Social Transformation Through Creative Experiences: An Interview with Ana Bustamante and Nadia Oñatibia from La Xixa

La Xixa is a non-profit organisation based in Barcelona committed to fostering social transformation by addressing issues such as interculturality, feminism, activism or sustainability, through creative and participatory techniques. 

In this interview, project managers Ana Bustamante and Nadia Oñatibia, discuss their impactful journey with religious minorities and emphasise the urgency of fostering intercultural dialogue in contemporary society

1. What is your name and the organisation you represent?

We are Ana Bustamante and Nadia Oñatibia, project managers of La Xixa.

2. Where is your organisation based and what does it do?

Based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, we create and develop creative social innovation projects for social transformation. 

With an intersectional approach, we defend essential values such as interculturality, feminisms, diversity, and critical awareness of power relations.

Inspired by techniques such as Forum Theater, Process-Oriented Psychology, and other participatory and creative tools, we invite people to individual and collective questioning in an experiential way.

Our projects cover diverse fields such as culture, education, health, activism, and sustainability. We do this through trainings, public performances, and research.

In addition, we systematise experiences and create free and open practical materials and resources.

Since 2010, we have been working with diverse communities and groups at local, European and international levels to promote a transformative impact on people's lives.

3. What will be your main role in the MIRETAGE project?

La Xixa will play a key role in the MIRETAGE project by applying participatory theatre methodologies to foster engagement, reflection, and dialogue around minority religious heritage. Our expertise in using Theatre of the Oppressed and other interactive approaches will help create inclusive learning experiences that empower participants to share their personal and collective narratives. We will also contribute to the development of educational resources and facilitate workshops that promote critical thinking and intercultural awareness.

4. Are you involved (or have you been involved) in any projects/initiatives related to minority religious heritage?

Yes, we have been involved in projects related to minority religious heritage. One notable initiative is the REBELAH project (Religion, Beliefs, and Laicity in Cultural Heritage to Foster Social Inclusion in Adult Trainings). This project aims to promote inclusion, diversity, and non-discrimination, with a particular focus on religious minorities. It emphasises the social and educational value of European cultural heritage and its potential to foster interreligious coexistence. Additionally, REBELAH seeks to enhance the competencies of adult educators to promote inclusion through their teaching practices. 

Furthermore, we participated in the MAGIC project, presenting a play titled “Les coses clares i la xocolata espessa” to raise awareness about gendered Islamophobia in a contemporary and European society. The play premiered in Barcelona on February 11, 2023, and aimed to highlight spaces where gendered Islamophobia occurs in Spanish society, offering possible alternatives for action and creating a space for critical thinking around the issue.

5. Why is a project like MIRETAGE important in the current European context? What will it contribute to society? 

Minority religious heritage is crucial today because it fosters intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and mutual understanding. In increasingly diverse European societies, recognising and valuing religious minorities’ heritage helps combat discrimination and promotes inclusive narratives. These heritages offer unique insights into history, identity, and cultural expressions, contributing to a more prosperous and pluralistic society, and preventing polarization and hate speech.

In today’s European context, where migration and cultural diversity are central issues, MIRETAGE is a timely initiative that promotes social inclusion and intercultural dialogue. The project provides tools to challenge stereotypes, foster mutual respect, and raise awareness of minority religious heritage as an essential part of Europe’s cultural landscape. By engaging local communities and educational institutions, MIRETAGE will contribute to building a more cohesive, inclusive, and welcoming society.

6. What is the most thrilling part of the project for you?

For us, the most exciting aspect of the MIRETAGE project is the opportunity to use artistic and participatory methodologies to explore personal and collective identities. We are particularly thrilled about working with diverse communities to co-create meaningful experiences that give visibility to minority religious heritage. The process of storytelling, creative expression, and dialogue is deeply transformative, and we look forward to seeing how participants connect with their own histories and with others in new and enriching ways.

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