arts & culture

Ciutats en Revolta brings a more political, international edge to Barcelona’s April cultural calendar. The 2026 ICORN General Assembly marks 20 years of the International Cities of Refuge Network. It gathers writers, artists, journalists, city representatives and human-rights defenders for three days of conversations, performances and public events centred on free expression and democratic resistance. Barcelona is a fitting host as it was one of ICORN’s founding cities, and this year’s assembly is being held in collaboration with PEN Català.

Highlights include a public keynote conversation between Ece Temelkuran and Laura Huerga on exile, refuge and belonging; sessions on Sudan and Bangladesh; performances by Mohammed El-Susi and Tore Brun (Abazar Hamid); and a special focus on Myanmar, with a screening of Being Ohnmar and a traditional Burmese dance performance by Kay Zin. There’s also an anniversary event celebrating two decades of ICORN, which features literary readings, music, art performances and contributions from a range of key figures.