The Dantzatu championship celebrated its tenth edition in Bilbao, establishing itself as a benchmark for modern, urban, and freestyle dance. La Casilla square was the venue where over 1,200 dancers gathered throughout the day, attracting more than 2,000 spectators. Participants came from all over Euskadi, as well as from neighboring regions such as Cantabria, Navarra, and Burgos, and even from Galicia or Madrid in previous editions.
“"There weren't that many competitions here. We needed more stages."
According to Egoitz González, one of the organizers, the first edition was put together in just two months, and since then, the competition has become one of the most powerful in the north. Its success is such that this year registrations had to be closed a month in advance. Beatriz Pérez highlighted the positive impact on the local economy, with cafes, bars, and restaurants benefiting, and the creation of a friendly and collaborative atmosphere among parents, children, and schools.
One of the distinctive features of the championship is the wide range of ages, encompassing participants from five years old to over sixty. González emphasizes that “a brutal intergenerationality is created. It’s a family feeling.” The Superstar group, the most veteran participants in this edition, aged between 57 and 60 and originally from Bilbao, have spent two months preparing a choreography inspired by New York.
“"My goal is not for them to win, but for them to progress, to have confidence in themselves, to go out calmly and convey."
Itziar del Val, a choreographer from Bilbao, stresses the difficulty of developing projects in the dance world, which underscores the importance of events like Dantzatu. The jury, composed of Cuca Pon, Evelio Notario, and Cris Llusá, seeks “new perspectives,” as explained by the organizers. In addition to economic prizes, trophies, medals, and scholarships, the championship fosters a spirit of community that is evident in spontaneous rehearsals and mutual support among participants.
