Nine-day PAPAYA Fest is back, promising ‘a week of cultural unity’

First created in 2019 by award-winning arts collective Popelei, PAPAYA Fest is returning to The Old Market Assembly and The Wardrobe Theatre on October 11.

Born as “a fierce response to Brexit and rising nationalism”, the festival is curated to channel “the revolutionary spirit of Latin America” through a nine-day celebration of British-Latinx theatre, music, film, and talks – with particular emphasis on LGBTQIA+ positivity and amplifying bold female voices.

The festival will be bookended by opening and closing night fiestas: soundtracked on October 11 by a high energy salsa, cumbia and Caribbean-infused set from Bristol’s own Cuban queen, Indira Roman and Aji Pa ti, and on October 19 by breakout London Latina star, Sophie Castillo, alongside dembow from DJ Ivicore and bass-heavy beats from Hazel Marimba.

Sophie Castillo – photo: courtesy of the artist

The eclectic theatre programme includes An(dre)a Spisto and Joana Nastari’s 50 Ways To Kill A Slug, which they say celebrates “queerness, ugliness, and uselessness, exploring the slug as a political symbol of resistance”.

Migrant storyteller Victor Esses’ sets out his attempt to finish making a documentary about the remarkable life of his long-lost relative in The Death & Life of All of Us.

An(dre)a Spisto and Joana Nastari in 50 Ways to Kill a Slug- photo: Stephen Daly

Also inspired by true events, Mad Women is a fictional portrayal that uses the lens of mental health to chart the lives of three Latin American female artists, Frida Kahlo, Violeta Parra and Judith Marquez.

And for younger audiences, Súper Chefs is billed as a “fun, interactive family musical exploring family, food, and Latin American culture”.

Mad Women – photo: courtesy of Popelei

Elsewhere in the programme, the festival will be hosting the Bristol premiere of Chile Estyle, followed by a Q&A with Chilean-Canadian filmmaker Pablo Aravena and local muralist, PEKOE, on the global rise of street art culture.

And Afro-Colombian dance fans can look forward to a Bullerengue dance workshop from LA COMBA UK, in conjunction with an academic discussion on feminism in the UK.

For this year’s event, PAPAYA Fest is partnering with local businesses: Old Market’s newly established indie bookseller, East Bristol Books, and The Bristol Rum Company, who have crafted an exclusive Diva Latina cocktail to mark the occasion.

Tamsin Hurtado Clarke, the British-Venezuelan founder of Popelei, speaks to the festival’s mission: “We’re thrilled to bring PAPAYA Fest back for the third time, now with the support of Arts Council England.

Partygoers at PAPAYA Fest – photo: Popelei

“We’re going to party with more energy than ever, as Bristolians do best – a powerful protest that unites people and breaks down barriers and hate.

“This fiesta is our way of saying we won’t be ignored, we won’t be silenced, and we won’t stop celebrating the beauty of our diverse Latinx community within the UK.”

PAPAYA Fest runs from October 11-19 at the Old Market Assembly and The Wardrobe Theatre. For information and tickets to all events, visit www.papayafest.com.

Early bird offer: any tickets purchased before October 7 will offer attendees a chance to attend an intimate supper club at GRANO, featuring Latin-inspired dishes and communal dining.

All photos: PAPAYA Fest

Read next:

• Latin American Market returns to St Paul’s for second year
• PAPAYA Fest 2022: nine days of deliciously juicy Anglo-Latinx theatre and music
• Preview: PAPAYA Fest 2019