Catalan theaters set new world record for single-day attendance
'No Empty Seats' campaign drew 55,000 people to 176 shows on Saturday
The first edition of the 'No Empty Seats' campaign (Cap Butaca Buida) attracted more than 55,000 people, setting a new world record for theater attendance in a single day in a region.
On Saturday, a total of 176 performances took place in 145 theaters throughout Catalonia, more than 70 of which were sold out.
The campaign drew 46,500 spectators in the Barcelona area, 2,800 in Girona, 1,500 in Lleida and 4,300 in the Tarragona area.
The president of the Association of Theater Companies of Catalonia (ADETCA), Isabel Vidal, celebrated the "excellent" feedback received.
"We have managed to expand the celebration beyond the industry and engage the general public," she said, adding that the organizers have long dreamed of accomplishing this.
Inspired by the vibrant Sant Jordi festival, celebrated annually on April 23, the organizers aimed to create a theatrical equivalent of this beloved event.
Toni Albaladejo, vice president of ADETCA, said that the theater sector has always celebrated World Theater Day, which takes place on March 27, but had become isolated. "We wanted to share it with the public," he explained.
Scheduled for March 22 next year, organizers are looking to expand their reach, aiming to fill all 148,000 seats in Catalan theaters.