Barcelona continues to strengthen its commitment to civic centers as part of a strategy to improve the city’s cultural image. In this context, the Barcelona Districte Cultural (BDC) program returns with 380 free activities distributed in 47 facilities, with the aim of bringing art and culture to all neighborhoods of the Catalan capital. The event, which will run from October 2024 to May 2025, has a budget of 1.8 million euros and seeks to make culture an accessible experience for all citizens.
Improvements in the cultural image
The BDC program was born seven years ago, driven by the Institut de Cultura de Barcelona (ICUB). Since its creation in 2017, it has grown significantly, starting with just 10 civic centers and expanding to the current 47. The project, which has evolved with each edition, is changing its nomenclature this year. What was previously known simply as Barcelona Districte Cultural – a space dedicated to circus shows, concerts, dance and theater – will now be called “Escena,” while the name Barcelona Districte Cultural brings together all the activities of the Xarxa de Centres Cívics and other cultural facilities.
The Councilor for Culture, Xavier Marcé, stressed the importance of consolidating this concept of “Cultural District”, unifying all artistic initiatives under a single program. According to Marcé, this project has been key in the city’s socio-cultural sphere, reaching more than 280,000 people with 3,300 performances over the last few years.
This year, an additional effort has been made to ensure a high quality offer, structured in four key areas: Scena (performing arts), Pantalla (cinema in the neighborhoods), Temporals (visual arts) and Argumenta (thought and reflection).
Performing arts circuit
The “Scene” modality includes a performing arts program that will take place between October and December. Eight theatrical productions will stand out in this edition, among them Malparida, by Mauèutica Produccions; La Muda, by Marina Guiu Almenara and the Colectivo Hartístico; and Tituba, bruixa, negra i ramera, by Periferia Cimarronas. In addition, the program will feature humorous shows such as Charlas de Azucarillo, by the company Las Couchers, and experimental proposals such as Lady Panda, by Lara Poch and Mumusic. There will also be dance performances by artists and collectives such as The Roots Nomad Dance Collective, Cristina López, Isabelle Laudenbach, Carmen Muñoz and the brothers Víctor and Raúl Armero.
Accessible cinema in the neighborhoods
The Pantalla modality seeks to bring cinema to the different neighborhoods of Barcelona with a total of 70 free screenings of 10 films. Among the selected titles are As Bestas, Sala de profesores and Robot Dreams. In addition, six family sessions will be offered with films such as Dúnia and El gato Tabby. In total, there will be 90 screenings distributed in different civic centers of the city.
Exhibitions and visual arts
The Temporals program will offer five exhibitions that will be available in eight civic centers. These exhibitions will feature works by artists such as Miquel Garcia, Núria Nia, Mònica Roselló, Jordi Guillaumet, Fabrizio Contarino and Col-lectiu Hamaca. Starting in the spring of 2025, nine other exhibition projects will be added in 13 civic centers, with the participation of artists such as Marc Larré, Nathalie Rey and Faeiz Arash, further expanding the visual arts offer.
Colloquiums and reflection to improve cultural image
Finally, Argumenta is the modality dedicated to thought and reflection. Between October and March, 11 colloquia will be held on the theme of emergency. These meetings will be attended by leading intellectuals, teachers, journalists and activists, including Aina Tarabini, Miquel Missé, Jordi Armadans and Josep Maria Ganyet. The colloquia will focus on addressing current issues and generating constructive dialogues between participants and the public.
Jazz sessions and novelties
Among the novelties of this edition, the inclusion of two jazz sessions at the Urgell Civic Center stands out. The trumpeter and singer Alba Careta will star in these activities, which will begin on October 28 with a guided listening of her album, followed by a colloquium in which the artist will explain in detail her work. The series will conclude with a concert on November 7. According to Judit Balash, the center’s programmer, this is a unique opportunity for the public not only to enjoy the music, but also to delve into the artist’s creative process.
With this wide range of proposals, the Barcelona Districte Cultural program continues to consolidate itself as a key platform for the democratization of culture in the city.
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