Cristina del Olmo 

Music tourism and the great musicals

Music tourism has established itself as one of the most attractive forms of travel, combining the pleasure of cultural discovery with the magic of live shows. This phenomenon not only attracts music and theater lovers, but also those looking for unique and memorable experiences. In major cities, musicals have taken a leading role, becoming authentic tourist attractions. Madrid, with its vibrant cultural offerings, has positioned itself as one of the most outstanding European destinations in this field.

Malinche, created by renowned Spanish artist Nacho Cano, is not just a musical; it is an immersive experience that transcends the stage. This show, which is performed at IFEMA Madrid (Av. del Partenón, 5, Barajas, 28042 Madrid) narrates the life of Malinche, a key figure in the history of Mexico and the arrival of the Spanish, representing the meeting of two worlds through music and performance art. With a spectacular staging, including vibrant choreography, live music and an emotional narrative, Malinche seeks not only to entertain, but also to educate and generate reflection on the cultural identity and shared history between Spain and Latin America.

For tourists visiting Madrid, attending a musical like Malinche is much more than a leisure activity. It is an opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural and artistic richness of the city, experience deep emotions and take away a unique souvenir of their stay. The boom in musical tourism, driven by productions like this one, reaffirms Madrid as a cultural epicenter of international scope.

From slaves to free men

In the script, Cano naturally presents Jesus Christ as “my Lord” and explains how one is reborn through baptism, and how the Hispanic world would not be what it is today if the Spaniards had not brought Christianity to those lands on the other side of the world. And all this from the artist's conviction that, with its mistakes, the Church turned slaves into free men: through baptism it gave them an identity card and a religion based on love.

For Nacho Cano, baptism was the starting point not only for the spread of Christianity, but also for human rights for the indigenous peoples.  “It was like giving them an ID card and their passage from slavery to a life with rights”.

He tells all this in the musical, in which he speaks of faith, of the Church, of the religious who came to America, to Mexico, with a new message. Malinche' materialized her conversion along with twenty other slaves, in what was considered the first massive baptism of women in America. This baptism is represented in 'Malinche', on one of the largest stages in Europe, in a scene in which Malinche is immersed in a pool of water, inside the stage, which has an imposing scenography.  “For me she is the woman with the greatest impact on the construction of America. She is a symbol of the encounter, not only for giving birth to Martin. Let's not forget that she was one of the great precursors of Christianity. For her, being baptized became a sign of freedom,” explains Nacho Cano.