On Saturday, 21st September, as part of La Setmana del Llibre en Català (Catalan Book Week), the Barcelona Provincial Council presented the book 'Farming Barcelona. Portraits of a Changing Agriculture'. The event took place on Passeig de Lluís Companys in Barcelona, and aimed to honor Barcelona's farming community and provide a platform for individuals dedicated to promoting a healthier, safer, and sustainable agricultural industry. The presentation brought together professionals from the agricultural sector and offered an overview of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in the province.

Sònia Callau, head of the Provincial Council's Territorial Agrarian Directorate, moderated a conversation with Patxi Uriz, the book's photographer, and two interviewed farmers: Dídac Valera from l'Hort d'en Dídac and Adela Martínez from Huertos in the Sky. Together, they explored the complexities and satisfactions of farm work.

Protagonist voices

During the presentation, participants shared their thoughts on agriculture and its vital importance to society and the environment. Dídac Valera, a farmer from Mataró, emphasized the vocational nature of his profession: "Our work is vocational, and our vocation is to serve society." His most impactful statement, "As long as there are mouths to feed, there will be those who sow seeds", resonated with the people in attendance, evidencing the indestructible commitment of the peasantry to food security.

Adela Martínez called for public participation in growing food: "I encourage everyone to grow, even if it's on their balcony." The telecommunications engineer and urban horticulturist highlighted the growing interest of the new generations to reconnect with the land and the cultivation of food, a trend that promises a hopeful future for the sector.

Photographer and documentary filmmaker Patxi Uriz offered a comparative perspective between urban and rural life: "People who work in the city do a lot of things and you see them stressed. On the other hand, people who work in the countryside do a lot of things and you see them happy. That makes me think." This farmer's son emphasized the nutritional quality of the food grown by the growers he portrayed in the book, stating that "they don't just take away your hunger, they nourish you."

For her part, Sònia Callau highlighted the importance of institutional initiatives: "The  land banks promoted by the Barcelona Provincial Council are fundamental to enable access to land in the new generation of farmers who want to dedicate themselves to growing local food". Her statement underlined the crucial role of institutions in supporting and promoting local and sustainable agriculture.

An emotional journey through rural Barcelona

'Farming Barcelona. Portraits of a Changing Agriculture' includes an introduction, 27 interviews, and a collection of photographs that offer an intimate look at farming in our region. The collected testimonies highlight the values of freedom, creativity, and community that drive local farmers, and show how they combine tradition with modernity.

The book features graphic design by Enric Jardí and illustrations by Tereza Janáková. The introduction is by writer Gabi Martínez, with photographs by Patxi Uriz and interviews by Mar Carrera. The book is available for purchase at the Barcelona Provincial Council Bookshop.

Catalan Book Week 2024

This year's edition of Catalan Book Week will take place from until 29th September in Barcelona. This event, considered the premier meeting point for Catalan reading enthusiasts, offers a comprehensive showcase of the richness and diversity of publishing in this language.

For more information about the book 'Farming Barcelona', please contact Sònia Callau, head of the Territorial Agrarian Directorate of Barcelona Provincial Council.