The International Contemporary Dance Festival (Edanco) 2024 will take place from Saturday, 21 September to Sunday 6 October 2024 with more than 30 events on the program. The festival includes dance performances, talks and workshops by local and international guests. This year the venues include the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Casa de Teatro in the Colonial City, and halls at the IberoAmerican University (Unibe) and Santo Domingo Technology Institute (Intec) universi
There will be performances featuring the National Contemporary Dance Company, the National Folkloric Ballet, and dance groups from the United States, France, Costa Rica, Spain, Colombia, and the Haitian diaspora.
Edmundo Poy started the festival 19 years ago. He says: “Edanco is now a well-established, self-sustaining event that has become a cultural landmark for our country. It’s a testament to the power of dance to connect people from all over the world.”
Despite facing budgetary constraints, Edanco has managed to attract world-class dance companies to the Dominican Republic. Poy remains optimistic about the festival’s future, hoping for increased government support to expand its programming and reach.
Poy believes that contemporary dance in the Dominican Republic is on the rise. However, he emphasizes the need for more dance schools with facilities similar to the National School of Dance in Santo Domingo.
“We have the talent and the passion,” he said. “All we need is the support to expand dance education and make it accessible to people from all walks of life.”
Edanco stands for “Esencia y Dramaturgia en el Cuerpo” (Essence and Dramaturgy in the Body), indicating the fusion of dance, theater, and movement. This festival l features various dance styles, workshops, and performances showcasing the connection between dance, drama and the human body.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nuevo Diario
El Nacional
Edanco program
Diario Libre
11 September 2024