It smells of saltpeter and a bustling harbor. Far from the tapas routes and the summer hustle and bustle, the purest essence of Barceloneta endures at the Moll del Rellotge. There, where the sound of seagulls blends with the comings and goings of the boats, Xarxa Oberta kicks off—a project that seeks to restore the lost connection between the city and its maritime heritage.
From this October through December 19, the Barcelona Fishermen’s Guild is opening its doors to the public. The initiative, spearheaded by Oceanographies Collective in collaboration with the guild itself and the University of Girona, offers a free program of talks and hands-on workshops designed to explore the connection between the vulnerability of the marine ecosystem and the gradual disappearance of the local fishing community.
Weaving as a Tool of Resistance
The world of textiles is the central theme of the entire project. On the one hand, participants have the opportunity to learn directly from the fishermen the art of cleaning and mending nets—a craft that has all but disappeared from the city today. On the other hand, the initiative invites participants to sew, collectively alongside women from the neighborhood, the tablecloths that will be used at the closing celebration. All of this takes place under the guidance of the project’s artistic director, Marina Monsonís.
The goal of these gatherings goes beyond crafting: it’s about exploring other ways to organize, rebuild, and resist in the face of the challenges posed by a neighborhood increasingly strained by touristification and rising housing costs.
Schedule of afternoon snacks and workshops
The program is divided into two main formats: the “Berenars” (afternoon snacks and conversations at 6:00 p.m.) and the hands-on “Fer Xarxa” workshops (at 11:30 a.m.).
- Following an initial series of sessions in early October focused on networks of resistance, the series continues on October 23 and 24, addressing shifting waters and environmental justice.
- On November 20 and 21, the events will focus on “blue degrowth” and community governance.
- December 11 and 12 will be dedicated to discussing the role of women at sea.
- The grand finale will take place on December 19 at 12:00 p.m. with the “Hackeig d’una sardinada popular,” an event that will combine raising awareness about Mediterranean sardine populations with a neighborhood festival.
How to Sign Up
All activities take place at the Fishermen’s Guild’s facilities. Participation in any of the events is completely free, but due to limited capacity, prior registration is required using the form available on the project’s official website. The poster for this edition was designed by @ocabarrocas, and the initiative receives European funding through the Horizon Europe program.
