As part of our commitment to internationalization, performing arts research, and the preservation of theatrical heritage, we participated in the third edition of Creating Cultural Bridges. Co-organized by the Fundación Festival Internacional de Teatro Clásico de Almagro and Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), this 2026 edition was developed under the title "Reimagining the Classics: Margarita Xirgu as a Performing Arts Bridge".

This year's edition held a dual strategic significance: it served as the preparatory framework for both the Centenary of the Generation of '27 and the 50th Anniversary of the Almagro Festival (1977–2027), while successfully consolidating stable collaboration networks with Uruguay and China.

Moving beyond the mere staging of productions, the project focused on building a long-term cultural infrastructure. The core objectives of our involvement in this network were:

Recovering the Memory of Exile: Reclaiming the figure of Margarita Xirgu as the great bond between Spain and Latin America. Her exile in Uruguay beginning in 1937 not only transformed the theatrical scene in Montevideo but also laid the pedagogical and institutional foundations that remain active today.

Methodological Internationalization: Exporting and exchanging methodologies for analyzing and staging the classic repertoire of the Spanish Golden Age.

Opening New Markets: Forging links with the Asian continent to engage new audiences and pave the way for the future circulation of theatre companies.

Our participation and the overall development of the project were structured throughout the year across the following international hubs and phases:

Phase I: Almagro Meeting (July 2026)

Location: Almagro, Spain.

Development: A laboratory for thought and strategic design. Institutional roundtables were held between key organizations from Spain and Uruguay to establish the foundations for the major commemorative exhibition scheduled for 2027.

Phase II: Outreach in Montevideo (October 2026)

Location: Centro Cultural de España (CCE) in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Development: The official launch of the GENIAS program at the CCE, accompanied by the institutional presentation of the Almagro Festival and professional networking sessions aimed at formalizing long-term bilateral cooperation agreements.

Phase III: International Corral Platform (October 2026)

Location: Escuela Municipal de Arte Dramático (EMAD) in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Development: A space for pedagogical exchange focused on young creators, centering on methodological connection and the staging of the theatrical project De ida y vuelta ("Round Trip").

Phase V: Scouting Mission in China (October 2026)

Location: Wuzhen Theatre Festival and Shanghai Grand Theatre (China).

Development: Cultural diplomacy and market exploration in Asia. High-level meetings were held to identify local creators, present the festival, and formalize exchange agreements for companies ahead of the 50th edition of the La Mancha festival.

Through this collaboration, we leave a permanent record of our active role in a network that connects the history of our classics with the future of the global stage. This project stands as a testament to how pedagogy, research, and contemporary creation can unite to prove that classical theatre remains a living medium, capable of engaging in dialogue with any culture worldwide