"Anacaona" Premieres at ULL, Exploring Gender, Race, and Resistance Through Salsa and Dance

Tomorrow, Thursday, at 8:30 PM, the Paraninfo at the University of La Laguna (ULL) will host the debut of "Anacaona," a new work by Tenerife artist Acerina Amador. Created with Fernando López, the piece uses salsa music, dance, and spoken word to explore the connections between gender, work, and race.

Tickets for this performance, which also features Diego Lupiáñez, are available online at www.ecoentradas.com.

Amador and López have collaborated on a performance that blends movement, theatrical dialogue, and visual elements. Their aim is to tell the stories of women who have historically fought against colonial rule.

The project was inspired by a salsa song dedicated to Anacaona, a Taíno princess. In 1503, she chose death over becoming the concubine of a Spanish conqueror. Anacaona has since become a symbol of resistance for indigenous people and Caribbean women. Her legacy has spread beyond the Dominican Republic and Haiti, influencing independence movements in the 19th century and even giving her name to a well-known Cuban all-female orchestra.

Tracing this lineage of memory, the artists discovered a parallel: Princess Acerina, who, along with King Tanausú, resisted Spanish colonization on the island of La Palma. They both chose death over surrender in 1493.

The performance combines traditional storytelling with unconventional theatrical moments. The audience is directly engaged, prompting reflection on their own behavior in the theater and their connection with the performers. This technique draws a parallel between historical resistance to colonialism and the everyday challenges of resisting the conformity and control of modern society.

Using humor, satire, and a mix of styles, "Anacaona" encourages the audience to feel, understand, and personally grapple with a crucial question: how do we respond when faced with the expectation of obedience?