What is a Noche de Tuna? It’s the little sister of the famous Tuna Festival: a weekend full of music, alegría, and “gezelligheid”, right here in Eindhoven! Tunas, student music groups in traditional Spanish outfits, will parade through the streets, hop from bar to bar, and compete on stage with lively songs and playful Tuna moves.
Practical info
- Date: 19 & 20 September
- Multiple locations and times in Eindhoven. Check the full program for details.
- Free entry
But what exactly is a Tuna?
The tradition began in medieval Spain, when groups of students earned their living by making music, singing about love, student life, and the joys of friendship. They played on acoustic instruments like the laúd (lute), bandurria (small lute), guitar, accordion, flute, and tambourine. The wandering may have stopped, but the Tuna lifestyle - enjoying life, traveling, music, and camaraderie- lives on.
Eindhoven has been part of Tuna history since 1986, when it hosted the very first festival outside Spain or Portugal. This year marks the 15th edition, extra festive as la Tuniña celebrates its 43th anniversary (which of course they'll celebrate with the namesake Spanish liqueur).