The Vertebra Dansa festival emerges as an evolution of the renowned Deltebre Dansa, which took place in Deltebre for two decades under the direction of dancer and choreographer Roberto Olivan. The new venue in Tortosa aims to foster the project's growth, connect the region, and bring dance closer to the public.
The mayor of Tortosa, Mar Lleixà, highlighted that hosting this festival presents a challenge and an opportunity for the city, as it will gather artists, students, and audiences in a space of avant-garde quality. Lleixà emphasized the importance of culture as a driver of economic growth and recalled the success of the Artèria festival, jointly organized by the City Council and Olivan.
The Councilor for Culture, Jordi Jordan, expressed the city's excitement to host the festival, which will transform Tortosa into an epicenter of contemporary dance. The program will include professional performances at the Carpa Vertebra Dansa, located in front of the Teatre Auditori Felip Pedrell, and will extend to emblematic spaces like the plaça de l’Absis.
One of the major novelties of Vertebra Dansa is the inclusion of a robust free program in the streets and public spaces, as well as the creation of the Espai Viu in parc Teodor Gonzàlez. This non-professional training space will be open to all citizens, promoting an accessible and inclusive approach to dance.
The festival will culminate with the Creació Vertebra Dansa, a community creation project where residents and associations of Tortosa will develop a collective piece. Councilor Jordan highlighted the high caliber of international troupes and the aim to attract dancers and creators from around the world.
In addition to the artistic program, the festival will offer nightlife entertainment at the Carpa Xirin, in the central promenade of parc Teodor González, featuring food trucks and DJ sets by artists such as Recol·lectors de Vinils, la Munu, Tu Reggaetonera Peligrosa, or DJ Put 1.
Jordan concluded that Vertebra Dansa connects culture, citizen participation, training, and international projection, consolidating Tortosa as a leading cultural capital. Mayor Lleixà added that the festival is part of the Pla de Barris i Viles, promoting culture as a driver of urban revitalization and inclusive access.
Roberto Olivan expressed his enthusiasm for this new phase, emphasizing the team's hard work and the anticipated participation of dancers and companies from over fifty countries. The choreographer noted the intention to explore how new urban dances are transforming contemporary dance.
Vertebra Dansa is promoted by the Associació Amics de les Arts Escèniques Terres de l’Ebre and Roberto Olivan's company, with support from the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Ajuntament de Tortosa, the Diputació de Tarragona, the Ministry of Culture, the ICEC, and the Consell Comarcal del Baix Ebre.
