The local festivities are here, and there's no better way to celebrate than gathering at the Canòdrom. On October 3rd, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, the venue will come alive with live radio and music.
The Canòdrom – Ateneu d’Innovació Digital i Democràtica opens its doors to celebrate two local festivities (festes majors), that of Congrés and Indians. Sharing the airwaves with initiatives and projects that work to reconstruct historical memory, combat the climate emergency with the help of technology, and defend the city’s digital rights. We will learn stories from neighbors documenting life in the neighborhood, from citizen science to struggles for a fairer democracy. A space to connect, laugh, learn, and, above all, enjoy a good time in great company.
Accompanied by the Xarxa de Ràdio Comunitàries de Barcelona, the day will begin on October 3 with the live recording of the episode “Obrim micros!” and will focus on current issues affecting the neighborhood and the city. Among the guest speakers will be neighbors documenting the history of Congrés and Indians, as well as people participating in projects at the facility.
Projects reflecting Canòdrom’s leadership and revitalizing the neighborhood’s memory
During the event, projects aimed at recovering, documenting, and transforming the collective memory of the Congrés and Indians neighborhood will be presented, involving the local community in their creation and development. Among the projects is “Fem Memòries”, an open initiative for the community that works to recover the everyday memories of the neighborhood, turning them into collective and visual documentation through Decidim.
Another project to be presented is “Ballant a ritme dels records”, a photographic exhibition focused on dance as a community and intergenerational art form. From the majorette shows of the eighties to popular festivals and the activities of the neighborhood’s dance schools, the exhibition features photographs contributed by residents and selected by a collective curatorship. It has been displayed in three emblematic spaces in the neighborhood: Can Clariana, the Casal de barri del Congrés-Indians, and the Canòdrom, and is part of the Calidoscopi Cultural program of Sant Andreu 2023-2024.
In the realm of digital violence, the project “FemBloc” will be presented, a non-profit initiative addressing the growing issue of gender-based violence online. This project features experts in self-defense and holistic security with a feminist and intersectional perspective, offering support to women experiencing digital violence by providing them with tools to confront it and overcome current legal limitations.
The climate crisis is one of today’s main challenges. In this regard, two projects will be presented that show how technology can help mitigate climate change. On the one hand, the “Decidim Fest”, which returns this year with an event exploring how participation and technology can contribute to a more ecological and democratic society.
On the other hand, the project “Cròniques de la Calor” will be presented, a citizen science project driven by the research group OpenSystems. This involved the community in measuring the temperature of public spaces in the neighborhood during episodes of extreme heat this past June. This initiative collected geolocated data and developed proposals to transform urban spaces with the aim of improving the well-being of the neighborhood and the city.
Finally, the research project “Joves, pantalles i acció” will give voice to young people about the impact of screens on their daily lives. The third-year ESO students from the Institut l’Alzina will present the conclusions of their research, on digitalization and its relationship with childhood and adolescence, and will offer a critical perspective from their own point of view.
Live music with the local band KM.0
The day will conclude with a live concert by the local band KM.0, bringing a festive touch with their music to an afternoon full of energy, culture, and community. This musical group consists of seven musicians from different parts of Catalonia, united by their passion for music and by a project that began with a poem. It all started with the piece “A tu,” which inspired their first joint creation, published in September 2021.
The group, formed before the Covid-19 pandemic, has been consolidating over the past few years, performing across stages throughout Catalonia since 2022. Their music, as their name suggests, is of local origin and homegrown, with touches of electronic pop that give their songs a fresh and festive vibe. KM.0’s live performance is an explosion of energy and good vibes. This October, they will present their first EP “Les coses que som” at Canòdrom, created at the Escola Superior del Taller de Músics. An invitation to love oneself and to cherish moments with the people who matter most, promising to make attendees dance.
Other events in celebration of the local festivities (festes majors)
As part of the local festivities (festes majors), Canòdrom is organizing other notable events to connect with local history and enjoy the celebration. During the Fiesta Major dels Indians, on September 26, from 6 to 7 PM, a free guided tour will be offered to discover the history of the building and its surroundings. With curiosities such as the importation of greyhound racing by King Alfonso XIII or the inauguration of the Canòdrom during the Franco dictatorship, this activity provides a comprehensive view of the facility and its impact on the community.
On October 9, from 10 to 11:30 AM, the “Morning of Memories” will take place at the Fiesta Major del Congrés. The space invites all residents to bring their old photographs and share their stories. This activity will mark the beginning of Canòdrom’s autumn historical memory project, which aims to promote dialogue between generations and creatively document the past and present of the neighborhood to build its future.
