The Surtierra Touring Project was a far-reaching community project spanning nine months, from September 2024 to June 2025.
Quimantú shared The Miners' Mass with singers from five community choirs formed by local singers, alongside refugees and migrants from many backgrounds.
These diverse voices, speaking in multiple languages, united in the Spanish of this powerful prayer, composed by Mauricio Venegas-Astorga in 1998, and performed together in 10 concerts across 9 towns and cities: Southampton, Whitchurch, Portsmouth, Sturminster Newton, Chichester, Cerne Abbas, Blandford Forum, and Havant, culminating in two concerts in the heart of London at the renowned ‘Actors Church’ St. Paul’s in Covent Garden, in recognition of Mauricio Venegas-Astorga's invaluable contribution to the culture of the country that has welcomed him. Through our shared humanity, the Surtierra Touring Project seeked to break the stigma associated with forced migration due to war, persecution, or poverty.
For this tour, Quimantú collaborated with the Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group (SWVG) refugee support group, the Andover Museum Loft Singers, WemsFest (West Sussex/Hampshire), and Arts Reach (Dorset).
These partnerships included refugee community groups and a diverse mix of rural and urban areas, creating a truly inclusive cultural experience.
Surtierra Project Concert - Whitchurch Dec 2024
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet, Iqbal Khan Pathan
Andover Museum Loft Singers & SWVG Choir
Photo by Richard Geary
Surtierra Project Concert - Sturminster Newton June 2025
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet, Mark Troop,
& Yuri Betancourt
Photo by Juan Contento
Surtierra Project Concert - Cerne Abbas May 2025
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet,
& Cloud 9 Chorus
Photo by Jane Tearle
Surtierra Project Concert - The Actors Church June 2025
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet, Mark Troop , Yuri Betancourt, Iqbal Khan Pathan,
Andover Museum Loft Singers & SWVG Choir & Wemsfest Choir
Photo by Andy Paradise
Surtierra Project Concert - Portsmouth June 2025
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet,
Andover Museum Loft Singers, SWVG Choir & Wemsfest Choir
Photo by Juan Contento
Surtierra Project Concert - The Actors Church June 2025
Quimantu with the ECCO
Photo by Andy Paradise
Surtierra Project Concert - The Actors Church June 2025
Quimantu with the Alkyona Quartet, Mark Troop , Yuri Betancourt, Iqbal Khan Pathan,
Palida Choir, Shaftesbury School Choir & Cloud 9 Chorus
Photo by Andy Paradise
Our project partners and funders
The Surtierra Touring Project was produced by Musiko Musika and Quimantu and was a collaboration with our partners: SWVG refugee support group in Southampton, Andover Museum Loft Singers, WemsFest (West Sussex) and Arts Reach (Dorset).
We are very grateful for the funding support of Arts Council England and the Foyle Foundation.
Consultancy by Sasolo Arts