Casco Viejo, Panama
Casco Antiguo, Panama
Real Estate at Panama´s Historic City


Colegio del Cuerpo is a dance troupe from Cartagena that was born in the poorest area of Colombia´s historic town. It was founded by Alvaro Restrepo, taking children from the streets and opening the doors of art to them. Ten years later, the company is worldclass. Interesting, well trainned, produces beautiful and meaningful ballets. After their presentation in Panama last year at the Sobresaltos Dance Festival in Casco Viejo, the Oficina del Casco Antiguo worked with them to set up a similar program in Panama. It was a dream for the fifteen kids who originally participated in Sobresaltos... now they are far more.

Space was the main challenge, but finally could find it at the orphanage that is run by the Bethlemitas Nuns in Terraplen. Children now have a wonderful classroom, ocean view, where they can get inspired, and truly learn. So many things get learned through dance: team work, performance, discipline. It is a life changing experience.

Last week, the official inauguration of the program took place at Plaza Bolívar, at the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Colegio del Cuerpo did a great show in front of a large number of kids, now all future dancers.  To see Alvaro Restrepo say at the end: "my dancers where your age when they started" and to see the results right there, was simply incredible. Congratulations to the Oficina del Casco Antiguo and Colegio del Cuerpo who put it together, and to Analida who will be the Panamanian counterpart teaching these kids far more than movements and technique.