El Porriño will host EVOCAMIÑO on 3 November, a cultural project designed to explore the Camino de Santiago in an innovative way, blending immersive technology, memory, and community participation. The event will take place in the Plaza del Concello starting at 16:30 and is free and open to all.
Participants will have the opportunity to experience various landscapes of the Portuguese Way through virtual reality and hear stories from individuals connected to the pilgrimage route. Alejandro Lorenzo, the mayor of El Porriño, emphasised the significance of hosting this event in the town, which is a key stop on the Portuguese Way. He stated that El Porriño aims to “put the memories of our elders at the forefront to preserve them,” collaborating with AFAGA to use technology as an emotional bridge.
“The Camino is not just history; it is also the living memory of our elders, and with this initiative, we open an inclusive space where everyone feels part of our shared heritage,” said the mayor.
The programme includes a virtual reality experience to explore different environments of the Camino, a screening of testimonies capturing the experiences of its participants, and a creative shell workshop where attendees can contribute to a collective keepsake. The day will also feature a photo booth for participants to take home a photograph and a keychain as mementos. The event will conclude at 18:00 with a snack.
EVOCAMIÑO aims to recover, activate, and disseminate the living memory of the Camino de Santiago, preserving the memories and stories of those who have walked, accompanied, or closely experienced the route. The project views the Camino not only as a physical itinerary but also as a space for encounter, memory, and intergenerational exchange.
Through virtual reality, imagery, sound, and narration, the initiative seeks to enhance access to the cultural heritage of the Camino, particularly for the elderly and those with mobility challenges or cognitive impairments, while also encouraging participation from families, youth, and the wider community.
The project is driven by the Galician technology company INSATI, which specialises in digital solutions for health, care, and cognitive accessibility, in collaboration with AFAGA Alzheimer. The initiative includes activities in various municipalities linked to the Camino de Santiago in Galicia, contributing to the preservation and sharing of a cultural and emotional heritage that is integral to the identity of the region. The event in El Porriño is supported by the Concello and is part of a broader initiative backed by the Xunta de Galicia and Xacobeo 2027.
