On 9th July, the Ballet Nacional de España will hold a solidarity performance dedicated to Palestine at Madrid’s Teatro de la Zarzuela, it was announced today.

The event will feature the production ‘Afanador’, with all proceeds from the performance allocated to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) for humanitarian work in Gaza.

Additionally, organisers have established a «zero row» for those wishing to support UNRWA’s humanitarian response in Gaza without attending the event.

The initiative is led by the Ministry of Culture and the National Institute for the Performing Arts and Music (INAEM), at a critical moment where over two million people in Gaza endure the consequences of more than 20 months of Israeli military offensive.

According to Spain’s Ministry of Culture, the population faces extreme conditions, with severely restricted access to food and water and a growing risk of famine.

«UNRWA continues to provide vital assistance in health, education, water and sanitation, protection and psychosocial support, thanks to the work of over 12,000 Agency staff in Gaza,» the source noted.

Afanador is a Spanish and contemporary dance production, created and directed by Marcos Morau. The performance draws inspiration from Ruven Afanador’s photographic works on flamenco, featured in his books ‘Gypsy Angel’ and ‘A Thousand Kisses’.

In May 2025, the Talía Awards – granted by Spain’s Academy of Performing Arts – awarded Afanador prizes for Best Dance Production and Best Choreography.

Furthermore, this week, the XXVIII Max Awards for Performing Arts 2025 honoured the production with accolades for Best Dance Show, Best Stage Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design and Best Musical Composition.

The Ballet Nacional de España (BNE) has been Spain’s leading public dance company since its founding in 1978 as the Ballet Nacional Español, with Antonio Gades as its first director.