From August 15 to 21, the Vila de Gràcia celebrates its major festival with sign language tours, audio descriptions, and reserved spaces. The opening speech on Friday, August 14, kicks off events designed for all audiences.
The Gràcia Major Festival incorporates this year a fortnight of accessible proposals spread over the seven days of celebration, from August 15 to 21. The district has prepared a programme that includes guided tours with audio descriptions to concerts with vibrating backpacks, aiming to ensure that no one is left out.
The starting signal will be given by the speech of journalist and historian Vicenç Sanclemente on Friday, August 14, at 7 PM in the Vila square. The event will feature live subtitles, sign language interpretation, and a reserved space for people with reduced mobility.
Among this year's new features is a cognitively accessible visit for people with autism to the decorated streets, which will take place on Tuesday, August 18, at 9:30 AM. The activity, organised by Aprenem Autisme with the support of the Barcelona City Council and the Municipal Institute for People with Disabilities (IMPD), will start from the street of Llibertat with Torrent de l'Olla and requires prior reservation at accessibilitat@crabfundacio.org.
The programme also includes two tours with sign language interpretation: one to the shelter in the Diamond square on Saturday, August 15, at 6 PM (price 3 euros) and another to the bell tower in the Vila square on Tuesday, August 18, at 6 PM (price 4 euros). Both require prior reservation at enric.interprete@gmail.com.
On Monday, August 17, at 10 AM, an audio-described guided tour of the decorated streets for visually impaired people is scheduled, departing from the Vila square with limited spaces (reservation at subtil@subtil.cat or by phone at 649 005 207 / 620 626 704). At 11 AM, the square of the Women of 36 will host an inclusive and sensory storytelling session with Blai Senabre, featuring sign language interpretation.
The musical offer has also been designed for everyone: on Wednesday, August 19, at 6:30 PM, Todo sobre mi Gata will offer a concert in the square of the Women of 36 with a vibrating backpack service, and on Thursday, August 20, at 10:30 PM, it will be the turn of Big Mama Montse & Captain's Brotherhood, with the same service.
In addition to specific activities, the Major Festival maintains a quiet night on August 17 from 8 PM, with low sound intensity proposals replacing concerts. Quiet visits are also enabled every day from 9 to 11 AM, a time slot with fewer people and preferential access for individuals with special needs, pregnant women, and those with high sensory sensitivity.
With the heatwave in the background, the district recommends staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding the sun during peak hours, paying special attention to children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. Information will include a map showing the locations of fountains in the neighbourhood.
The complete programme can be consulted on the Gràcia district website, where it is also available in audible format through the Wheris vocal system.
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