The Fuerteventura Book Fair is set to highlight the theme of migration through contemporary circus with the performance ‘Mahmud and not just Mahmud’. Puntocero Company will present the show this Sunday, 18 October, at 17:00 in the Symphony Hall of the Palace of Training and Congresses.
This performance is inspired by the true story of Mahmud Traoré, as recounted in the book ‘Partir para contar’, co-authored by Traoré and Bruno Le Dantec. It explores the harrowing journey from Senegal to Europe, marked by uncertainty, exploitation, and the struggle for survival.
Beyond recounting an individual experience, the performance aims to shed light on the myriad personal stories behind migration and the circumstances that compel many to leave their homes. The title reflects the intention to transcend a specific narrative and give visibility to the many lives and experiences that often go unnoticed.
Directed by Zenaida Alcalde, with dramaturgy by Silvia Albert Sopale and Alcalde, ‘Mahmud and not just Mahmud’ combines acrobatics, physical theatre, and live music to convey Traoré's testimony through a theatrical lens. The cast includes Thomas King, Betiza Bismark, Elvis Kyengo Kakiti, Colins Ouna Opiyo, and Joel Bwana Anabaka.
Puntocero Company, founded by Zenaida Alcalde and Miguel Muñoz, is known for developing a unique theatrical language that merges circus, magic, and physical theatre. Since its premiere at the Teatro Circo Price in Madrid in 2023, ‘Mahmud and not just Mahmud’ has toured various national stages and festivals, including dFERIA in San Sebastián and the International Theatre Festival of Badajoz.
This initiative enriches the Fuerteventura Book Fair's programme by connecting performing arts with memory, literature, and social commitment. The performance invites audiences to engage with a real testimony, challenge simplistic views on migration, and approach a complex reality through the lens of human experience.
The Fuerteventura Book Fair is organised by the Insular Library Centre, under the Culture Department of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, in collaboration with the Canary Islands Institute of Cultural Development and the Vice-Ministry of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Family of the regional government.
