This Friday, Absis Square in Tortosa was transformed into the stage for the culmination of the Mapadeball project. Over the past few months, more than a hundred students, specifically 107, from the Dertosa and Cristòfol Despuig institutes, have been immersed in this artistic and educational program, which is part of the Catalonia Dance Promotion Plan.
“"Today the moment has arrived to see this work in such an emblematic setting as Absis Square."
The mayor of Tortosa, Mar Lleixà, highlighted the importance of the event, which included two sessions: one in the morning for the educational community and another in the evening for families and the general public. Tortosa joined the Mapadeball program this academic year through the Transversal Network of cultural activities. The project, coordinated in the Terres de l'Ebre by the Culture in Education referent, involved the collaboration of local artist Llibertat Curto, who received training from choreographers Sílvia Sant Funk and Mònica Muntaner.
First and second-year Baccalaureate students from Institut Dertosa, with teachers Maria José Darder and Clàudia Giménez, and third-year ESO students from Institut Despuig, led by teacher Guadalupe Pedret, worked on the piece 'UMHLABA means world in Zulu', created by Sílvia Sant Funk and Mònica Muntaner. This process blended education, contemporary creation, and collective work, culminating in Friday's performances.
“"This Mapadeball project is very exciting because it aligns strongly with our model of an educational and cultural city. Also with our goal of having a Tortosa free of discrimination."
The first deputy mayor and Culture councilor, Jordi Jordan, emphasized that Tortosa is one of eleven municipalities selected for this project, alongside towns such as Mataró, Olot, Granollers, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Figueres, Reus, Lloret de Mar, Lleida, Tarragona, and Tàrrega. Mapadeball is an initiative by Mercat de les Flors that aims to bring the language of movement and contemporary dance to secondary school students, connecting young people, artists, and cities through movement.
The program, part of the II Dance Promotion Plan 2023-2026 by the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya, is led by Mercat de les Flors and the Transversal Network. It is coordinated by the AGITART Technical Office and collaborates with the Culture and Education Program, jointly promoted by the Departments of Culture and Education. In Tortosa, its implementation has been possible thanks to the collaboration between the City Council, participating educational centers, and the support of the Territorial Education Services and the Baix Ebre Educational Service (CRP).
