EN Contenido en inglés — la residencia se desarrolla íntegramente en inglés · Traducción al español pendiente
Madrid – Cercedilla
The international laboratory where dance is lived, learned and reinvented
DATES
14–22 November 2026
VENUE
El Colladito · Cercedilla · Madrid
LANGUAGE
English
Balfolk is the contemporary face of traditional dances, the necessary change that followed the disruption of the pillars of the old rural and urban societies. And it is still changing but, how?
Cenizas is the international laboratory where dancers, teachers and organisers gather to exchange, learn, teach, confront and, essentially, grow. In its 6th edition, we’ll commit with the dance as movement, with the specific rhythms and histories, with what an event is, with the cultural aspects of the social dance, with the pedagogy to transmit it.
Cenizas means «ashes»: we are the phoenix starting its journey, again and again, in a circle that embraces all of us, and goes beyond each one of us. We will re-build our communities, share knowledge and feelings, provide each other pedagogical tools and help each other to promote culture.
40 people during one week of hard work and hard fun will share their knowledge and energy to drive themselves and balfolk to newer lands, with a ratio of 2 teachers every 3 participants.
Confirmed residents 2026
Lou Mather (UK) · Leo Visser (NL) · Fabien Bucher (FR) · Dalia Pranauskaite (LT) · Diana Todorova (BG) · Victor Delage (FR) · Rafaela Calheiros (PT)
Rom Brook-Hart · DE/UK
Berlin-based physiotherapist and dancer: slowing down, couple-dance work between France and Sweden.
Aurora Cavazzin · IT/FR
From Turin; Laban-based work on weight, flux, time, space and rhythms.
Francesco & María · ES
Founders of Folqué? Madrid, hosts and coordinators of the residency. Pic: Veronique Chochon.
The residency happens fully in English. Fénix, the closing festival, runs in English and Spanish. Registration fee: 100€ — free cancellation until August 31st.
Albergue El Colladito, Camino de los Campamentos 1, Cercedilla (Madrid). Around 1h40 by Cercanías train from Madrid or the airport, then 5 minutes walking uphill. cercedilla.elcolladito.com
Sheets and blankets included. A shared room of 4 is included; doubles and singles available with a supplement. Omnivore, vegetarian and vegan diets — tell us about any allergy.
Residency: 14–20 November 2026. Festival: 20–22 November. Registration fee 100€, with free cancellation until August 31st.
The things people ask us most about the residency. If yours is not here, write to us — we answer everything.
Cenizas is open to dancers and musicians of any background who want to spend a week working deeply on Balfolk. Places are limited and we read every application — tell us where you are in your practice and what you hope to find here.
Some experience helps, but the residency is not a competition. If you can follow a basic mazurka, scottish and bourrée you will be fine. If you are unsure, write to us and we will talk it through.
Residents stay for the whole week and follow the full programme. Kamikazes join for a shorter stretch, taking part in selected sessions and the evening bals.
Accommodation at El Colladito, meals, all classes and sessions, and the evening bals. Travel to and from the venue is not included.
English is the working language of Cenizas, both in class and in shared moments. Spanish is spoken informally and we help with translation whenever it is needed.
El Colladito is in the mountains near Madrid. Most people arrive by car and we open a shared-ride list a few weeks before. There is also a bus from Madrid plus a short transfer.
Dance shoes you can wear indoors, comfortable layers for the mountains, a water bottle, your instrument if you play, and something warm for the evenings. Bedding and towels: to be confirmed.
Cancellations made well in advance are refunded minus a small administrative fee; closer to the residency the refund is partial, since places and food are already committed.
Still not sure? folquemadrid@gmail.com — we read every message.
Organised by Asociación Folqué? Madrid.
María: +34 652 483 969 · Francesco: +34 617 123 144
folquemadrid@gmail.com