below!
