Oviedo 2031 concludes its participation roundtables with nearly one hundred participants and more than 50 proposals

Oviedo 2031 concluded its participation roundtables this week with four sessions held between 6 and 9 July. The meetings addressed key areas such as education, accessibility, care, diversity, non-discrimination, territory and community. Nearly one hundred people took part in this listening process, including professionals, social agents, expert organisations, associations, institutions, collectives and key informants linked to each of the areas of work.

During the sessions, hundreds of ideas were gathered for consideration in the preparation of the second bid book, together with more than 50 proposals for projects and actions. All these contributions will help to continue building an inclusive and participatory bid that reflects the social and cultural diversity of Oviedo and Asturias.

The process made it possible to incorporate voices, experiences and real needs related to participation in cultural life. Participants shared knowledge, identified barriers, explored opportunities and proposed new ways of bringing culture closer to different audiences, territories and communities. The bid would like to highlight the generosity and commitment of everyone who took part in the roundtables, as well as the collective enthusiasm that Oviedo 2031 is generating as an opportunity to transform the city through culture.

The sessions also reinforced the role of Amabilidá, a central concept of the bid, as a way of working based on listening, care, coexistence and genuine participation. This approach aims to ensure that the bid creates spaces where people can engage in dialogue, recognise one another and build together.

The roundtables also included a significant element of artistic mediation, which helped to stimulate conversations, facilitate participation and create new ways of reflecting back and sharing the work carried out.

Asturias-based illustrators Isabel Muñoz, Kamendi, Kiyary Domínguez and Verónica Grech created graphic records of the four sessions. Their illustrations capture the main ideas, reflections and proposals that emerged during the meetings and provide a visual record of the process.

The Asturian cooperative Territorio Emocional also took part. Specialised in mediation, socio-emotional skills and group facilitation, it used the body and the performing arts to help create a welcoming and participatory working atmosphere and to present some of the ideas shared during the sessions in a creative way.

The conclusions of this process will be incorporated into the bid’s ongoing work and will help to continue shaping the Oviedo 2031 project together with the social and cultural fabric of Oviedo and Asturias.