Planeta Fest Launches Inclusive Performing Arts Initiative in Canary Islands

Planeta Fest is arriving on the Canary Islands, but it is more than just a series of performances; it is an effort to make the performing arts accessible to everyone. Before the festival officially begins, organizers have launched a social initiative to involve people with diverse functional abilities in the creative process. These efforts will culminate in events held from June 26 to 28 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Led by Satélite Teatro, the project includes workshops held throughout June at centers like Naranjos de Luz in Tacoronte and the Los Verodes Occupational Center in La Laguna. Using a method called "Teatro Brut," the workshops use movement and body expression to help participants build confidence and communication skills. Each three-session cycle ends with a public presentation. Festival director Brian Rodríguez Wood says the goal is to remove the barriers that have long kept certain groups from participating in cultural life.

Universal accessibility is the core of this first edition. The festival has introduced several features to ensure everyone can participate, including signage in Braille and pictograms, as well as audio descriptions, sign language interpretation, easy-to-read materials, and noise-canceling equipment. Detailed information about these resources is available for every venue.

The festival features a mix of local, national, and international acts, most of which are free to attend. A highlight includes the Col·lectiu MUR performing De tú a tú at Espacio La Granja. Supported by the DISA Foundation and various public organizations, the festival aligns with European guidelines that promote social inclusion, ensuring that participating in the arts is a right for all citizens, rather than a privilege.