The project enters a new chapter while building on proven success. Its core aim is to broaden reach and strengthen the footprint of contemporary Spanish writing and theater, nurturing a shared passion for art and performance. Audience engagement remains at the center of the effort.
A diverse array of formats and themes will be explored to honor professionals and adapt the program for a new leadership, with Guillermo Heras guiding the event’s legacy from its origins to today. The schedule stretches from late autumn into early winter, inviting wide participation while charting a clear course for the festival’s next era.
The move to attract a broader audience led the new team to pursue thematic breadth. The question asked was simple: what should a 21st‑century citizen hear? How do gender, tradition, and environment shape identity and community? The answer comes through programming that invites reflection on society, family, and our bond with the natural world.
Fifteen landscape‑oriented performances have been curated, paced so that sometimes two, sometimes a single show runs each day. This setup gives attendees space to experience multiple works without overlap, guiding the public through a thoughtful exploration of dramaturgy and stagecraft.
The lineup spotlights intimate, audience‑friendly pieces such as Castroponce, emphasizing both theory and practice in contemporary avant‑garde theater. It also features large collaborations, including a new partnership with Teatro Principal, presenting Manolita Chen’s Chinese tale and Los farsantes, signaling a return to bold storytelling with familiar names and fresh formats.
Other performances push imagination with minimalist staging that breathes through gardens and woods, alongside spectacular moments like Acorar. The program blends traditional offerings with technologically driven multimedia experiences, spanning from Altsasu by La Dramatica Errante to eco‑theater works by Toni Misó and Guille Zavala, and a reflection on post‑truth culture in The Mountain by Serrano.
This year highlights fiction‑driven works alongside documentaries such as Casa by the Cross Border Project. It also experiments with original fiction through pieces like the ecofeminist drama Talaré a los hombres sobre la face de la Tierra, penned and directed by María Velasco, a recent recipient of writing honors.
The festival brings new productions to Alicante, including Xavo Giménez’s Las Danesas and Gemma Miralles’ Pau, both produced by the hosting institute. Also featured is La Pármaco’s Todos las Santas, staged at the Arniches after its Cádiz festival premiere, marking Luz Arcas’ first venture into text‑based theater.
Anniversary celebration
Three special acts will mark the milestone. Meeting Point invites collective memory work coordinated by Noemí Rodriguez, a guiding figure in contemporary performance. This pilot initiative is designed in partnership with regional museums and mediation programs, crafted by Alicante’s La Cuarta Piel mediation platform.
There will be thirty voice projects, featuring written testimonies from leading writers in national drama, setting the stage for future directions. Fifteen participants will revisit past achievements, while the other fifteen pay homage to Guillermo Heras and offer glimpses into what comes next.
The tribute format has evolved, and a surprise guests event is planned at the Arniches on a mid‑November date. The festival also intends to serve as a meeting and thinking space for professionals, with a collaborative effort among cultural institutions to sustain momentum beyond the current season. Translation sessions and cross‑cultural exchanges are included as part of an ongoing dialogue about authorship and adaptable forms of expression.
This year expands training beyond playwrights to include dancers, visual artists, educators, and audiences. Recruits like María Velasco, Luz Arcas, and Lucia Miranda join a growing program focused on professional development and new methods for translating stage experience into editorial and artistic formats.
Interinstitutional collaboration
Leadership centers on a shared mission to preserve the festival and sustain its growth. The collaboration among cultural bodies underscores the belief that strong interinstitutional ties are essential for long‑term success. A public‑private partnership frame is highlighted as a model driving the project forward, with many participants expressing confidence in continued support and cooperation.
Advocates note that the festival offers space for artists to grow, acknowledging the role of Guillermo Heras in shaping the event’s trajectory. Local officials stress the need to renew the initiative and infuse it with renewed energy, ensuring it remains a vital cultural anchor for the region and its visitors.
Contemporary dramaturgy is celebrated as a vibrant moment for the field, yet there is a clear call for more space to develop and internationalize the work. The conversation centers on broadening access and sustaining creative risk while preserving artistic integrity.
Towards a sustainable legal framework
The festival’s future depends on more than funding; a solid legal structure is sought to guarantee continuity. Coordinating bodies are exploring viable models to support ongoing operations and growth, acknowledging that a thoughtful compromise and gradual implementation may be required.
Leaders emphasize the importance of a formal framework to define the event’s nature and secure stability. They anticipate progress in the near term and remain committed to ensuring the festival thrives with reliable support. Budget discussions acknowledge commitments to provide resources and sustain contributions from key institutions, with municipal backing already being expanded to accommodate more shows.
As discussions continue, the region’s cultural authorities highlight the value of robust governance and predictable funding to empower artists and organizations involved in the festival. The goal remains clear: maintain a dynamic, inclusive, and internationally engaged platform for contemporary Spanish theater and related arts.