CALL FOR PARTICIPATION: Festes de Gràcia

From the organization of ESEB Barcelona 2025 congress, we are looking for volunteers from Barcelona to collaborate in the creation and production of  material with evolution and diversity as the main theme to decorate one of the streets at the Gràcia Festival in Barcelona (Carrer Perill), from August 15 to 21, 2025. The objective is to use this street as a tool for scientific outreach  on biodiversity and evolution, seeking to strengthen the relationship between citizens, the neighborhood, and science with a special interest in evolution.

About the festival

Les Festes de Gràcia, also known as the Gràcia Festival, is one of Barcelona’s most vibrant and celebrated local festivities. Held annually in mid-August, typically from August 15th to 21st, this event transforms the Gràcia neighborhood into a colorful and lively spectacle. This event is renowned for its community spirit and artistic flair.

The highlight of the festivities is the street decorations. Each street in the Gràcia district competes to create the most elaborate and imaginative decorations, often themed around various concepts ranging from fairy tales to historical events. The residents of Gràcia spend months preparing for this event, and their creativity and dedication result in stunning displays that attract visitors from all over the world.

In addition to the remarkable street decorations, Les Festes de Gràcia features various activities and entertainment. These include live music and Performances, traditional Catalan activities, gastronomy, workshops, and family activities.

BCN ESEB 25: Evolution and Diversity at “Les Festes de Gràcia”

In this context, the organization of ESEB and SESBE, in collaboration with the scientific communication association “La Ciència Al Teu Món” (LCATM), is organizing satellite activities at the Festes de Gràcia, which are held in August and coincide in dates with the ESEB 2025 conference. LCATM is collaborating with the 44 Perill Association, responsible for decorating Perill street in the Gràcia district. The plan is to integrate Evolution and Diversity science outreach activities into the festival’s afternoon family-friendly hours, led by local and international evolutionary biologists attending ESEB 2025 in a co-creation dynamic with the neighbors.. Additionally, evolutionary and diversity-related themes will be incorporated into the street’s decorations to highlight the importance of the ESEB 2025 congress in Barcelona.

Proposed Activities:

• Micro-talks, informal discussions, and science shows blending evolution, arts, and music
• Recycling initiative: A proposal to repurpose non-toxic plastic laboratory materials from research centers as raw materials for street decorations.
• Active learning and co-creation: Encouraging residents to create allegorical decorations and ornaments to communicate evolutionary concepts engagingly and interactively.
• Special visits and activities at Perill Street for ESEB attendees. 

Through these activities, ESEB 2025 will extend beyond academic discussions, fostering a meaningful and lasting impact on Barcelona’s scientific literacy while enhancing the festival’s community-driven spirit.

Volunteering

The volunteering role will require fulfilling responsibilities such as:

• Participating in brainstorming on the topic, content, and elements related to evolution and diversity that will inspire the street decorations,
• setting up some outreach activities,
• collaborating in producing and setting up the decorations with the neighborhood,
• and providing information to visitors during the activity days, providing explanations and information during one of the days of the event.

How to join

We would like to host an initial informational meeting via ZOOM
(https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85962153693?pwd=5oydNAaLfN5aLsC63ivfd6AAu64Me1.1) on Tuesday, April 22nd, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM to provide more details to anyone interested.

We encourage you not to miss this great opportunity to intertwine the culture and diversity of one of Barcelona’s most important neighborhoods with the innovative and contemporary theme of evolutionary biology.