Identidad-1

Choreography: George Cespedes

Music: Alexis de la O, Edwin Casanova Gonzáles

World Premiere: July 19, 2013, Teatro Mella, Havana with Danza Contemoránea de Cuba

30 min for 23 dancers

In "Identidad - 1", George Céspedes explores the complex theme of human identity through dance. He is particularly interested in two aspects: cultural and national identity. Cultural identity, through the interplay of traditions, values, symbols and behaviour, consolidates the sense of belonging within a social group. It forms the cultural codes, norms and rituals that are lived by the respective group. National identity describes the sense of belonging to a community that shares geography, history, politics and a rich heritage of memories. It also includes feelings such as love of one's own, such as hatred or fear of the foreign, such as pride, fatalism, self-pity or chauvinism. National identity shows its face in explicitly patriotic symbols such as flags, coats of arms, anthems, national teams and currencies. In addition, there are other individual or collective affiliations based on different factors such as language, skin colour, religion, social status or sexual orientation. Against this theoretical background, Céspedes creates a vital choreography around the human being as an individual and a community being. Or simply put, around the existential question: Who am I?