Canary Islands Migrant Youth Use Theater to Combat Stigma Ahead of Papal Meeting

Theater has become a powerful tool for resilience and social advocacy among migrant youth in the Canary Islands. This is especially significant as the community prepares for an upcoming meeting between Pope Francis and various social organizations at the Plaza del Cristo in La Laguna. A recent report from the El Buen Samaritano Canary Foundation highlights how the stage allows these young people to turn the trauma of their migration journeys into a form of collective awareness.

The play Bismillah. Migrant Stories, performed by a group from the Santa Cruz-based foundation, helps its cast—including Mbcake Ndiaye—confront the prejudices they face every day. Ndiaye, who arrived in El Hierro after a nine-day boat journey from Senegal, plays a teacher in the production. By using satire to echo common stigmas about immigration, the play aims to dismantle hate speech through irony and education.

The foundation currently supports 175 young people, offering much more than just administrative help. Led by teacher Mabel Quintero, weekly rehearsals at the San Alfonso María de Ligorio Parish provide a vital escape from the stress of navigating complex immigration bureaucracy. For these young people, theater is both a creative outlet and a way to build community while they wait for their legal status to be resolved.

This effort will reach a milestone when Ndiaye represents his peers to share their experiences with the Pope. The play itself is constantly evolving to reflect the arrivals and departures of the youth, mirroring the instability of their lives. As the Canary Islands continue to manage the challenges of migration, these cultural initiatives highlight the essential role of community organizations in helping those who have survived dangerous sea crossings to rebuild their lives in Spain.