Alfafara’s Cultural Revival through European Solidarity Corps Support
Accessing cultural life in rural areas often presents a challenge, a hurdle that can dampen the social fabric. In small towns, enjoying a concert, a lecture, or a movie screening can be complicated when resources are scarce and cultural offerings are sparse. This reality has driven a purpose behind the European Solidarity Corps, which supports cultural projects in these communities. One notable initiative launched in a small Alicante municipality, Alfafara, illustrates how such support translates into real activity.
The European Solidarity Corps funded Fem Teatre, a project championed by a handful of local youths from Alfafara. The initiative united the town with its enduring performing arts tradition, a thread that runs through the El Comtat region and is notable for its historical roots and geographic particularities. Documentary records show neighborly theatre groups as far back as the 1910s, with a stable company formed in 1951 that remained active until 1965. After a period of dormancy, activity was revived in the 1980s and has continued in recent years with performances becoming more occasional rather than regular. This revival underscores the towns continuity in cultural life and its capacity to adapt to changing times.
Professional theatre actor Ismael Sempere, a key young facilitator from Alfafara, described the mission as reactivating the town’s dramaturgical group. The aim was to spark renewed activity in local theatre while addressing contemporary rural needs, especially in small municipalities where social cohesion can waver. The town’s elderly residents form the majority, and year‑round cultural leisure options are scarce. For many young people, weekends become a search for something meaningful to do, and community theatre offers a vital path to social harmony.
With funding from the European Solidarity Corps and support from Alfafara City Council, the project ran through the year as a structured theatre program. This included a professional level theatre course featuring improvisation, body expression, guided theatre, and voice and singing workshops. Experienced instructors led the sessions, and attendance was high given the town’s size. The program emphasized strong group dynamics and a sense of fun, making the theatre project a shared, enjoyable undertaking for all involved.
During the summer, the idea crystallized into a performance of the play Altraviana, an adaptation of Antaviana written by the Catalan author Pere Calders. The production had its debut in 1978 with music by Dagoll Dagom. Nearly thirty residents joined as players, a notable figure for a town with just over 400 inhabitants and a predominantly female population. Cast members ranged from ten to 87 years old, underscoring the intergenerational nature of the project. The success of the performances required multiple showings and careful arrangement of the stage environment to enhance the Fem Teatre experience, reflecting a lasting continuity in the town’s cultural life.