Origins and adaptation to Barcelona
In 1968, at a time of change, I made my trip to Barcelona with my family, composed by my parents and six siblings. At the age of only thirteen, I left behind my life in León, a mining region of coal, where the mines closed and my father, a carrier, did not see a future. My brother in Barcelona assured us that there were employment opportunities, so my father traveled first, learning to drive in this great city. We found a small home in Verdun, what we know today as Nou Barris.
A new environment: cultural shock and education
My arrival in Barcelona coincided with the beginning of the school year. From a rural environment, I was struck by the density of buildings and the rhythm of urban life. I was enrolled in a school of nuns, the divine shepherd, which no longer exists. My mother, a determined woman, did her best to accept me, despite the economic difficulties. There, surrounded by wealthy colleagues, I felt a stranger, immersed in an unknown world. The idiomatic barrier made me feel even more alone, crying every day and wishing to return to my previous life.
The community as a source of empowerment
My life began to change in the parish of San Sebastián, where a progressive priest, Manel Font, was the catalyst for a change. With him, my brother and I discovered a meeting place for people like us, migrants who were looking for membership. That space was essential for the organization of the first Nou Barris neighborhood associations, giving us a platform for activism.
Activism and community initiatives
The Roquetes Social Center was my first step in activism. With the air of freedom scattered in 1975, we created a space for politics and culture. There, we connected with factories such as Seat, learning from their labor rights and struggles. Our community demanded basic services such as health and education centers, revealing the inequalities we lived compared to our neighbors.
Protests and rights struggles
In 1973, we organized a popular Olympiad to demand sports facilities, an action that marked the beginning of a series of mobilizations that included protests for the coverage of the Ronda de Dalt. We claimed the right to live in decent conditions, insisting on the need for primary care centers and other essential services, fighting against institutional abandonment.
The creation of the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris
Our activity culminated in the occupation of the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris in 1977, an event that united neighbors in an effort to recover a space for the community. Street assemblies were our method of work, and the Ateneo became a meeting center for various social movements. We realized that we had a collective power to make real changes.
A Cultural Space and Social
Over time, the Ateneo evolved in a vibrant cultural space, hosting artists and events that reflected social struggles. We organized solidarity dinners, shows and activities that encouraged political awareness and solidarity among workers. It was a time of effervescence that caught the attention of the City Council, who wanted to control what had grown in a self -managed manner.
Reflections on the present and the future
Today, the realities of Nou Barris are complex. The passivity between the youth worries me, especially in the face of the housing crisis. The struggles we faced seem distant, but it is essential for new generations to raise their voices again. The history of the Ateneo is a reminder of the importance of community activism and participation. In 2027, we will celebrate fifty years, and continue to defend a model of citizen management, committed to our community and critical culture.
