The countdown is on: Until 24 November 2024 you can still visit the Manifesta 15 biennial in Catalonia! This is not just another biennial – Manifesta 15 brings a unique cultural approach to each new location.
With its roots as the European Nomadic Biennial, this event is reinvented every two years in a new host city, bringing a fresh perspective to both the art and the communities that host it.
Photo: Eva Kern
And this year, Manifesta 15 taking over Barcelona and its surrounding metropolitan region in a way that will make the 2024 edition unlike any other.
What is Manifesta?
Manifesta offers a unique way to experience art beyond traditional boundaries.
Founded in 1996 to explore cultural change and socio-political shifts across Europe, Manifesta selects a new city every two years, transforming it into a platform for creativity, dialogue, and exploration. Each location brings its own flavor and themes to Manifesta, and in return, Manifesta transforms its host with a series of immersive installations, workshops, and collaborations that leave a lasting impact.
What makes Manifesta 15 so special?
Manifesta 15 is the largest edition of the biennial yet. Spanning across a 3000 square kilometer area with a population of 5.1 million people, it will be hosted by an unprecedented 12 cities, all within the metropolitan region of Barcelona. This approach not only brings Manifesta to unexpected spaces but also highlights the diverse, multicultural essence of the region. Each venue symbolizes a specific facet of the biennial’s overarching themes: Balancing Conflicts, Cure and Care, and Imagining Futures.
For the first time, Manifesta’s reach extends beyond a single city, inviting visitors to explore the cultural wealth of towns often left off the tourist map – like El Prat de Llobregat, Sabadell, Terrassa, and Sant Adrià de Besòs. These communities become integral parts of the biennial, showcasing local stories and landscapes that shape the Catalan cultural identity.
Explore Manifesta’s focus weeks
One of the most engaging aspects of Manifesta 15 is its focus week structure. Each week, attention shifts to a different town, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the unique history and artistic vision of that area. This concept not only highlights the diversity within the metropolitan area but also creates opportunities for meaningful interactions with local communities. Through installations, workshops, and exhibitions, attendees can get a closer look at each city’s unique cultural landscape.
Each focus week’s programming, accessible on the official website, guides visitors to installations, workshops, and other special events, inviting them to connect with local residents and engage with the city’s spirit beyond a typical sightseeing experience.
Our highlights from the programme:
With such an expansive program, here are a few standout venues and installations to look forward to. The New Day To Explore team recommends you the following destinations:
The Three Chimneys (Sant Adrià de Besòs)
Photos: Eva Kern
In our opinion, The Three Chimneys is probably the most interesting venue of Manifesta 15. This former power plant, opened to the public for the first time, is an iconic symbol of resilience and urban renewal, perfectly aligned with the biennial's themes. Inside, installations across the old turbine hall reflect on adaptation, environmental impact, and the delicate balance between progress and preservation, adding a raw, gritty depth to each piece.
We particularly loved how the outdoor area connects art with community. Visitors can watch painters, read the Manifesta booklet, or enjoy a coffee by the sea at the open-air café (open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 9pm). For us, this setting isn’t just an exhibit space – it’s a lively symbol of how the old can inspire new connections. If you’re attending Manifesta 15, The Three Chimneys is a must-see.
Monastery of Sant Cugat (Sant Cugat del Vallès)
Photos: Eva Kern
The Monastery of Sant Cugat is a must-visit destination on your Manifesta itinerary. Located in the charming town of Sant Cugat, just north of Barcelona, the site offers a delightful atmosphere and a variety of inspiring exhibitions and installations. Founded in the 9th century, the monastery features a blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architectural elements. Across two floors and a lovely garden, you can explore artworks that resonate with the Cure and Care theme of Manifesta.
Gustavo Gili (Barcelona)
Photos: Eva Kern
Gustavo Gili in Barcelona-Sants, once a publishing house, is a notable example of Catalan architecture from the 1950s. For Manifesta 15, the Municipality of Barcelona temporarily allocated the building to the biennale to serve as its headquarters. Here, you can find three archival presentations: The first showcases artistic research on the archives of five pedagogical situations from 20th-century Catalonia. The second takes the form of an "archive-library," focusing on Barcelona's cultural evolution. The third presentation centers on Black life in Barcelona, exploring its history and customs.
Can Trinxet (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat)
Photos: Eva Kern
Located in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, the former textile factory Can Trinxet showcases one exhibition by the Italien-Senegalese artist Binta Diaw. „Dïà s p o r a“ is about hair braiding amongst African women as a practice of resistance. For this exhibition, the artist collaborated with members of the African diaspora in L’Hospitalet to weave together long braids of synthetic hair.
Can Trinxet was first occupied in 1890 and later became the largest industrial complex in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, a city with magnificent industrial heritage. This venue is one of the many architectural examples of the growing industrialisation that took place in Catalonia throughout the 19th century.
Casa Gomis (El Prat de Llobregat)
Photo: Manifesta 15 / Helena Roig
Casa Gomis is another highlight of Manifesta 15. Here, architecture meets art to explore themes of personal identity and collective memory. Designed by Antoni Bonet i Castellana, Casa Gomis is a Modernist villa set in the serene Llobregat Delta Reserve, creating a peaceful yet symbolically charged environment. This setting is ideal for Elmo Vermijs’s installation, "Parliament of Trees," which thoughtfully merges the structure with nature, prompting reflection on urban growth and its environmental impact. Vermijs’s work uses trees as both symbol and medium, creating a dialogue between architecture and nature that critiques modern encroachments on natural spaces.
Located near Barcelona’s airport, Casa Gomis is approximately a 30-minute taxi ride from the city and can be accessed by booking a time slot due to its popularity and limited capacity.
The See of Ègara (Terrassa)
Photos: Eva Kern
Located one hour by train from Barcelona, this ancient site in Terrassa transports you back to the golden age of the 5th and 6th centuries. This remarkable historical complex features the churches of Sant Pere, Sant Miquel, and Santa Maria, each offering a glimpse into the past.
At this site, you can experience large-scale installations by international artists, including Marcos Kueh from Malaysia, Tanja Smeets from the Netherlands, and Antoni Miralda from Catalonia. The juxtaposition of this unique ancient site with contemporary art creates a captivating experience that we truly appreciated. We really liked the The juxtaposition of this unique ancient site with contemporary art.
How to plan your trip to Manifesta:
Tickets are a steal at just 15 euros, allowing you unlimited access to all Manifesta 15 venues across the metropolitan region. Since some venues, such as Casa Gomis, require specific time slots, it’s wise to plan ahead. Dedicate a few days to fully experience the biennial, especially if you want to explore different towns during their designated focus weeks. With one ticket covering all the locations, Manifesta 15 offers a unique, budget-friendly opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural and artistic spirit of Catalonia.
For complete details on ticketing, program highlights, and venue requirements, head to the official website of Manifesta 15.
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