Posts in category: Publications

By Sophia Vargas

The Sant Jordi festival, deeply rooted in Catalan culture, has historically been celebrated as an event that commemorates love and culture through the exchange of books and roses. However, behind this seemingly innocent tradition lies a narrative deeply entrenched in patriarchy, perpetuating restrictive gender roles and systemic inequalities. In this sense, it becomes evident to us the urgent need to re-signify the celebration of Sant Jordi from a feminist perspective.

And that is precisely what we did at Metzineres: first, recognizing how the traditional story of Sant Jordi narrates the bravery of a man who saves a defenseless womxn from a fierce dragon, thereby reinforcing the notion that womxn need to be rescued by male heroes. This patriarchal narrative diminishes our capabilities and perpetuates unequal power schemes in which only men have the opportunity to be considered heroes.

Therefore, it is so important for us to give new context and new meaning to this celebration by challenging traditional narratives and giving prominence to womxn, recognizing their agency and capacity to write their own stories. In our case, these stories turned into a visual poem, created by many Metzineres in the workshop “Visual Poems” led by the artist Christina Schultz. “Poema Dragona” was drawn, painted, and written by women and gender-diverse people who are victims of systemic violence. It stands as a powerful tool of resistance and empowerment for those who have found in this artistic expression a way to raise their voices and challenge patriarchal structures. This poem not only transforms the Sant Jordi festival but also helps amplify the voices that have historically been excluded and silenced.

By recognizing and denouncing the macho culture underlying this celebration, we empower ourselves and our bodies, actively challenge a system that perpetuates inequalities and violence, and re-signify this festivity as a symbolic act that consolidates a call to action to transform our realities and build a more equitable and just world for everyone.

To honor this new re-signification of Sant Jordi, we wrote a poem in honor of the dragoness Vibria and the princess. In this new story, the dragoness is not a monster to be feared but a force of nature that challenges the status quo and paves the way for a more equal and just future.

We refuse to accept the constant sacrifice of women in traditional stories, and instead, we reaffirm power, autonomy, and self-esteem. Inspired by legendary dragon names like Vibria, Saphira, Viserion, and Tiamat, we rewrote the story to reflect the strength and courage of women and gender-diverse people.

This workshop also brought with it a reinvention of the symbolism of flowers. Instead of settling for the traditional roses, we chose to represent a variety of plants that go beyond superficial beauty and have healing and medicinal properties. Elder, thorn apple, poppy, tree flower, rhododendron, pheasant’s eye, lady’s mantle, and autumn crocus.

But what is an opiate and how does it relate to our work? Flowers and their meanings are intrinsically linked to anti-prohibitionism. We are womxn who use drugs, challenging the prohibition policies that criminalize and marginalize us.

These plants not only have medicinal properties but also represent powerful metaphors for sisterhood and resistance. For example, elder, which cures coughs, symbolizes the importance of caring for each other. The poppy, an opiate that relieves pain, reminds us of the power of unity in the fight against oppression.

Why settle for a single symbol when there are so many plants that represent diversity and strength?

This process of interpretation and creation was collaborative and meaningful. Each part of the poem, from the dragons to the flowers, was drawn and written by a different Metzinere, demonstrating that together we can collectively build new realities and narratives. The final result, a poster that celebrates the diversity and empowerment of womxn, is now available for purchase, allowing this new version of Sant Jordi to reach a wider audience.

Photographs: Andre Gaetano, Metzineres Photographer.

By Sophia Vargas

Saturday, May 25, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Parc de l’Estació del Nord.

The Lila Fest is coming, a space to raise awareness, reflect, and fight against sexist violence! In its first edition, the festival is packed with actions and activities with a festive, playful, and cultural approach.

We will celebrate equality, social justice, and sisterhood, aiming to weave networks and build a more equitable future for all. It will be a day where we actively participate to recognize each other, share, celebrate, and create networks among all of us who build sustainable, dignified, and livable ways of life. Metzineres will use this space to dismantle the stigma surrounding womxn who use drugs, right on stage with Luana and Tania!

Luana, a Portuguese and Romani migrant and Metzinera, will participate in the festival presenting a fusion of sevillanas and zapateados that transcends flamenco stereotypes. Luana triumphantly emerges as a survivor of systematic violence from an early age, transforming these experiences into care for others, being compassionate and dedicated to others’ well-being. She is a joyful womxn with a great sense of humor and an impressive ability to constantly reinvent herself.

In addition to her singing and dancing skills, Luana excels in crafts, making jewelry, crocheting, and other creative expressions. The dress she will wear at the Lila Fest is designed, cut, and sewn by herself. Her commitment to the community is evident in her daily work as a community technician at Metzineres, as well as in her love for animals, especially her beloved dogs.

We will also have Tania on stage, a Spanish artist who will flood the agora with her improvisation and rap skills, with lyrics carrying reivindicative messages that challenge stereotypes and speak about the various forms of violence. Tania also excels as an illustrator, photographer, and music producer, creating her own tracks! Fearlessly, Tania raps meaningful rhymes that give voice to thousands of womxn, establishing herself as a significant figure in the fight against injustice and inequality.

Both artists have been rehearsing for weeks to showcase their talents at this festival, named after the lavender and mallow plants, symbols of leisure, festivity, and generosity. The festival will feature a wide variety of activities: shows, theater, dance, live music, workshops, conversations, debates, exhibitions, and food stalls.

We will also have the participation of our director and founder, Aura Roig, in “Radio LilaFest,” the live recording space for programs and podcasts with the Barcelona Community Radio Network and Torre Jussana. A space to listen, talk, and converse with diverse radio hosts, professionals, and activists of the feminist movement.

The festival will have a purple point for advice, support, and intervention in any case of violence, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to being a safe and accessible space for everyone.

