ilDance Discovers Mérida: Merging Flamenco, Folk, and History through Dance!

ilDance, the contemporary dance collective, embarked on an inspiring journey to Mérida as part of the Dancing Histor(y)ies Project. Their mission? To connect with the local community, explore Mérida’s rich heritage, and find the perfect stage for a groundbreaking performance.

After considering sites like the Hippodrome, Alcazaba, and Portico del Foro, the final choice was guided by respect for both the community and the preservation of Mérida’s ancient treasures.
The adventure included dancing with Flamenco icon Fuensanta Blanco and her students, exploring the fiery rhythms of flamenco, and blending them with ilDance’s contemporary style. They also delved into local folk traditions—learning about music, dance, and even instruments like castanets and glass bottles.

Adding a historical twist, the team explored Mérida’s vibrant tradition of recreating Roman clothing and gladiator fights, sparking questions about authenticity and how the past shapes the present.
ilDance’s visit was not just about art but also about meaningful exchange—creating a bridge between history, tradition, and the future of dance.
Watch how ilDance transformed inspiration into motion in this unforgettable experience!

Location: Merida (Spain)
Date: 22-24. February 2024
Organizer: Consorcio Festival Mérida
Dance Groups/artistic partners: ilDance, 420PEOPLE
Other partners: Mapa das Ideias; Tourism Cluster of Extremadura
Local organizations: Consortium of the Monumental city of Merida; FEDAPA/Audiosigno; TAPTC Theatre; School/Augusto Mérida/ Greco-Latin Youth Festival; Tanit Divulgación Histórica/Emerita Augusta.

The project Dancing Histories is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union, Национален фонд „Култура“/ National Culture Fund, Bulgaria, Ministerstvo kultury České republiky, Kulturrådet  and cultural department of the Västra Götalandsregionen.