“The Garden of the Hesperides” is a Spanish-Moroccan project that has been developed through an exhaustive research process and through various workshops held with Moroccan and Spanish women in Casablanca and Valladolid, giving rise to the creation of this piece of dance-theater.
A show, which is a hymn to women, on a round trip between cultures and their peculiarities, and which serves to celebrate the 25 years of history of the Alicia Soto-Hojarasca company. Created in three artistic residencies, Thèâtre Ain Harrouda, Casablanca, Centro Cultural Serrada, and Teatro Calderón de Valladolid, The garden of the Hesperides It premiered on September 25 and 26, 2020 at the Calderón Theater in Valladolid with the support of the Calderón Theater in Valladolid and General Subdirectorate of International Relations and European Union, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Visages Program.
The show has earned the seal of the 5th Centenary of Magellan's First Circumnavigation of the World, for its quality and theme.
Published by Le Quotidien after the performance on March 20, 2025, at the 4ème art Theatre in Tunis, opening the Tunis Théâtres du Monde festival.
Published by Mohamed Sami on Backstage30.com after the March 20, 2025 performance at the 4ème art Theatre in Tunis, opening the Tunis Théâtres du Monde festival.
In this performance, Alicia Soto makes us reflect on two philosophical thoughts: "Cogito Ergo Sum" (I think therefore I am) by Descartes, thus begins the work. But the artist proposes to us that we really are and exist because we build and create our life by walking… walking.
The confinement in the sand is the metaphor of the human being, of reconnecting with our self, our ego, with our body, our animal and more primitive instinct. The sand is that stealthy element that is almost imperceptible, but powerful, the obstacle that makes us fall and get up to continue forward.
No matter how much technology, modern cities and great advances human intelligence develops, humans continue to be solitary "animals" in search of our lives. "Ambulo Ergo Sum" (Camino Then I Exist) by Gassendi, thus closes the work.
Accompanied by video images of the work of photographer Ángel Marcos, landscapes and nature, and soundtracked by an excellent musical composition by artists Yoko-Lennon.
Walking is the metaphor of the Dream of escaping from emotional confinement, it is the metaphor of the beginning of life.
Artistic Direction and Choreography: Alicia Soto
Dancers-Performers: Julián Gómez Pavón, Alicia Soto
Musical Creation: Luis la Forga
Video and photography: Luis Antonio Barajas
Creative design: José Navarro
Communication: Virginia Grigelmo
Administration: Sofía García Fernández
Management: João Sousa Marques
Costumes: Alicia Soto – Hojarasca
Regards (Looks) It is a show to encourage the gaze that moves between the playful, the poetic and the contemporary. Creating a new dramaturgy of images, of great beauty and poetry, which is divided into four acts or scenes, using contemporary dance and Break dance as artistic language, not only in an encounter but in a dialogue.
A choreographic and dramaturgical journey in which the presence of Morocco and a multicultural influence can be glimpsed, with ethnic sounds, and spiritual and electronic songs that create urban and natural landscapes.
The conception of the show starts from the duet, and Estudio 3: Miradas). The choreographer, driven to continue investigating the concept of the gaze, was inspired to create a broader program that revolved around our desires and the relationship with others from our own or someone else's perspective.
Duration 60 minutes.
Particular Creation Process between artistic residences and representations:
Created in different artistic residences, between Spain and Morocco, with the collaboration of the Cervantes Institute of Casablanca, the Patio Corsario, Valladolid, La Nave del Duende, Casar de Cáceres and the Principal Theater of Burgos.
This show culminates after a year of work and artistic relationship between Alicia Soto and Julián Gómez Pabón.
Each city has been a place of common work and search, which culminated in a presentation with the public, to share, listen and continue to encourage the look.
During 2018, it was presented in different Spanish cities, always in the process of creation.
It premieres internationally in September 2018 at the Stage Dance Festival Shanghai. China. With a great reception.
National premiere at the Teatro Principal de Burgos, April 26, 2019.
So far there are no new sessions planned
We will inform you once a month of the company's activities.
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