The XIX edition of the FMRC, within the framework of UNESCO, as the only UN body with a mandate in the field of culture, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals set out in the 2030 Agenda, proposing various ways to recognize, harness, and foster the role of culture as a right rather than a moral obligation, specifically:
- Health and Well-being (SDG 3), by programming concerts in religious temples that promote the reduction of sound and light emissions typical of large-scale events.
- Promoting gender equality by strengthening female presence in the program and fostering critical thinking in the audience (SDG 5) through the hiring of female artists and cultural management professionals.
- Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy (SDG 7) through sustainable advertising that utilizes technical means and new communication technologies, minimizes electricity consumption, reduces plastic use, and promotes “Km 0” (local products).
- Reducing inequality among people and ensuring equal participation opportunities (SDG 10) through an accessibility plan that has increased attendance by people with reduced mobility.
- Ensuring that cities and towns are “inclusive, resilient, and sustainable” by fostering a sense of community (SDG 11).
- Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (SDG 12) by implementing an efficient waste management strategy, such as the exclusive use of digital technologies in advertising efforts, avoiding paper consumption through methods like web development, social media campaigns, and digital advertising and communication. Additionally, printed concert programs will be minimized by promoting the use of QR codes for accessing concert-related information, and any printed programs will be made from recycled materials.
- Reducing the carbon footprint (SDG 13) through three key measures:
- Decentralizing the program, promoting collective mobility of festival artists and professionals via shared transport and vehicle rentals.
- Encouraging public attendance through eco-movement and Km 0 initiatives.
- Commitment to hiring local providers or those aligned with the festival’s recommended sustainability actions.
Regarding the ACDS 2030, the fifth dimension constitutes a distinctive element and includes the addition of a sixth “P” in the ACDS 2030: the P for Cultural Heritage and Culture, focusing the festival’s programming on fostering a sustainable cultural ecosystem through an enriching musical program that aims to:
Cultural Goal 1
Guarantee fundamental cultural rights by promoting a concept of cultural citizenship that respects the diversity of the Canary Islands, gender equality, equal access, and the right to participation and contribution to basic cultural services, aiming to foster comprehensive personal development through a Network of Inclusive Cultural Spaces that encourage:
- Physical accessibility: Ensuring all cultural spaces are accessible for people with physical disabilities, including ramps.
- Economic accessibility: Offering free admission for the entire population until capacity is reached.
- Digital accessibility: Utilizing digital platforms to broadcast cultural events online, ensuring access for those unable to attend in person.
- Gender equality: Promoting equal representation in cultural management and programming.
- Cultural participation: Encouraging active participation through collaborations with local associations, music students, residents, visitors, cultural tourism, and local, island, regional, and religious institutions.
- Decentralization of programming: Expanding the festival’s reach to both capital and non-capital islands, extending its impact to rural areas through a process of growth and geographical decentralization.
Cultural Goal 2
Protect intellectual property rights of musical creators, recognize their contribution to the cultural value of the Canary Islands, and promote the revitalization of the creative economy by:
- Ensuring that all programmed musical works are properly registered.
- Encouraging originality and innovation in diverse artistic proposals.
- Establishing an annual concert program that includes both local and international artists, creating opportunities for interaction and learning.
- Including information on composers and their cultural impact in concert programs.
Cultural Goal 3
Adapt the principles of cultural citizenship to the digital era to prevent gaps and growing inequalities in cultural access by:
- Ensuring digital platforms and cultural content are available in multiple languages (e.g., websites, YouTube).
- Promoting local talent by showcasing their work on regional, national, and international levels.
- Securing sustainable public-private funding to ensure the festival’s longevity.
Cultural Goal 11
Enhance sustainable cultural tourism through an alternative musical program that contrasts with large-scale festivals, encouraging participation from tourists interested in cultural experiences while maintaining balance with the local audience. A key factor is to promote a festival that enhances cultural and artistic heritage as an attraction for cultural tourism consumption, adding value to the festival’s artistic, cultural, and leisure offerings. The value chain reinforces this process by striving for broader benefits for citizens through the creative economy.
Cultural Goal 17
Dignify the working conditions of cultural professionals and promote the creation of markets for cultural and creative industries at a regional level. FMRC is committed to establishing a network of cooperation and collaboration that addresses the challenges of the creative economy in the Canary Islands by promoting employment opportunities in cultural sectors and fostering business and cultural networks.
Cultural Goal 18
Protect tangible and intangible cultural heritage as an asset that contributes to sustainable environmental, social, economic, and cultural development through a religious music festival that highlights the architectural, artistic, musical, and cultural heritage of local communities.
Global Goals
Global Goal 5.1
We work towards eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. This actively contributes to eradicating gender inequality in all aspects of life, particularly in the professional sphere, incorporating an intersectional perspective and addressing diverse realities.
Global Goal 8.3
Promote development-oriented policies, positioning cultural activities as productive endeavors that foster the creation of decent jobs, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. This supports the growth of small and medium-sized local businesses, generating competent employment opportunities comparable to those in festivals at the regional, national, and international levels.
Global Goal 12.5
Reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse by fostering environmental awareness. The strategy for this edition includes:
- Designing hand programs in the form of informational brochures and posters using recycled materials.
- Reducing printed concert programs and promoting the use of technology through QR codes.
- Printing programs and banners on recycled materials as part of our “Second Life” initiative.
- Exclusively utilizing digital technologies for informational and promotional content across social media, web development, advertising, and digital communication.
