Newcomers; cultural project

Abstract

Every day, people start a new life in a new city. Some by choice, others because they have no other option. A good example is Barcelona, where people from over 180 different countries live together. These newcomers face countless questions and are looking for new contacts and professional perspectives. However, what often gets lost in the process, is the great creative potential that these people bring from their home countries, be it traditional Islamic art, Brazilian capoeira dance, Japanese kintsugi technique or the mesmerizing rhythms of the African djembe drum. As a not-for-profit organization, NEWCOMERS offers an answer to these needs in which the whole city can participate. A colorful fair is born in the middle of Barcelona, providing a space for newcomers (see 3.1 “target audience” for definition) to exhibit and teach their creative skills. Each fair has a different theme, such as crafts, dance, painting, music, or unique traditions, and offers visitors a day of creativity, learning, and cultural exchange, accompanied by live music and food from all parts of the world. This way, newcomers make valuable contacts with locals and other creative expats, and get the opportunity to hold workshops and receive advice from selected businesses and mentors. NEWCOMERS is not just about creating a sustainable platform, but one that is actively shaped by those involved. The organization accompanies the creative newcomers even after the fair is over and offers them a network that also supports the production and distribution of their art. Once the idea has taken root in Barcelona, it can be expanded to other cities.