Drag artist Andrigina recently spoke on GasteizBerri about the concerning decline of the LGTBI+ scene in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Ahead of her participation in the second edition of the cultural event Gaste Plaza, the artist highlighted the absence of specific entertainment and meeting places for the community in the city.
“"It's not that there's barely a scene, but that there are no spaces, there are no leisure venues. It's a very basic thing."
Andrigina explained that over recent years, Vitoria-Gasteiz has gone from having several LGTBI+ venues to practically none. Establishments like La Cassette have already closed, and El Satélite is on the verge of doing so. This situation, which she described as “zero patatero” (a complete failure), not only means losing places for nightlife but also the disappearance of vital spaces for visibility, gathering, and community building, where many individuals could interact normally and feel a sense of belonging.
During the interview, Andrigina drew a comparison with Bilbao, a city she views with some “envy” due to its more vibrant LGTBI+ scene, featuring more venues, activities, and overall movement. The artist believes this difference cannot be solely attributed to the size of the cities but also to a lack of institutional support in Vitoria-Gasteiz. She cited the City Council's failure to display the rainbow flag on Pride Day and the absence of stable cultural programming aimed at the collective. The symbolic rainbow crosswalk, promoted by Javier Maroto and later removed by a subsequent government, was also mentioned.
Andrigina's own artistic journey reflects this lack of spaces. She recounted how for years she had to independently seek out venues to perform in a city with limited opportunities for her artistic proposals. Although she now receives more invitations, the path has not been easy. Her artistic style, which she defines as “drag clown,” has an autobiographical component and is organized into “eras,” currently in the “youth” stage. Her style draws from pop, humor, and direct interaction with the audience.
This Saturday, April 18, Andrigina will present her show Andre Ginarengaztaroa at 10:00 PM in Brullería, as part of the Gaste Plaza program. The event will take place at various locations in the Old Town, including Santa María Square, Brullería, and Machete Square. There will also be a community mural and a craft market, known as Mercatuáberna. The program will start at 11:00 AM and run until midnight, with alternative plans in case of bad weather. While Gaste Plaza is a significant cultural event, Andrigina emphasizes that a one-off program alone does not solve the lack of stable spaces for the LGTBI+ community in Vitoria-Gasteiz.
