lDance in Mérida: Where Flamenco Meets Contemporary Dance!

In their second workshop in Mérida as part of the Dancing Histor(y)ies Project, ilDance took collaboration to the next level! This time, it wasn’t just about movement—it was about creating costumes and soundtracks inspired by Mérida’s vibrant culture.

Costume Magic by Amanda Wisselgren

Drawing inspiration from the iconic mantón de manila—a Flamenco shawl with flowing tassels—the costume designer Amanda Wisselgren explored how its movement transforms a dancer’s silhouette, adding a touch of Flamenco elegance to contemporary dance.

Soundscapes of Mérida

The composer Didi Erez brought the rhythm of Mérida to life, blending Flamenco claps, snaps, and steps with the sounds of handmade percussion instruments from Pepe’s workshop. But the soundtrack didn’t stop there—street sounds, voices, and everyday life in Mérida added a rich layer of authenticity. This workshop was a celebration of cultural exchange, blending tradition and innovation to bring a unique performance to life.

Stay tuned to see how history and heritage move to a whole new beat!

Location: Merida (Spain)

Date: 3-6 May 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 Histor(y)ies 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.