On 11 January 2025, Music & Resilience flew to Barcelona, together with Marco Lolli and Luca Scavone, for an intense day of meeting and sharing. We had the opportunity to meet with students, teachers and activists, talking about our work and sharing experiences on how music can be a tool of support and resistance in the most difficult contexts.

Meeting with the students of the Master in Music Therapy at ESMUC

In the early afternoon, we were guests of the Master in Music Therapy at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya), where we met with first- and second-year students to talk about our approach to music and music therapy.

One of the most enriching aspects of this meeting was the great multiculturalism of the class: the students came from different countries and professional backgrounds, making the discussion particularly stimulating. We talked about our experiences in Lebanon and the recent missions in Ukraine, trying to convey the importance of music as a tool for connection and support in vulnerable situations.

Our special thanks go to Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, director of the master’s course, and to lecturers Catherine Clancy, Patricia Martí Augé and Alicia Lorenzo, for welcoming us and making this lively and participatory discussion possible.

Exist to resist: the event in Can Battlò

In the afternoon, we moved to Can Battlò, a self-managed social space in the heart of Barcelona, to participate in ‘Existir per/para Resistir’, an event organised by Mediterranea Barcelona. Here we had the opportunity to talk about our work and engage with activists, cultural workers and people committed to the defence of human rights. We shared our experiences in the field and reflected on the various and different forms of resistance.

Thanks to Alessia Centonze, Debora Camarda, Alessandra Borboleta and all of Med Barcelona for the invitation.