The Nomadic Biennale on the Periphery
Our trip to Barcelona took place over a vibrant weekend from Friday to Sunday, during which we explored the 15th edition of Manifesta, the nomadic biennale, hosted this year in and around Barcelona. Over the course of three days, we visited 14 exhibition venues, gaining fresh perspectives on the city’s layered history, present realities, and future challenges. A private minibus with a dedicated driver allowed us to comfortably reach the various sites scattered across the region.
In between exhibitions, we indulged in the delights of Catalan cuisine, and on Saturday evening, we were welcomed as private guests for an intimate gathering with cava and tapas, enjoying sweeping views over the rooftops of Barcelona.
At the heart of this edition of Manifesta were three thematic clusters: Healing and Care, exploring cultural recovery and restoration; Balancing Conflicts, focusing on the protection of natural resources; and Imagining Futures, which addressed the complex urban development of the Besòs River region.
Altogether, 92 internationally acclaimed artists presented their work in a remarkable range of venues — including historic churches, a 9th-century monastery, decommissioned factories, a former grain warehouse, and a modernist villa that once served as a refuge for Spanish intellectuals during Franco’s dictatorship and is now a private residence.
The Nomadic Biennale on the Periphery