Nazira, anu and SIREN DJs confirmed for a festival in an ancient Arab fortress

ITHAKA Festival is a brand new event set to take over an uninhabited Arab fortress in Granadilla, Spain this summer.

From June 22 to 24, DJs such as anu, Kazakhstan's Nazira (pictured) and London-based collective SIREN play at Ithaka's first edition. Also playing will be Amir Alexandar, Mixmag Gold artist Nidia Minaj, who goes back-to-back with DJ Makobu, Object Blue, Bedouin SAHRAWI and SISSO of Uganda. Spain is represented by JASSS, LIE RADIO and LIVE CODE MAD.

The website explains that attending the festival - championing diversity and sustainability - will be like a trip back in time.

"This could not be a more idyllic setting for the first edition of ITHAKA Festival to play out in. The 9th century, Arabic, walled village has been uninhabited since the 60s and is like the land that time forgot. Here, we will break the traditional link between electronic music and urban nightlife, and experience new sounds, new sites and new feelings."

It also described Granadilla - surrounded by a lake and Monfragüe National Park - as one of the most "breathtaking" locations in Spain.

"Founded in the ninth century, Granadilla was in its beginnings an Arab settlement that would end up being converted into a walled city during the Middle Ages. Originally called "granada", it was renamed Granadilla after the reconquest, a name that has remained to this day.

"In the mid-fifties the expropriation of most of the village was decreed because of the construction of a reservoir to build the dam that surrounds it today. With this decision and the danger of flood that it threw on its inhabitants, the population was forced to leave their home."

One of the key goals for the festival is to "create a safe space for everyone and strive for inclusion, diversity and equality." Alternative energy will also power the event as part of its sustainability campaign.

Get more information on ITHAKA Festival here and listen to Nazira's mix for us below.

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter