All my life breathing music and dance
My name is Isabel Martí i Chulià, and I was born in Xàtiva. From a very young age, I was immersed in music and dance at home, and at just eight years old, I was already dancing at the Xàtiva Dance School with maestro Sebastià Garrido. That experience left a lasting impression on me, and I soon began teaching children's dance to the little ones as well.
A life dedicated to traditional dance in the Marina Alta and beyond
Over time, life led me to the Marina Alta. Since 1986, I've been working and participating in the Portitxol Dance Group in Jávea and the Pedreguer Dance Group. Later, I joined the Font Santa Dance Group in Teulada and the Morro Falqué Dance Group in Benitachell, as well as the towns of Ondara, Xaló, Calp, Dénia, Benidorm, Castell de Castells, Beniarbeig, Jesús Pobre, el Verger, la Xara, and even Barcelona and Mallorca!
In all of them, I've been fortunate enough to teach, learn, and grow as a member, teacher, and artistic director, and I continue to share this passion with the people of the town and with new generations.
Recovering dances and rituals because they are not lost in time
One of the challenges that has excited me most over the years has been recovering dances and rituals that were on the verge of being lost. In Jávea, Teulada, Pedreguer, and Benitachell, we've once again filled the streets with dances that hadn't been seen in decades, and I've also contributed to reviving ritual dances such as theBall de Vetes and the Dansa de les Pastoretes de Xàbia.
A life dedicated to the study and dissemination of traditional Valencian clothing
At the same time, traditional clothing has been another of my great passions. In 1994, I gathered more than 300 original pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries for an exhibition in Jávea, and since then, I have continuously studied and disseminated Valencian costume through talks, conferences, and publications. In 2005, I developed the costume protocol for the Teulada festival, and more recently, in 2024, I researched the evolution of the costume over 75 years of the Jávea Bonfires, a project that was displayed in a parade and in the 75th birthday exhibition.
The greatest reward: seeing dance and tradition reborn in new generations
Along the way I have been lucky enough to receive recognitions such as the Vila de Pedreguer Honor Award for cultural merit (2004), the 9 d'Octuber Award for Civic Values of Xàbia (2019) or the Forcat Award (2024). But, more than the awards, what really makes me happy is seeing people dancing in the streets again and how the youngest discover that these traditions are also theirs.
