Barcelona transforms its streets into a grand musical stage with a new edition of “Barcelona is filled with pianos”

"Fundación Occident and the Maria Canals Competition are promoting a cultural day open to the public on 22 May, featuring 10 grand pianos spread throughout the city centre. "

Barcelona will once again open its streets to music on 22 May with a new edition of "Barcelona is filled with pianos", an initiative promoted by Fundación Occident in collaboration with the Maria Canals International Music Competition that will transform various emblematic spaces of the city into stages open to creation, improvisation and people meeting through music.

Throughout the day, ten grand pianos will be distributed along Consell de Cent, Passeig de Sant Joan and Arc de Triomf so that anyone can come and play, listen or simply be surprised by the music in the middle of the city.

Beyond an urban intervention, the initiative proposes an open and participatory cultural experience that invites people to rediscover public space through creativity and connection between people. Professional pianists, students, amateurs and citizens will spontaneously share the stage on a day when music will leave the concert halls to blend with the everyday life of Barcelona.

The initiative also connects with the legacy of Jesús Serra Santamans, founder of Occident and a great enthusiast of the piano and musical improvisation, understood as a form of expression capable of generating emotion, dialogue and community.

Originally launched by the Maria Canals International Music Competition, the project was born with the aim of bringing musical practice closer to new audiences and democratising access to culture by bringing grand pianos to public spaces. Since its arrival in Madrid in 2012 with the support of Fundación Occident, the initiative has continued to grow and consolidate in different cities thanks to the extraordinary public reception.

The 10 pianos will be located at:

• Consell de Cent – Enric Granados
• Consell de Cent – Rambla Catalunya
• Consell de Cent – Passeig de Gràcia
• Consell de Cent – Pau Claris
• Consell de Cent – Girona
• Consell de Cent – Passeig de Sant Joan
• Passeig de Sant Joan, 87
• Passeig de Sant Joan, 33
• Passeig de Sant Joan, 9
• Arc de Triomf

In addition, some of the day's highlights can be followed on social media through photos, videos and shared content with the hashtag #PianosBarcelona.

Your city is filled with pianos will continue its 2026 tour, which began in Seville on 30 April, and after Barcelona, it will arrive at Bilbao on 5 June, A Coruña on 12 June and Madrid on 23 October

 

About "Barcelona is filled with pianos"

"Barcelona is filled with pianos" is an initiative promoted by Fundación Occident in collaboration with the Maria Canals International Music Competition that will bring music to the people, transforming public spaces into an open, participative and accessible stage for all.

The initiative was conceived by the Maria Canals International Music Competition, which years ago promoted the idea of bringing grand pianos to public spaces with the aim of democratising access to music and encouraging public involvement. With the support of Fundación Occident, the project was first carried out in Madrid in 2012, and thanks to its extraordinary reception, it has continued to grow and arrive at new cities.

With “Barcelona is filled with pianos”, Fundación Occident reiterates its commitment to culture, music education and the creation of experiences that connect people and fill the urban space with life.

 

More info: https://www.fundacionoccident.org/eng/musica-y-poesia/proyecto-tu-ciudad-se-llena-de-pianos

More info https://mariacanals.org/off-concurs/la-teva-ciutat-somple-de-pianos/