Interview with Quino Falero

Contemporary dance has always had a faithful audience on Lanzarote, and exciting, experimental performances have been a strong feature of the island’s cultural scene for several years. One of the people responsible for that is Quino Falero, who grew up in near the Charco de San Ginés in Arrecife.

In his teens, Quino was inspired by theatre and the vibrant, innovative artistic scene that César Manrique brought to the island. He went on to become a prolific theatre director and TV presenter, and is the creator and director of Escena Lanzarote, a festival of the performing arts that takes place in the winter and spring of each year.

We spoke to Quino last month at the Jameos del Agua, just before the Daniel Abreu Company’s poetic and moving performance in this year’s festival.

What is the idea behind Escena Lanzarote?

Escena Lanzarote aims to keep the spaces that César Manrique created relevant and dynamic by promoting arts with a universal language – that is, spectacles such as dance, music and mime where the language barrier doesn’t exist. It’s not exactly a festival without words, but it’s aimed at an audience of all backgrounds.

As a teenager in the 1980s, I was lucky enough to be able to see performers such as Marcel Marceau, Lindsay Kemp and the Momix Company perform in the Jameos. It changed my life, and I’d like to carry that inspiration on.

That’s why training and education is also a part of the festival – an attempt to bring guests into contact with the local scene through workshops and other events

What shows do you aim to attract?

Ones that have a strong artistic proposal. These aren’t the sort of shows you see in the hotels. What’s really important is that the venue should bring something to the performance and vice versa.

Manrique’s spaces are utterly unique and magical. Which of them have you used and which are yet to host events?

There have been events at the Jameos, the Cueva de los Verdes, the Castillo de San José. I’d love to put events on at the Mirador del Rio and Timanfaya, but those places present difficulties. Every one of Manrique’s spaces has its possibilities, but I love the Jameos del Agua – it’s a very special place for me.

What has been the biggest success of the festival so far?

Just a few weeks ago the Jameos was completely sold out for a performance of Viva!! By Manuel Liñan’s company. This is a show where seven talented male dancers perform in the traditional dress and style of female dancers, and it’s been a big success in London, New York and many other places.

It was exactly the sort of thing we want to showcase. I love flamenco, but I didn’t want to just bring traditional dancers. There has to be an artistic idea, something brand new.

Actors and dancers have a saying “love is a full theatre”, but it’s not just about selling tickets. In art it’s necessary to support less popular ideas.

Events such as the Saborea Food Fair, carnival and Lava Live are becoming increasingly significant tourist attractions. Does tourism play a part in your plans?

Of course. Cultural tourism is an important element of what we do, and there’s also an important international community resident on the island. It’s a little more difficult for Escena Lanzarote to promote itself, as it’s not something that happens over a few days – it’s several events programmed over many months, but we’re getting a better response all the time and a growing audience of faithful supporters.