International Dance Day: Artists Call for Greater Recognition and Support from Institutions

Immaculate Tapia |

Madrid (EFE).- Dance is largely unknown to the public, “despite having been the first means of communication” due to its universal nature, point out some artists who, this Saturday, celebrate International Dance Day with the hope that the institutions will give it the necessary encouragement to give it greater projection.

Social networks are filled with choreographies that go viral in minutes, from Shakira to Rosalía, from Rihanna to JLo, however, dance has not just made an exponential leap in the programming of Spanish theaters and is not perceived as an element of evolution of the society.

“Dance is a means of communication, of creativity, it is an art”, the dancer and choreographer Israel Galván told EFE, who warned that only a few take into account the effort involved in dedicating themselves to a profession that not everyone understands.

The responsibility of the institutions

The dancer Lali Ayguadé (Barcelona, ​​1980), Max 2023 award for best dance performer for “Runa”, emphasizes that contemporary dance must be valued as contemporary painting was done in its day: “there are people who wonders what it is”, a task for which he holds the institutions responsible, which he considers should be more aware of this discipline.

A reflection in which the dancer and choreographer Mario Bermúdez Gil (Vilches-Jaén, 1987), winner of the Max 2023 Award for best male dance performer for “El Bosque”, agrees. “It was one of the first performing arts, the first traditional way of communicating. Dancing is not just about having a good time”.

Bermúdez founded his company Marcat Dance in Vilches (Jaén) in 2016, where creativity arises from the inspiration of various cultures and from the investigation of the body in movement.

Although he assures that there is much to celebrate on this day, he warns that the work of artists who are dedicated to dance is not valued.

“We work hard every day and as a family man I bet on this profession; we are creating art and art has to be valued”, because it requires investment to be able to develop it, the creator told EFE.

lack of visibility

Choosing the right floor or an open rehearsal site “supposes thousands of euros. Creation entails setting up a company and all the risks that this implies”, a back room that cannot be seen, “I have a contemporary dance company and the creative and administrative sections go inside”.

The three artists, with an intense international career, emphasize that the lack of communication and knowledge hampers dance. “We live in uncertainty and on the defensive, a bit like Joan of Arc. We have to nurture the path of art and the institutions should contribute to it”, points out Bermúdez.

Israel Galván (Seville, 1973), winner of the 2005 National Dance Award and the 2023 Talía Award from the Academy of Performing Arts for best male dance performer for “Seises”, has developed an extensive international career dancing flamenco.

“We have opened our tradition to the world”, but, nevertheless, he laments that, although it also has space in the big Spanish cities, “there are small corners that we do not reach”, a reason for which he calls for “investment to create hubby”.

Settle in Spain

South Korea has been one of the latest destinations for Lali Ayguadé, where she has choreographed and directed a piece for the Korean National Contemporary Dance Company.

“We speak with the body, the movement is more international than the word,” says Ayguadé, who appreciates being able to learn about other cultures. “We have gone out a lot, but it would be nice if we could be here (in Spain) throughout the year.”

The contemporary dancer points out that, despite the fact that there are many artists dedicated to this discipline, there should be “more (institutional) aid to publicize a language that there are people who are unaware of all its varieties.”