Save the date for Lila Fest in your calendar and join us! See you on Saturday, May 25, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Parc de l’Estació del Nord in Barcelona. Follow all the news and updates about the festival on our social media.

You will find all schedules, participants, and relevant information in the program.

Photographs: Andre Gaetano, Metzineres Photographer.

Activitats exclusives per a les participants de Metzineres:

• Costura guerrilla amb @franche_puntada.libre i @sindillar
• Reunions de la XADUD (Xarxa de Donxs que Usen Drogues), a l’@ateneudelraval
• Assemblea
• Reunions DIRD (Donxs Impulsors de Reducció de Danys)
• Monologuejant amb @viddapriego
• Dinar comunitari
• Excursions i sortides
• Kosmetikin: Taller de cosmètica natural
• Metzituning: Ens posem guapxs junts!
• Taller de pizzes

 
Aquestes són les activitats especials de Maig:

• Apunta’t-hi!
• Dimecres 08: Paella comunitària al Carrer Lluna 3 a les 12:00h
• Dissabte 25: LilaFest – Detonant l’escenari (i l’estigma) Lletres i passos reivindicatius – al Parc de l’estació del Nord a les 19:00h
• Divendres 31: Consell assessor

A més, sempre disponible:

• MetziSpa
• Taller de Naloxona express
• Acompanyament sanitari, social i educatiu
• Dormir durant el dia
• Roba, dutxa i rentadora
• Ordinadors i Internet
• ArtiSana: Espai d’artteràpia

Horari:

• Dilluns, dimecres, dijous, divendres* i dissabte de 14 a 21h.
• Dimarts de 18 a 21h.
• Diumenge tancat.

*Divendres a partir de les 18h: sortides culturals i excursions!

Ja tenim aquí la MetziAgenda de Abril!

Aquestes són exclusives per a les participants de Metzineres:

• Costura guerrilla amb @franche_puntada.libre i @sindillar
• Reunions de la XADUD (Xarxa de Donxs que Usen Drogues), a l’@ateneudelraval
• Assemblea
• Reunions DIRD (Donxs Impulsores de Reducció de Danys)
• Monologueando amb @viddapriego
• Taller de poemes visuals amb @schultz_and_more
• Dinar comunitari
• Excursions i sortides
• Kosmetikin: Taller de cosmètica natural
• Metzituning: Ens posem guapxs junxs!
• Taller de pizzes

Aquestes són les activitats especials de Març:

• Dimecres 10: Sant Jordi
• Dimarts 23:Consell Asessor

Agenda’t!

A més, sempre disponible:

• MetziSpa
• Taller de Naloxona express
• Acompanyament sanitari, social i educatiu
• Dormir de dia
• Rober, dutxa i rentadora
• Ordinadors i Internet
• ArtiSana: Espai d’artteràpia

Horari:

• Dilluns, dimecres, dijous, divendres* i dissabte de 14 a 21h.
• Dimarts de 18 a 21h.
• Diumenge tancat.

*Divendres a partir de les 18h: sortides culturals i excursions!

#metziagenda

Weekly activity calendar for Metzineres participants. This month we have:

• Guerrilla sewing with Franche PuntadaLibre and Sindillar
• Meetings of the XADUD (Network of Womxn who Use Drugs), at Ateneu del Raval
• Assembly
• Community meal
• DIRD Meetings (Womxn Promoters of Harm Reduction)
• Community cinema workshop with Ateneu del Raval
• Outings and excursions
• Kosmetikin: Natural cosmetics workshop
• Metzituning: Let’s get pretty together!
• Crispelis: Movies and popcorn!

February special activities:

• Sunday 4: MetziParadita at Fleadonia Market
• Thursday 8: Advisory Council
• Friday 16: Tribute to Tatiana #SouLlavor
• Monday 19: Performance at Plaça Sant Jaume (PUCVG)
• Wednesday 21: Exhibition ‘108 dies’ at MACBA

Also, always available:

• MetziSpa
• Express Naloxona Workshop
• Health, social and educational support
• Daydream
• Clothing, shower and washing machine
• Computers and Internet
• ArtiSana: Art-therapy space

Opening hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, *Friday and Saturday from 14 to 21h
• Tuesday 18 to 21h
• Sunday is closed

*Friday from 18h: outings and excursions!

Metzineres’ site address:
Carrer de la Lluna, 3
Raval (Barcelona)

Address of the Ágora Juan Andrés Benítez:
Carrer de l’Aurora, 13
Barri del Raval (Barcelona)

Weekly activity calendar for Metzineres participants. This month we have:

• Guerrilla sewing with Franche PuntadaLibre and Sindillar
• Meetings of the XADUD (Network of Womxn who Use Drugs), at Ateneu del Raval
• Assembly
• Community meal
• DIRD Meetings (Womxn Promoters of Harm Reduction)
• Community cinema workshop with Ateneu del Raval
• Outings and excursions
• Kosmetikin: Natural cosmetics workshop
• Metzituning: Let’s get pretty together!
• Crispelis: Movies and popcorn!

January special activities:

• Sunday 7: MetziParadita at Fleadonia Market

Also, always available:

• MetziSpa
• Express Naloxona Workshop
• Health, social and educational support
• Daydream
• Clothing, shower and washing machine
• Computers and Internet
• ArtiSana: Art-therapy space

Opening hours:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, *Friday and Saturday from 14 to 21h
• Tuesday 18 to 21h
• Sunday is closed

*Friday from 18h: outings and excursions!

Metzineres’ site address:
Carrer de la Lluna, 3
Raval (Barcelona)

Address of the Ágora Juan Andrés Benítez:
Carrer de l’Aurora, 13
Barri del Raval (Barcelona)