Girona will welcome the night of religions from 12 to 14 November, an initiative designed to foster interreligious dialogue, coexistence, and respect among various beliefs. The event is spearheaded by the Directorate General of Religious Affairs of the Generalitat of Catalonia and organised by the UNESCO Association for Interreligious Dialogue (AUDIR), with backing from the Girona City Council.
The night of religions advocates for the right to religious freedom and institutional commitment to building a pluralistic and inclusive society. Throughout the event, places of worship and some municipal facilities will open their doors to offer a diverse programme of cultural, reflective, and experiential activities.
The programme includes conferences, poetry recitals, performances, gastronomic tastings, and guided tours, all aimed at breaking stereotypes and creating spaces for encounter. This initiative aligns with the functions of the Directorate General of Religious Affairs to promote mutual understanding and social cohesion through the recognition of the religious plurality present in the region.
Various religious and spiritual communities from the municipalities will actively participate in the night of religions, including Christianity (Catholic, Evangelical, and Orthodox), Islam, the Sikh community, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Bahá'í Faith, and other expressions of thought and spirituality.
This initiative reflects UNESCO's recommendations, which view culture as the sum of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional traits characterising a society. It provides an opportunity to showcase and understand interconvictional and religious diversity at the local level, facilitating dialogue and the sharing of different perspectives surrounding beliefs and convictions. The event underscores the commitment to normalising the exercise of the right to religious freedom and promoting social cohesion.
