Celta returns to the Europa League nine seasons after its last appearance, proud to represent Galicia and its people across the continent. This is a cause for celebration that makes us look back and remember all the Galicians who, especially during the second half of the 20th century, had to leave for Europe for other reasons. It is estimated that some 500,000 people left Galicia for countries such as France, Switzerland and Germany with the sole aim of building a better future for their families. This fighting spirit is part of our character as a club, often summed up in our famous Afouteza.
Precisely, in the days leading up to our departure for Stuttgart, a destination with a large Galician presence, we launched a musical tribute to remember all the Galicians who had to leave our land for distant destinations such as America or closer ones such as Europe, but facing a significant cultural and linguistic gap.
This tribute, under the umbrella of Rio1923, has become a musical collaboration between Celta and Hard GZ. “Voltarei” is a recognition of those Galicians who kept alive the hope of returning home from afar. It is an energetic composition that brings these stories closer to new generations so that they are never forgotten, through our most indigenous sounds. “Voltarei” is also a video clip where our landscape and sense of belonging merge to tell this story, which ends up creating an ode to identity.
“Voltarei” will be released at midnight this Friday on digital music platforms (Spotify, iTunes, etc.). The music video will be released on the social media accounts of HardGZ, Celta and Rio1923 at 12 noon on the same Friday.
Hard GZ (Pedro Ruibal Iglesias, Vigo, 1995) is one of the most influential artists in urban music in Spain. Known for his authenticity and socially conscious lyrics, Hard GZ has built a career marked by creative independence, a connection to his homeland, and the ability to move several generations through his music.
Raised in Galicia, he began rapping as a teenager, forging his own style that combines the power of classic rap with contemporary sounds. His lyrics, full of honesty, speak of life in the neighbourhoods, emigration, struggle and hope, becoming the voice of many young people who identify with his message.
After years of constant work, Hard GZ has managed to fill venues and festivals throughout Spain, with sold-out tours and large-scale concerts such as the sold-out show at the WiZink Centre in Madrid in January 2025.
In Galicia, Hard GZ maintains a deep connection with his roots. His albums and performances blend Galician identity with an international outlook, uniting the local and the global. It is this same spirit that connects them today with Celta: a club that represents Galicia in Europe and which, like Hard GZ, carries with it the history of Galician emigration and the pride of a land that never forgets where it comes from.
VOLTAREI:
Compositors:
Pedro Ruibal
Marcel Martin
Kevin Lisbona
Pablo C Ursusson
Paula Cabanas
Lyrics:
Pedro Ruibal
Musicians and interpreters:
Pedro Ruibal: voice
Kevin Lisbona:guitar
Marcel Marti: sampler
Pablo C. Ursusson: voice and zafona
Saúl Nogareda: violoncello
Xoel Lopez: percussion
Carmen Gallego: voice and nyckelharpa
Ioana Pérez Núñez: violin
Tania Caamaño Lineres: voice
Juan Alberto Álvarez: gaita
Uxia Fernandez: voice
Products:
Pedro Ruibal
Marcel Martin
Kevin Lisbona
Engineers:
Ramón Ramírez
Roberto Hernandez
