The conference, organized by the Ment Lúdica Association with co-organization from the Lleida City Council and collaboration from the University of Lleida (UdL), focuses this year on the relationship between games and health. The aim is to introduce this form of leisure to the public and highlight gaming as a healthy practice, an educational tool, and a space for social interaction, participation, and culture.
The initiative, also supported by the Diputació de Lleida and the 'la Caixa' Foundation, seeks to emphasize the potential of board and role-playing games beyond mere entertainment, as tools to foster socialization, cognitive stimulation, skill development, and bond creation among people of different ages. This perspective aligns with UdL's outreach and research work on the educational and cognitive applications of games, particularly through the NeuroPGA research group.
The Palau de Vidre will be the main venue for free, open-access activities from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. The space will be organized by age groups, including areas for 0-3 year olds (managed by AGIPA), 3-8 year olds (in collaboration with the Municipal Network of Ludoteques of Lleida), a family zone (Ment Lúdica), and adventure and advanced gaming zones (Seu i Calla, el Dau màgic). Game prototypes and new releases from specialized publishers will also be showcased, alongside a food truck area.
The Municipal Network of Ludoteques of Lleida will manage a play area for children aged 3 to 8, promoting coexistence, values like cooperation and respect, and stimulating imagination and creativity. Additionally, the Network will present the 'Som-hi!' project, featuring adapted board games for the social inclusion of people with disabilities and neurodiversity, during a round table at the Cappont Campus.
The conference will also include training activities for professionals and interested individuals looking to delve deeper into the possibilities of board games in the health sector, reflecting the association's commitment to promoting game usage based on knowledge and evidence, in line with university collaboration.
This fifth edition follows previous ones, which have addressed topics such as diversity, equality, and games as tools for personal growth. With this event, Lleida reaffirms the potential of board and role-playing games as a space for intergenerational connection and a promoter of well-being.
