Programme Runs Until Sunday Under 'Unleashing the Present' Theme
The fourth edition of the Biennial of Thought is taking place across Barcelona from 13 to 18 October 2026, transforming streets and squares into open forums for reflection. Under the slogan 'Unleashing the present', the event brings together more than 100 thinkers, writers, artists, activists, and creators to debate urgent global issues with the city as both stage and subject. Discussions focus on contemporary democracies, urban transformation, housing access, inequality, war, migration, and identity. According to Barcelona City Council, the programme aims to make the city "a grand space for conversation, reflection and the exchange of ideas" about the challenges of today.
Key Participants and Venues
Featured speakers include writer Alessandro Baricco, former footballer and anti-racism campaigner Lilian Thuram, playwright Angélica Liddell, novelist Mariana Enríquez, political theorist Wendy Brown, and filmmaker José Luis Guerín. The curators of this year’s edition are philosopher Marina Garcés, Albert Lladó (School of Thought), Elisabet Goula (CCCB), Rafael Vilasanjuan (ISGlobal), and Mireia Calafell and Berta Subirats (La Sullivan). Events are hosted at diverse locations including the CCCB, Plaça Joan Coromines, La Model, Plaça Major de Nou Barris, Hivernacle in Parc de la Ciutadella, community centres La Sedeta and Casa Orlandai, and Plaça Glòries.
Free Public Access and Full Programme
All activities are free and held in public or accessible spaces, reinforcing the aim of democratic dialogue. The full schedule and details are available on the official Biennial of Thought website.
The goal is to make the city a grand space for conversation, reflection and the exchange of ideas about the most significant issues today.
The Biennial of Thought is promoted by the Barcelona Institute of Culture and has run for five editions. This year’s theme challenges audiences to question whether current social dynamics are inevitable, encouraging active civic engagement through philosophy, art, and debate.
Primary sources: whatsapp.com, Barcelona City Council, barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat, Ayuntamiento de Barcelona. Reported by biennaldepensament.barcelona, barcelonamola.com, catalannews.com, lavanguardia.com, thenewbarcelonapost.cat, biennalciutatoberta.barcelona.
