Last Tuesday, February 25, the Catalan gypsy dancer Antonia Santiago Amador ‘La Chana’, gave a lecture at the Ovidi Montllor Theater addressed to the students of the Professional Dance Conservatory of the Institut del Teatre, where the specialty of Spanish dance is taught. The talk, entitled “Between here and there” and directed by Eva Navas, featured an introduction by the dancer and choreographer Beatriz del Pozo, who announced the project to make a documentary about the bailaora. The act was a tribute to this important figure of dance and showed the link that the Institut del Teatre has with her.

For two hours, ‘La Chana’ explained her life trajectory linked to the world of dance, recalling its origins and the moments of great personal and artistic difficulties, because then it was difficult for a woman to dedicate herself professionally to dance. In a self-taught way and with great effort and perseverance, the bailaora managed to forge a great professional career and a unique style, to the point that she achieved great international recognition, becoming an ambassador of Spanish dance all over the world.

The success of the conference was such that even the students of the Institut del Teatre published the following comment of thanks on social networks:

Without words before what happened yesterday during the conference of ‘La Chana’ at the Institut del Teatre. That was more than a master lesson, it was a lesson in life. Chana emptied her soul before all of us, paying special attention to the young students who listened enthralled, absorbed, almost without breathing and holding back the tears of emotion. Thank you teacher for your knowledge, your words and, above all, your great love towards dance and towards people.