Tertulia, Receptari Mescladís: Imaginary Migrants

February 26th, 2025 at Altell de Mescladís Lliure Montjuïc

On February 26, Mescladís hosted a new edition of its cycle Receptari Mescladís, entitled Imaginary Migrants. In this space, dialogue became the common thread to explore how migratory experiences translate into new cultural narratives and the reconstruction of the personal and collective imaginary.

During the discussion, organized by journalist and writer Belén López Peiró, a conversation was spun around the question: "How is the migrant imaginary constructed and how does it influence the perception of borders?" A question that served as a starting point to analyze how the transit between cultures transforms identity and creativity.

Among the participants were recognized voices from the artistic and literary fields. Belén López Peiró herself, with her experience as a writer, opened and mediated the debate on the transformation of cultural narratives and the generation of new imaginaries based on the experience of migration. The poet and activist Fátima Saheb contributed her sensitivity and commitment by highlighting the importance of making stories of resilience visible, while the illustrator Rocío Quillahuaman shared her personal and professional experience, highlighting how her works denounce and reconfigure migrant realities. Likewise, the testimony of musician Ahyvin Bruno, vocalist of Las Karamba, echoed the personal and artistic transformation of leaving Caracas and arriving in Barcelona, while writer Sara Guerrero reflected on the reinvention of identity and the crossing of languages.

The discussion delved into the analysis of the migrant imaginary as a space where stories, symbols and traditions intertwine. It was discussed how migration drives us to rethink physical and cultural borders, and how this experience becomes a creative resource that invites us to redraw identities. In this sense, the meeting was a call to reflect on the way in which art becomes a tool to question and reconstruct the barriers that separate the known from the unknown.

The gathering also opened the door to a debate on the influence of language and territory on artistic creation. The participants analyzed the tension between the language of origin and the codes of origin and those of the host country, and how this duality enriches works and opens new paths in cultural expression. The discussion, marked by literary and philosophical references, highlighted the complexity of building an identity that transcends borders and is redefined in each migratory experience.

In addition, the Receptari Mescladís cycle was not limited to dialogue, but combined art, poetry and music in a comprehensive proposal that celebrated diversity and the transformative capacity of migrants. The meeting spaces, full of flavor and creativity, reflect the richness of shared stories and Mescladís' commitment to inclusion and cultural innovation.

Artistic and musical interventions were provided by groups and artists such as Las Karamba, the Poetry is not dead group and the students of the Cuinant Oportunitats program, who, with the help of chef Jordi Herrera, delighted the attendees with an appetizer prepared by the students from the reflection of the theme of the gathering, turning these dialogues and thoughts into a conceptual dish.

In short, Imaginary Migrants was an exercise in deep reflection on how migration not only transforms individual and collective identity, but also enriches the cultural and creative fabric of our society. With a multidisciplinary approach and an inclusive vision, the event reaffirmed Mescladís' commitment to foster spaces that inspire, question and, above all, connect people from diverse realities in the search for a more inclusive future.

Looking to the Future

The gathering was not only a space for reflection on how migrants build new imaginaries, but also an invitation to imagine possible futures. In that spirit, we remind you to check our agenda and social networks to know the next tertulias at Altell, Mescladís Lliure Montjuïc. 

Don't miss this opportunity to listen, dialogue and connect!