WOMEX

Language and the working language of the fair

Spanish and Canarian Spanish are the everyday languages in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, while WOMEX conference sessions, pitch sessions, the trade fair and delegate meetings operate in English. A few words of Spanish go a long way in taxis, cafes and local shops away from the venue.

Meal times and Canarian food culture

Lunch is typically taken between 13:30 and 15:30 and dinner rarely starts before 21:00, so showcase nights and late delegate dinners fit the local rhythm more than a northern-European schedule. Local staples to try between sessions include papas arrugadas with mojo, gofio, fresh Atlantic fish and Canarian cheeses.

Local music traditions in the host region

The Canary Islands have their own folk signatures, including the timple (a small five-string instrument), folias, isas and malaguenas, and Canarian music carries long-standing Latin American links from centuries of migration between the islands and the Americas. That local scene is a natural backdrop to a world music gathering.

Time zone and daily rhythm

The Canary Islands run on Western European Time, one hour behind mainland Spain, so local evening schedules start later than mainland-European delegates may expect and showcase sets can run past midnight. Keep the offset in mind when booking airport transfers and early-morning onward flights.

Dress and daily comfort

Trade-fair and conference days in Las Palmas are usually smart-casual, with light layers for air-conditioned halls. Showcase nights move between clubs, theatres and outdoor venues, so comfortable shoes and a light jacket for mild evenings are more useful than formal wear.

Payments, tipping and prices

The currency is the euro. Cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and taxis, though small kiosks and some beach bars may prefer cash. Restaurant tipping is not obligatory; rounding up or leaving 5-10 percent is the usual local practice.

Business etiquette on the island

Greetings are informal, usually a handshake and often two cheek kisses in social settings, and meetings tend to open with small talk before business. Punctuality is expected for scheduled conference sessions and showcase slots, while social events and dinner invitations run later and more loosely.

Practical etiquette for delegates

Keep business cards and delegate badges visible during trade-fair hours, ask before photographing showcase performances for commercial use, and check whether artists permit recording before posting live clips. For venue staff, a short greeting in Spanish before a request is appreciated.