This initiative, developed by the Choreographic Center of La Gomera within the framework of Sinapsis, a cultural innovation accelerator funded by European funds, aims to create community spaces where citizens can improve their quality of life through bodily expression. The training session, held at the Choreographic Center of San Sebastián de La Gomera, served to present the results obtained during the program's two-year incubation period.
The event brought together professionals from the cultural, social, and educational fields, as well as the public interested in learning about this innovative proposal. Notable attendees included Cristóbal de la Rosa, Director General of Cultural Innovation and Creative Industries of the Government of Canarias; Juan Luis Navarro, Insular Director of the General State Administration in La Gomera; Rosa Elena García, Minister of Culture; and Angélica Padilla, Mayor of San Sebastián de La Gomera. Martín Padrón, director of the Dād Units, and Tony Murphy, an expert in the sociology of culture, also spoke.
The conference provided an in-depth look at the Dād model and the La Gomera Dād Unit, which is consolidating its position as a national reference center. After 25 years of activity, the Choreographic Center of La Gomera has been renamed Dād Unit La Gomera, marking a new phase in its evolution. This change reflects the consolidation of a project that foresees the progressive implementation of new units throughout Spain.
The Dād model is a living, constantly evolving proposal that transforms artistic practice into a tool for social transformation and care. With this manual, we aim to share knowledge born in La Gomera, but looking towards the future and the world.
During the presentation, the Dād Manual was also unveiled, compiling over two decades of work experience on the island and offering a practical guide for integrating art into social, educational, and community processes. Its publication represents a milestone in cultural and artistic innovation in the Canary Islands, making a replicable and adaptable model available to the public for various realities.
The Dād Units are thus conceived as centers for creation and care through choreographic practice, designed to be fully integrated into the cultural and social fabric of any community. The project has already begun its regional expansion in the Canary Islands, with presentations on each island, and will continue its deployment on the peninsula with upcoming events in Madrid and Almagro, within the framework of the Red de Teatros Summer School. The Dād Unit La Gomera is thus established as a model and reference for future developments nationwide.
