Yesterday, 13 November, UIC Barcelona held the first edition of Xivarri, a new event organised by the Institute for Culture and Thought (CIP) with a view to creating a lively and engaging forum for students from both the University and other institutions. Conceived as a meeting point for sparking new ideas, questioning everything and fostering intellectual “noise”, the event filled the Aula Jardí on the Barcelona Campus.

The session opened with remarks from lecturer Eduardo Gratacós, who emphasised the value of establishing forums such as this: “We need good people, people who think and who have the chance to attend events like this. Xivarri is like a murmur: it’s much more than just noise.”

The evening’s main highlight was the talk by philosopher Ricardo Piñero, professor of Aesthetics and Art Theory at the University of Navarra, who encouraged students to approach reality with courage, authenticity and depth. “The art of being attentive to others entails a willingness to listen, to remain silent and to afford others the opportunity to speak. Humans always exist with and for others,” he asserted. Piñero urged the young people in attendance to rise above indifference and posturing and adopt a viewpoint that is “an act of will by someone who cares about those around them”.

Afterwards, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and enjoy a dinner replete with live music and activities designed to spark open conversation among students from different disciplines.

The director of the CIP, Andrea Rodríguez, underscored the deep meaning underlying the initiative: “Xivarri was created because young people need spaces in which they can think without fear, express their concerns and hear other perspectives. Our goal is to offer them experiences that help them grow, ask questions and discover the transformative power of dialogue.”

The role of the CIP in students’ holistic education
The Institute for Culture and Thought is the centre at UIC Barcelona devoted to promoting cross-cutting humanistic education, research and critical reflection. From a humanist vision inspired in Christian values, the CIP works to connect disciplines and offer students a comprehensive understanding of reality, grounded in values such as truth, freedom and service.

Through courses, seminars and activities such as Xivarri, the CIP fosters open dialogue that helps young people integrate knowledge, understand the challenges of today’s society and contribute to building a more compassionate and responsible world.