The third edition of the Biennial of Thought arrives in the autumn in a format which regains face-to-face activities after the second edition was conditioned by the restrictions for the Covid-19 crisis.

The synergy with Valencia and Palma is a new aspect to this year’s edition and makes for a stronger Mediterranean element in the Biennial, strengthening the involvement of metropolises in global challenges. All three cities place significant importance on collective reflection, the exploration of the unifying points and particularities of each one, and to sharing opportunities and solutions which improve people’s lives.

In Barcelona, the programme for this third edition has been designed by the Advisory Council for the Biennial, made up of the CCCB, Núria Moliner, Josep Ferrando, Liliana Arroyo, Ignacio Sánchez-Cuenca, Raül Garrigasait and Ángela Precht.

From 11 to 16 October, the Biennial invites us to stop and reflect, to share ideas, address the challenges of contemporary societies, linked to democratic practice, sustainability, technology and urban planning. The event opens up spaces for debate and the generation of open and diverse two-way dialogue.

People of Barcelona, welcome to the third edition of the Biennial of Thought!

What are the hours and how can people see the programme for the Biennial?

The full programme of activities for 11 to 16 October is now available on the website for the Biennial of Thought. The programme allows users to search by theme, location and day, and each of the activities includes detailed information, times and participants.

Where is this year’s Biennial taking place?

This edition is being held around nine venues:

• Plaça de Joan Coromines
• Canòdrom Digital and Democratic Innovation Centre
• La Model
• Plaça Reial
• Former headquarters of the Gustau Gili publishing house at Carrer de Rosselló, 87-89
• Can Felipa and Plaça de Josep Maria Huertas Claveria
• Pati de les Dones and Sala Raval at the CCCB
• Plaça del Diamant, Plaça de les Dones del 36 and Plaça de la Virreina, all three in Gràcia
• Headquarters of the COAC at Plaça Nova, 5

Some of the activities are also itinerant, such as peripatetic walks to be held in various public spaces in the city.

Various municipal and cultural facilities will also be organising activities as part of the programme, with a series of projects making up the +Biennial.

Who’s taking part in this edition?

The Biennial features 200 participants from national and international realms, including Svetlana Aleksiévtix, Yuval Noha Harari, Chantal Mouffe, Lucrecia Martel, Adam Przeworski, Carles Boix, Alice Munyua, Renata Avila, Nnenna Nwakanma, Katharina Pistor, Uriel Fogué, Carme Pinós, Carolyn Steel and Geogre Monbiot.

What are this year’s topics? What will the Biennial be discussing?

Debates and talks are based around three main themes: socio-political systems, technological change and the physical configuration of cities. These include sub-topics such as post-colonialism, digital rights, deglobalisation, climate change, cryptocurrency, democratic health and artificial intelligence. There will also be a specific branch to address the cultural reality of the Catalan-speaking lands, one of the highlights being the recital of the legacies of Joan Fuster, Blai Bonet and Gabriel Ferrater. This activity will take place simultaneously in Barcelona, Palma and Valencia.

Are all the activities free? Do tickets need to be booked?

All the activities in the Biennial are free. In addition, this third edition regains a face-to-face format, with no need to reserve tickets except in the case of the peripatetic walks, which have a limit on the number of participants per group as they are guided activities. Similarly, the characteristics of some of the spaces used may mean limited capacities, with access on a first-come-first-served basis.