Today we have images from the the 9th Edition of the International Street Art Festival Graffitea in Cheste, Spain! Every April for the last nine years, Graffitea presents locals with a dynamic celebration of urban art – transforming the streets of Cheste into a massive canvas with works made by national and international artists.

Located approximately 30 kilometers west of the city of Valencia, Cheste is becoming a notable destination for street art and cultural tourism. Cheste’s vibrant cultural scene is highlighted by several key attractions that draw visitors from far and wide, like the historic town center, its picturesque plazas, Valencian architecture, traditional local markets, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo racing events, and The San Francisco de Asís Church with its baroque architecture and intricate interior.

This year’s festival featured an impressive lineup of artists, including Jota López, B:K Mafia, Bublegum, Barbiturikills, Luca Ledda, La Compañía de Mario, Yeko Yekill, Nemo LKA, Zorro, and Lluís Salvador. Each artist has contributed to an ever-expanding collection of over 130 murals that adorn the façades and walls of Cheste’s residential and industrial buildings. In addition, the festival’s artistic director, Toni Espinar, has created the inaugural mural in the “Muros Insumisos” (Insurgent Walls) series, which aims to provoke thought and dialogue through art.

This year’s theme emphasized the freedom of expression and community collaboration that Graffitea is known for. In addition to live painting, the festival included guided tours, educational workshops, and the screening of a documentary exploring the historical roots of hip-hop, produced over two years of research and filming. Schools in the area also participated, creating collaborative murals as part of the UrbanEducArt competition led by Valencian artist Xemayo.

Cheste, with a population of approximately 8,500, is becoming well known for its street art scene and Graffitea continues to enhance the city’s cultural landscape, cementing its place in the broader network of contemporary art museums and cultural events. The festival’s impact has been recognized with awards for cultural governance and is gradually attracting more international attention. We thank photographer Lluis Olive for regaling BSA readers with some photos he captured during a recent trip to Valencia.

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