Next Tuesday, March 3, the Teatro Alameda in Seville will host the premiere of Anostraka, a stage production that addresses one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time: invasive alien species. Through the expressive languages of dance, music and poetry, the performance invites audiences to reflect on collective responsibility in safeguarding biodiversity.

The production is part of the AlienArte project by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), an initiative of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities that promotes innovative approaches to science communication through art. The project brings together scientists from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC) and creators from the fields of art and culture, including the Matisse School of Art (San Lorenzo de El Escorial) and the Alicia Alonso Higher Institute of Dance (ISDAA/IUDAA, Rey Juan Carlos University). It is supported by the Casa de la Ciencia Museum (CSIC) and the Tragsa Group.

The project places special emphasis on young audiences and inclusion. The morning performance (11:00 a.m.) is part of the #TEATReVES programme run by the Seville Institute of Culture and the Arts (ICAS), which is aimed at secondary school, sixth-form and vocational training students and promotes engagement with the performing arts as an educational tool. The performance will include simultaneous sign-language interpretation, helping ensure accessibility for people with hearing impairments. In addition to the session for educational audiences, there will also be an evening performance open to the general public (8:00 p.m.).

A collective reflection

Under the slogan “I don’t release my pet. I protect biodiversity,” students attending the school performance will receive a small booklet printed on recycled paper to use as a classroom resource for exploring and reflecting on invasive alien species and individual responsibility in preventing their spread.

The aim is to convey a key message: small everyday actions and decisions—such as buying an animal or plant and later releasing it into the wild outside its natural environment—can have a decisive impact on biodiversity conservation.

The event will conclude with a three-way discussion bringing together science, art and society, creating a space for dialogue about both the environmental issue and the creative process behind the production, while giving spectators an active voice in the conversation.

The Casa de la Ciencia Museum in Seville, part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and also a partner in the initiative, together with Teatro Alameda, once again reinforces its commitment to scientific, inclusive and creative culture by offering both school audiences and the general public a stage experience designed to inform—on a scientific basis—while inspiring reflection and change.