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La Voz de Andalucía

Lucía Lacarra Criticizes Dance Stagnation in Spain, Praises Antonio Banderas' Festival

Renowned dancer and director of TIP TOE, Lucía Lacarra, laments the lack of progress in Spanish dance over the past three decades while promoting a new festival in Málaga.

Generic image of ballet pointe shoes on a stage.
IA

Generic image of ballet pointe shoes on a stage.

Distinguished dancer and choreographer Lucía Lacarra, leading the international dance festival at Teatro del Soho CaixaBank in Málaga, has voiced concerns about the lack of evolution in Spanish dance over the last 30 years, highlighting Antonio Banderas' initiative as a crucial milestone.

Lucía Lacarra, a highly respected figure in the dance world, has been appointed to direct the international dance festival at Teatro del Soho CaixaBank, an ambitious project by Antonio Banderas for the 2026-2027 season. The dancer, originally from Zumaya and born on March 24, 1975, is enthusiastic about the TIP TOE project, which aims to bring dance closer to the people of Málaga.
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"Dance in Spain has not progressed in 30 years; quite the opposite."

Lucía Lacarra · Dancer and director of TIP TOE
Lacarra emphasizes that one of the main challenges is to dispel the notion that dance is an exclusive art form for elites or connoisseurs, or that it is limited to tutus and pointe shoes. She argues that dance has evolved significantly, encompassing a vast diversity of styles and philosophies that make it a complete and accessible world for everyone.
The director of TIP TOE has praised Antonio Banderas' vision, acknowledging his immense contribution to performing arts through Teatro del Soho CaixaBank. Lacarra considers Banderas' decision to integrate dance into the programming and create this festival an unprecedented event, born from his passion and dedication. She herself has committed to supporting the project with everything necessary to bring dance to Málaga.
Regarding the current state of dance in Spain, Lacarra describes it as “terrible and quite sad.” She notes that, after 30 years abroad, she has observed a regression, with fewer companies available for young dancers and fewer opportunities for the public to enjoy and discover new forms of dance. Therefore, the TIP TOE festival seeks to offer a varied and uncategorized program to attract different audiences and showcase the richness of this art form.
The festival is designed not only for the audience but also for the participating companies and dancers, especially young talents from Málaga's schools. Parallel activities have been planned, such as the Open-Air Bar at Muelle Uno, choreographic workshops, auditions for junior companies, and meetings with choreographers and directors. Each year, a dance legend will visit Málaga to share their experience, offering motivation and guidance to new generations.
Lucía Lacarra, who has personally managed the logistics of her own company, from production to hotel bookings, states that dance has been her life and has taught her valuable lessons. Despite the demanding nature of the profession, she considers it a source of pride and responsibility, especially when guiding young talents. Her daughter, Laia, aged 11, although not following in her footsteps in classical ballet, enjoys hip hop, and Lacarra supports her in finding her own passion.

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