Artists in Las Palmas pioneered freedom through performance

In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, Luis Lorite began creating the ‘Viejas Glorias’ (Old Glories) Archive to recover and celebrate the artistic legacy of trans and travesti performers from 1976 to 1998.

Lorite started the project after meeting Margaret García, a trans artist who dreamed of reconnecting with her audience. García passed away the same week the archive received funding from the Instituto de las Mujeres, turning the project into a tribute to her memory.

Lorite aimed to show these artists not as victims, but as skilled performers who filled venues like the Britania theater for over a decade, attracting tourists and establishing a vibrant cultural scene in the city as it emerged from a 40-year dictatorship. He confirmed his belief that these artists were successful creators and interpreters who captivated audiences with their shows. These performers embodied a new national freedom, using song, dance, and humor to push boundaries and challenge societal norms.

The ‘Viejas Glorias’ Archive is an ongoing project, collecting photographs, programs, and other materials to preserve the history of these artists and foster dialogue between them and the public. Lorite believes art’s sole purpose is to be transformative.