Nilak: A momentum to balance access to culture
Access to culture is a fundamental right. This is stated in article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, we are still far from a society where everyone can exercise this right on equal terms. Universal and democratic access to culture is filed economic, social and geographical barriers. For example, One of four counties in Catalonia has no theater. Large cities concentrate most of the cultural offer, while many rural areas are left out of it, with little opportunity to access the live arts.. It is in this context of territorial imbalance that Nilak is born.
Nilak began in 2017 with the aim of responding to the cultural needs of the rural territories of Catalonia. Due to its innovative vision, the initiative received the Lluís Carulla Prize 2020 For best project. This is how Nilak finally materialized his potential: A traveling tent aimed at bringing contemporary performing arts to the Catalan counties that have a limited cultural offer. This mobile space has the technical conditions necessary to do all kinds of shows and exhibitions. In addition, the project works in tandem with the cultural institutions and creators of the towns it visits in order to provide a unique offer to its inhabitants. Nilak is a pioneering initiative that is committed to Decentralize access to culture and to turn rural peoples into the epicenter of the performing arts.
With the financing and monitoring of the Carulla Foundation, Nilak was officially opened in 2021. The starting shot was in Vilalba dels Arcs, in Terra Alta. For fifteen days, the mobile tent hosted circus shows, theatrical performances and workshops; 26 activities which, in total, were attended by more than 1,400 people. The success of the proposal was evident.
But Vilalba was just the start of the trip. Since then, Nilak has made 6 more itinerances In counties such as Alta Ribagorça, Conca de Barberà or Pallars Sobirà. Has collaborated with 161 artists they have given life to 168 shows Unique. The reception of the project has been greatly positive: Nilak’s first two stops received a score of 9.6 out of 10 by attendees. In total, More than 9,900 people They have attended these activities, 933 of which are students. The last data is especially significant, since in these counties the cultural offer aimed at students is particularly limited (in the case of Vilalba, only 15.6% of the students had attended other theater or circus shows with the school or with their relatives the previous year).
Nilak’s success has consolidated him as a benchmark in the democratization of culture and has given him broad recognition at the national level. Its innovative proposal has captured the attention of numerous institutions and professionals in the sector. So much so that In 2024 the project was distinguished with the National Culture Award of the Basinan award that endorses its contribution to the balance of the cultural fabric of the country.
Nilak is the alive image of a transformative cultural project. Throughout his career he has caused a tangible impact that only causes to grow. Now, the project begins a new way to balance the balance of the cultural offer. In collaboration with the Turbo and the Carulla Foundation, Nilak has opened a support scholarship to the creation. This grant will promote the development of a Circus show to have as an target audience l ‘Infant and Primary studentswith the capacity to be represented in schools around the country and with Catalan as a vehicular language of the project. Because balancing access to culture is a collective journey that just begins.
