The city of Igualada is preparing to host a new edition of Octubre Solidari, a joint initiative by the Igualada City Council and the entities of Igualada Solidària. This event, which will run through September, October, and November, offers a diverse program of activities to foster understanding of other realities, reflection on inequalities and human rights, and citizen participation in cooperation initiatives.
Under the slogan "looking beyond," the program includes workshops, concerts, cinema, documentaries, talks, theater, outings, and training activities. The Councilor for Cooperation, Josep Maria Carpi Cuatrecases, highlighted the importance of solidarity and international cooperation as tools for building a more just world.
One of the central events will be the 14th Exhibition of Solidarity Entities, taking place on October 17th in the Plaça de Cal Font. This day-long event, from morning to evening, will bring together numerous entities to showcase their projects, and will feature a photographic exhibition by the Fundació Nzuri Daima, workshops, musical performances, a chocolate event by Mans Unides, solidarity Zumba with the Fundació Vicente Ferrer, and games organized by Joguines Sense Fronteres.
Activities began in late September with an excursion to Montserrat to promote understanding among people of different nationalities. Other proposals include a solidarity paella on October 3rd organized by Mans Unides, a course on genocide and dehumanization taught by Atlas Fundació on October 10th and 17th, and a Peruvian gastronomic workshop on October 15th.
The program also includes cultural offerings such as the storytelling session "Eps, no és el que sembla!" on October 20th at the Biblioteca Central d’Igualada, and documentary screenings like "Los ojos del futuro. La inmigración africana" on October 20th at Ateneu Cinema, "El vol de la cigonya" on October 22nd, and "Espai minvant" on October 28th at LaMaCa.
In the realm of theater and solidarity sports, "Cants de llibertat" will be performed on October 23rd at the Teatre de l’Aurora, with proceeds going to community health projects in Malawi. On October 25th, the Solidarity Walk organized by ACAPS Anoia will take place.
The culture of peace and human rights will be central to the seminar "La Ruta de la Pau" (from November 13th to 15th) at the Centre Cívic Nord, aimed at young people. Additionally, on November 13th, the Ateneu Igualadí will host "Música contra el silenci," featuring the testimony of Dr. Ahmad Sarmast and Afghan musicians. There will also be talks on "African tontines" (November 14th) and "Conflicts and peace with a gender perspective" (November 24th).
As a tool for awareness, two exhibitions have been organized: "Batecs de solidaritat" (until October 3rd) at the Centre Cívic Nord, and "El cost invisible del capitalisme desbocat" (from October 5th to 25th) at the Espai Cívic Centre.
The program is completed with other activities pending confirmation, such as the talk "Veus de resistència: la lluita de les dones a l’Iran" and the outing "Espiritualitat i pau: visita al temple budista Kadampa". This extensive program offers an opportunity to learn about other contexts and create spaces for dialogue and reflection.
