Thousands of people enjoyed on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at the Parc Nou del Prat de Llobregat of Festa Esplai, the great event of Fundesplai, which kicks off the campaign of colonies, casals, camps and family holidays of the entity that plans to offer more than 82,000 places, 1,200 rounds and 8,000 scholarships. This year marked the 35th edition in which children, young people and families have been able to enjoy more than 50 recreational and educational activities under the slogan “Let’s make a better world possible”, related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the Festa Esplai, Cristina Rodríguez, CEO of Fundesplai highlighted: “We are in a time of great challenges such as the climate emergency or emerging social needs and from Fundesplai we are committed to an educational and social task based on the values of coexistence and sustainability, of which the Festa Esplai is a good example”. For his part, Carles Xifra, content director of Fundesplai, highlighted the summer campaign that is just beginning: “This 2023 we are offering a summer camp campaign full of activities with more than 82,000 places, and it will be an opportunity to continue working educationally, especially in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, and so that all children and young people can access leisure with equal opportunities”.
The institutional act of the Festival was attended by a group of children and young people from the esplais of Pubilla Cases-Can Vidalet (Esplgues and L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) and Bellvitge (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) who detailed the ingredients to make a better world possible. Afterwards, Josep Gassó, president of Fundesplai; Carles Campuzano, Minister of Social Rights of the Generalitat; Javier Silva, deputy delegate for Youth of the Diputació de Barcelona, and Laia Ortiz, director of the Area of Social and Community Action of the City Council of El Prat. Gassó highlighted the common commitment of children, young people, families and monitors to the values of coexistence and sustainability. Campuzano said: “More than ever we need recreation to make a country inclusive and equitable and committed to the environment and esplais help us to guarantee equality for all children.” Ortiz, for his part, highlighted the work of Fundesplai and the collaboration with the rest of the city to support people in vulnerable situations. Silva also spoke along these lines: “It is worth highlighting the work that Fundesplai does throughout the year with children and young people and families with special needs”.
50 activities about nature, sustainable food, etc.
In Festa Esplai, the entity organized about 50 activities, many of them related to “Menjar Canvia el Món”, the educational proposal for sustainable and healthy eating, but also some that were a taste of the activities that will be carried out in colonies, centers and camps.
The Festa Esplai also presented “The recipe book to change the world”, a digital book of 50 healthy and sustainable recipes for each season of the year, with seasonal foods. It was created from meals proposed by children and young people who participate in different Fundesplai programs and meals that are part of the Fundesplai Midday Educational Time menus. In addition, the recipe book includes games and recommendations to eat better and take care of the planet.
This resource is part of the educational program “Menjar Canvia el Món”, for the right to healthy and sustainable food, which Fundesplai has developed during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. More than 400 educational centers and esplais from all over Catalonia have participated in the set of activities carried out.
Enhance technology, creativity and play
In Festa Esplai, children, young people and families also found workshops such as “La città infita”, where through recycled industrial materials they had to build a cooperative idea of a sustainable city. The activity has become a space that encourages group work and the participation of children and families, starting from a creative perspective towards a concept of sustainable city. They were also able to participate in the ” #ChicasInTech” workshop, which encourages STEAM vocations (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) among girls and young people.
Whistle concert!
The Party had at its closing with the performance of the renowned children’s animation group Xiula, who offered their show “Hits” with their greatest hits throughout a career of more than 10 years and hidden successes from their albums. A show that mixed humour, music and education, fundamental traits of the group throughout their career.
Nearly 250 teenagers have closed the Ral.li Jove 23 at Festa Esplai
About 250 teenagers, from the esplais of the Federació Catalana de l’Esplai, who were participating in the activity of the “Rally Jove 23” throughout the weekend, ended with the traditional chariot race at FESTA ESPLAI.