The Columbus Foundation consolidates its appointment with music at the 3rd edition of the RenHacer Festival

Arantzazu is the main venue for this charity festival to be held from 6 to 14 September 2024 to raise funds for the treatment of rare diseases of genetic origin.

It features the stellar participation of the pianist Joaquín Achúcarro and the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS) under the musical direction of Ramón Tebar.

The RenHacer Charity Festival organised by the Columbus Foundation has become an event aimed at making a significant difference in the lives of those suffering from rare diseases of genetic origin. The 2024 edition of the festival will take place from 6 to 14 September and will feature the stellar participation of pianist Joaquín Achúcarro and the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS) under the baton of maestro Ramón Tebar, the festival’s musical director.

Located in the majestic Sanctuary of Arantzazu, the RenHacer 2024 Festival is already a must-attend event in the Basque Country due to the musical quality of the programmes and the social impact of the Columbus Foundation’s cause. The funds raised will go to continue the efforts for the treatment of children affected by SPG50 and AADC. This year the foundation starts working on a new rare disease (CMT4J) and the funds will also be used to accelerate the clinical trial. The funds from the previous edition have enabled a clinical trial with BioGipuzkoa for SPG50 to begin in the coming weeks.

The Columbus Foundation not only seeks to promote the development of cures for rare diseases of genetic origin, but also to establish a cultural and human tradition rooted in the transformative power of music, which is why this event is a testament to how music can be an instrument for development and social cohesion. “For this reason, we are very grateful to Joaquín Achúcarro, Maria José Montiel and Ramón Tebar for their participation in this edition of the festival and their commitment to the Columbus Foundation”.

The backbone of the festival will consist of three concerts with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS) performing Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor opus 16 and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E minor opus 98. The concerts will take place in San Sebastian (Kursaal) on 11 September, on 13 September in Bilbao (Euskalduna), and the closing concert will be in the Basilica of Arantzazu on Saturday 14 September.

The festival will kick off on the 6th of September with a concert in the Chillida-Leku by the mezzo-soprano María José Montiel, followed by a cocktail party. In addition, two chamber concerts will be held on Thursday 12th September (venue to be determined), and the traditional matinee in the Crypt of Arantzazu on 14th September with the participation of the cellist Angel Luis Quintana.

On the 10th a meeting with Joaquín Achúcarro and Ramón Tebar will be held in Bilbao. Visits will also be made to hospitals and homes for the elderly to bring music to those who do not normally have access to live music.

Tickets will be available from 1 May and can be purchased through the Foundation’s website https://fundacioncolumbus.org/evento/iii-festival-renhacer/.

The Columbus Foundation has also shared a preview of the 4th RenHacer festival, to be held from 6 to 14 September 2025, which will feature Verdi’s Requiem with the participation of the Orfeón Donostiarra, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, mezzo-soprano María Jose Montiel, soprano Miren Urbieta-Vega, and bass Albert Pesendorfer under the musical direction of maestro Ramón Tebar. In addition, more lyrical concerts, chamber concerts and other social and educational activities will be programmed.