This year's program, exploring the relationship between people and their environment, includes conferences, dialogues, and cultural activities addressing topics such as genetics, biodiversity, climate change, and artificial intelligence. The initiative is organized by the Escola Europea d'Humanitats, co-organized by the Fundació ”la Caixa” and La Maleta de Portbou, with the collaboration of the Palafrugell City Council.
Participants, including paleogeneticist Carles Lalueza-Fox, biologist Meg Lowman, writer Alessandro Baricco, philosopher Najat El Hachmi, and photographer Joan Fontcuberta, will explore the meaning of nature from scientific and humanistic perspectives. Activities will take place at the Cap Roig Gardens, the Catalan Cork Museum, the Palafrugell Municipal Theatre, and Plaça Nova.
Among the highlights are the dialogue 'Identity: What Can Genetics Tell Us About Who We Are?' (Friday 16th, 6:30 PM) with Carles Lalueza-Fox and Ricard Solé, and the session 'Cartographies of Nature: New Perspectives on the Planet' (Saturday 17th, 4:00 PM) with Meg Lowman and Paolo Pecere. Literature will be represented by conversations with Rafael Nadal and Care Santos (Thursday 15th, 6:30 PM at the Museu del Suro), and lectures by Alessandro Baricco (Friday 16th, 5:00 PM) and Najat El Hachmi (Saturday 17th, 6:00 PM).
Other activities include a reading of ancient Greek lyric texts by Aurora Luque (Saturday 17th, 10:30 AM), a reflection on artificial intelligence and photography with Joan Fontcuberta (Saturday 17th, 7:30 PM), and a journalistic dialogue on the uncertainty of the future with Xavier Mas de Xaxàs and Esther Vera (Sunday 18th, 11:00 AM at the Municipal Theatre).
The encounters will conclude on Sunday 18th with a meeting and book signing at Plaça Nova. Four events have already sold out: the performative walk 'Tot és fulla' with artist Lúa Coderch, the conference 'Planta sapiens: thinking from the garden' with Paco Calvo, the dialogue 'Espais de la memòria: altres temps a Calella' with Antonio Monegal and Xavier Pla, and the concert 'Pensaments' by the group Trio Tico.
