MEXICO City — More than a decade on, the Despertares Gala continues to marvel aficionados and visitors alike, bringing together an international clutch of top-notch dancers who perform both classical and contemporary works, emphasising choreography and depth over virtuosity or technical appeal.
Cued by the cosmic ripples of a wealth of scores, Isaac and Emilia Hernandez’s willingness to broaden the gaze of dance beyond Mexico was all about empowering creative energies this season. Dancers clustered together and spun apart in full throttle.
Isaac Hernandez, when backed by an entire group of young dancers while teaching class, moved with concentrated, comet-like force, and his fearless solo at the end of rehearsals sat at a high point, where a steady interplay of jumps and gestures remained as uniform as the music.
@despertaresmex | Photo courtesy of @soulartsproductions | Photographer: @nathmartinphoto
Indeed, the Gala (which took place on 30 August in Mexico City) has all the zeitgeist of a modern-day heaven: the harlequin ballet floor at the National Auditorium was set up by a crew that traveled all the way from Guadalajara in a trailer truck, fully insured and carefully installed to guarantee that dancers performed under the best possible conditions. “We bring in every single element—lights, sound, staging, flooring—to transform it into a space ready to host 10,000 attendees each year,” said Emilia Hernandez, Executive Producer and Co-founder of Soul Arts Productions.
The performers, as they delved deeper into rehearsals, grew ever more assured. The Gala followed an established format with a dash of innovation — intimate relationships flourished and were reflected in smiles to live piano music — yet it’s rare to encounter an all-encompassing tribute to dance with such range and nuance of emotion, from technical bravado and nostalgia to dedication, sincerity, and love.
@despertaresmex | Photo courtesy of @soulartsproductions | Photographer: @nathmartinphoto
@despertaresmex | Photo courtesy of @soulartsproductions | Photographer: @nathmartinphoto
Despertares is not just a ballet performance — it is a cultural phenomenon unlike any other in Mexico or the world, a performance that showcases the country on the international stage and establishes it as a meeting point for the biggest stars in global dance. Its existence proves that Mexico can not only host the most important artists in the world, but also produce world-class stage experiences. This year’s artists included Esteban Hernández, Gabriele Frola, Alina Cojocaru, Kayla Mak, Nikisha Fogo, and Sae Eun Park, to name a few.
“It’s the greatest privilege I’ve had as a professional dancer. Being able to present this show in Mexico will always be my greatest joy as an artist. It once seemed impossible to achieve,” opined Hernandez.
“I am thrilled that audiences in Mexico can experience such a special cast and enjoy, through Despertares, the most relevant talents from the world of dance. I also believe this brings great growth and knowledge to the dance industry in our country. This year, Banamex is making it possible for Despertares to return to the Auditorio Nacional, which is incredibly special — without their support, this performance would not be possible in our country.”
@despertaresmex | Photo courtesy of @soulartsproductions | Photographer: @nathmartinphoto
His sister, Emilia, concurs. “Since this show began 11 years ago — now established as the largest ballet performance in the world — it has been both a privilege and a huge responsibility to produce an event of this scale and vision, celebrating international artistic excellence and projecting Mexico on the global cultural stage.
Bringing it to life involves a demanding and complex production, where each edition represents the challenge to grow, maintain excellence, and consolidate both with audiences and with those who make it possible and share the vision of what this show means for Mexico. This year, as last year, I celebrate that Banamex is once again presenting Despertares in Mexico. It’s a valuable and essential collaboration that makes this show possible.”
by Chidozie Obasi