Diverse Festival Returns: Elche's Groundbreaking Event Amplifying LGTBI Voices

The Elche City Council, through the departments of Social Action, Culture, and Youth, has once again organised the Diverse Festival 2025. This event will take place from May 16 to 24 under the motto 'More Visible, More Possible', featuring numerous scheduled activities.

The Diverse Festival has been a provincial benchmark since its inception in 2009, attracting thousands of attendees each year, as highlighted by municipal sources. Last year, over 4,200 people participated in the scheduled events, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023.

The Councillor for Social Action, Celia Lastra, stated, "This festival is not just a recreational space but also a cultural one, where diversity is promoted through an encounter with the LGTBI community. The aim is to enhance integration and diversity, allowing everyone to coexist with tolerance and empathy."

The Diverse Festival will take place in various venues such as the Escorxador, Odeon Cinemas, and the Congress Centre, as diversification is among its objectives. Additionally, this year the UMH joins as a collaborator through the Vice-Rectorate of Culture, Equality, and Diversity.

The scheduled events will commence on May 16 with a round table discussion at 8:00 PM in the Escorxador's Espai Escènic, featuring free entry and the presence of Choriza May, a participant in Drag Race UK.

On May 17, the Congress Centre will screen the film 'Scream' (1996) at 12:00 PM, and the following day at 12:30 PM, the Escorxador's Espai Escènic will host the podcast 'Cover lo serás tú' by Cristina Alcázar and Carla Pulpón. Tickets, priced at 5 euros, are available at the Gran Teatro box office or via Vivaticket.

Among other scheduled events, on May 23, a colloquium on the cultural memory of the community will be held at 7:00 PM in the Congress Centre. On Saturday, May 24, a sports day led by Dimove will take place at 10:00 AM in the Sports City, followed by the cabaret theatre 'Marina presents The Night of the Thousand Marinas' at the Escorxador's Espai Escènic at 7:30 PM. Tickets are priced at 5 euros and can be purchased at the Gran Teatro box office or via Vivaticket.

To conclude the festival, the CCCE l'Escorxador terrace will host the proclamation and a concert by Natalia Lacunza at 10:00 PM. Like other events, tickets cost 5 euros and are available at the Gran Teatro box office or via Vivaticket.