Veterans Day which once again makes León the most magical city of Christmas

The perseverance of the organization in finding the conjurer gives an idea of the care with which the programming of an event is prepared which, for eight days, from December 25 to January 1, will offer more than 600 shows with the aim of reaching the figures of previous years: 30,000 spectators only in the town of Bernesga, 90,000 in the province and 300,000 throughout the Community, since the shows in the capital Léonese herself joins those who will take place as an extension of the competition.

There are two ingredients that consolidated the event, according to Juan Mayoral. First of all, its celebration at Christmas, a date closely linked to “magic”: “We were lucky enough to choose this time of year for which we started.” Then, the target audience: “These are all family shows that excite both children and grandparents at a time of year when they like to share experiences and moments of happiness.”

This year’s program features eighty magicians in a festival described as “the largest in Europe” due to its geographical extension and which, in addition to the traditional Solo Gala and the International Gala, will offer multiple exhibitions in the “emblematic” streets and spaces of the Leonese capital. Precisely, the artistic director highlights the presence at the Espacio Vías of Magica Gilly, “a young girl with Down syndrome from the Republic of San Marino who is a unique case and proof that all dreams can come true”.

Another particularity of this next edition is that “the heart” of the event, the International Gala, which will offer a total of eleven performances at the Ciudad de León Auditorium between December 28 and January 1, will be hosted for the first time by a woman, the magician Violeta Zheng, stage director of the festival: “I always emphasize that the participation of magicians in similar events is enormously disproportionate because there are few in the world”. Likewise, it highlights the multiple facets of Zheng, who in addition to being an illusionist is a “choreographer, director, dancer…”.

Alongside the aforementioned Raymond Crowe, among others, Cristiansen Morten, from Denmark, a young man awarded with the most important international magic awards, will also participate in the International Gala; Imanol D’Albeniz and Giorgia Adel, Spanish magician and Australian dancer and acrobat; the French Klek Entòs and the Spanish Carlie Mag, champion of Spain and Europe in sports dance.

This event will be preceded by the Unipersonnel Gala, which will take place on December 26 and will feature the Valencian Javier Botía, with a show of paranormal phenomena that have made him “a reference in world mentalism.”

Juan Mayoral highlights the work behind an event of these characteristics, whose programming begins to be thought out years in advance, and even more so at a time when “magic moves a lot”, as demonstrated by the multiple shows linked to it in the Spanish capital, among which he cites the musical Houdini which is performed at the Teatro Calderón.

But in recent days, as far as illusionism is concerned, León has nothing to envy of Madrid and this festival adds more and more “supporters” year after year, as proven by the number of sessions of the International Gala, all sold out. However, despite its growth, Juan Mayoral insists that “León Vive la Magia” has managed to maintain its essence, which is part of its success: “It is not about being the greatest if you lose quality”.

It poses no challenge for the future, except that of continuing to retain its audience: “We don’t know how long ‘León Vive la Magic’ will last because that is due to trends, but as long as it lasts, we will offer what we know how to do best.”