Tenerife Hosts 17th National Conference on Inclusion in the Performing Arts
Tenerife is hosting the 17th Conference on Inclusion in the Performing Arts from April 22 to 24, marking the event's first edition outside the Spanish mainland with a focus on cultural diversity and social change.
Tenerife will host the 17th Conference on Inclusion in the Performing Arts from April 22 to 24. This marks the first time the event, a national leader in its field, has moved outside the mainland. The shift is part of a new strategy by the Ministry of Culture and the Tenerife Cabildo to decentralize cultural events and strengthen ties across the country.
This year’s theme, "Displacements: Scenarios of Resistance," explores how the arts can address cultural diversity, diaspora, and migration. The conference has seen record interest, with 230 participants and 120 artists and speakers taking part. To accommodate this, events will be spread across several locations, including the Auditorio de Tenerife, Espacio La Granja, TEA, the La Recova Art Center, and the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The program will also reach beyond traditional venues, with sessions held at the Tenerife II Penitentiary Center and the San Matías neighborhood.
A key development this year is the creation of a permanent technical committee working with local organizations. This group is focused on long-term goals like improving accessibility, community engagement, and cultural education.
The full program, available on the Inaem website, features a wide range of performances. Highlights include Béla Bartók’s opera Bluebeard’s Castle, which explores themes of identity, and Vagabundus, a contemporary dance piece by the Mozambican group Converge+ Dance Company.
The "From Rehearsal to Act" series will host discussions on how cultural policies can better support migrant communities and highlight marginalized heritages. Other notable events include the debut of choreographer Martín Padrón’s DAD method and a screening at TEA of The Song of the Hands, a documentary by María Valverde about musical creation and the deaf community.
Through this program, the Ministry of Culture and the Tenerife Cabildo hope to move beyond simple performances, using the arts as a tool for social change and community connection.