55 cultural amenities to take part in 'Apropa Cultura' week

Barcelona (CNA).- Theatres, museums and festivals from all over Catalonia will celebrate the first 'Apropa Cultura' week from the 26^th of O to the 1^st of November. The 55 cultural amenities that take part in this initiative will programme a wide range of activities to make people aware of how important it is to democratise the access to culture. Nearly 1,500 social organisations will hold meetings between social groups and artists during more than 200 cultural outings throughout the week. For their part, the amenities involved in 'Apropa Cultura' will offer discounts and extend their cultural programme during these days. 'Apropa Cultura' is a pioneer initiative in Europe which aims to open culture to those sectors of society which are at risk, such as people with intellectual and physical disabilities, women who have fallen victim to domestic violence and people with drug addiction problems, amongst others.

Last season, more than 21,000 people enjoyed more than 1,100 cultural activities through the 'Apropa Cultura' initiative, a pioneer project in Europe designed by Barcelona's 'L'Auditori' theatre. The sectors of society which benefit are composed by people with intellectual and physical disabilities, people at social risk, women who have fallen victim to domestic violence, people with drug addiction problems and children in care.

This year, the initiative has decided to make a step forward and organise the first 'Apropa Cultura' week to make their presence more visible and open the cultural offering to those sectors who find it harder to access it. Nearly 1,500 social entities from all over Catalonia, in collaboration with the 55 cultural amenities in 'Apropa Cultura', have designed a wide range of activities especially for the occasion. There will be nearly 200 organised trips for these target groups to attend plays, dance performances, museums and other cultural events. Throughout the week, there will also be meetings with the groups which benefit from the initiative and artists, guided tours, training sessions and even the opportunity for people with disabilities to go on stage.

Many of the cultural amenities will offer tickets with a discount throughout the season and designate more seats for these at risk groups.

Culture as a guarantee of social progress

The 'Apropa Cultura' week wants to achieve a greater participation of the citizens.  With this purpose, a campaign of social sensitivity will be launched through a video which tells the story of four people who benefited from the initiative and highlight the importance that having access to culture has for their lives and the state of their health.

"If we want to progress as a country and as a society, we have to make sure that everybody can follow our pace in terms of social cohesion and welfare for our people" stated Catalan Minister for Social Affairs, Neus Munté, at the presentation of 'Apropa Cultura'. Munté assured that the government's will is "to keep on reinforcing this initiative, as we have done so far" and expressed her wish for culture to "bring us closer, include as, train us and move us".