Paula Mota and Zoe López, new artistic co-directors of Oviedo 2031, share the stage for the first time at the opening of the “Sin Límites” festival

The Youth Council of Oviedo hosted the Sin Límites Festival, an event celebrating diversity, inclusion and youth participation in culture, which also served as the setting for the first joint appearance of the new artistic co-directors of Oviedo’s bid for European Capital of Culture 2031, Paula Mota and Zoe López.

Both presented this new phase of the project, which introduces a shared artistic direction responsible for defining and leading the cultural programme at this stage of the bid. During their intervention, they outlined the main lines of work currently underway, with a particular focus on accessibility, youth participation and a more open and inclusive cultural model.

“We are working on a project that you are part of, focused on making culture accessible and encouraging young people to actively participate in it,” said Zoe López, who also highlighted the importance of students stepping outside the classroom to experience culture first-hand through initiatives like this festival, where diversity is at the core.

In this context, the public was also invited to learn more about the project at Kuivi Almacenes, where a talk and concert will take place at 20:00 to present the current stage of the bid and answer questions. During the event, it was reiterated that both Oviedo and Asturias have everything needed to aspire to the European title, highlighting the importance of strengthening cultural self-esteem and fostering citizen participation.

For her part, Paula Mota noted that the process is at a decisive stage within a European competition whose results will be announced at the end of the year, emphasising that this is a key period of intensive work, during which public input will continue to be gathered and spaces for dialogue created.

Following this introduction, the Sin Límites Festival got underway with a programme running throughout the day, turning the city into a meeting point for diverse artistic proposals. The morning featured a performance by the theatre group La Orquesta, followed by Colectivo Diverso and music sessions by Trezze and Sergio DJ. In the afternoon, the film Sorda will be screened, completing a day that celebrates culture without barriers and for everyone.