Tarragona will host the Novembres de l’IMET throughout November, establishing the month as a key period for educational initiatives in the city. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Tarragona's designation as a Child-Friendly City, a title awarded by UNICEF, which has recently been renewed for the 2026-2029 period.
The initiative features around fifty activities that underscore Tarragona's commitment to education, viewing it as a continuous and shared process extending beyond the classroom and encompassing all aspects of civic life. Isabel Mascaró, the city’s Education Councillor, emphasised that the Novembres de l'IMET allows for a focus on crucial issues such as how to support children and adolescents, ensure their rights, and build a city that considers their voices and needs.
"Beyond the vast array of activities, we aim to highlight Tarragona's educational ecosystem and the numerous learning opportunities available to children, adolescents, and their families," Mascaró stated.
The Novembres de l’IMET is structured around two main themes: the decade-long recognition as a Child-Friendly City and Tarragona's role as an Educator City. The programme aims to illustrate how learning transcends traditional educational settings, with culture, heritage, leisure, and public spaces serving as educational environments supported by municipal services, organisations, and professionals.
A significant event will take place on 20 November, which is also World Children's Day. This day advocates for children's rights and the need to ensure conditions that allow them to grow, learn, and develop in safe, inclusive, and participatory environments. The municipal plenary will approve the Local Plan for Children and Adolescents 2026-2030, which will outline municipal policies in this area for the coming years.
On the same day, at 18:00, the Municipal School of Music of Tarragona will host student performances across its three locations. The celebrations will also include the Children's Rights Day Festival at 18:00 in Plaza Corsini, aiming to raise awareness of children's rights from a participatory and community perspective.
From 20 to 30 November, the exhibition "Hands and Little Hands" will be on display at the IMET headquarters. Inspired by the work of textile artist Aurèlia Muñoz, this collective art installation showcases contributions from children, emphasising the right to culture, play, and artistic expression.
The celebrations will conclude on 26 November with the event "Tarragona: 10 years as a Child-Friendly City and Adolescence" at the Palau Firal and Congress Centre from 09:00 to 14:00. This event coincides with the International Educator City Day and highlights Tarragona's recognition as a World Heritage site, focusing on the city's educational potential and the ability of culture, heritage, and public spaces to facilitate learning beyond the classroom.
On 28 November, various activities will bring education closer to everyday spaces, culture, and heritage. Starting at 09:30, the Tarragona History Museum will open its heritage sites, inviting families to explore the Amphitheatre, the Forum of the Colony, the Circus, and the Pretorium, among others. Additionally, activities such as "The Little Childhood Dome: Little Dreams" will engage children aged zero to three in creative exploration using natural materials and large wooden construction pieces.
The same day will feature the activity "Let’s Build the City We Want," where children and families can collaboratively imagine and construct their ideal city. At 16:00, the Archaeological Walk will host "The Time Enigma!", a workshop encouraging children to discover different historical periods and assist five characters in returning to their time.
On 30 November, a new day will focus on the relationship between education and heritage. At 09:00, the Pretorium Tower will host the Heritage Education Day, fostering a collaborative space for reflection and work among educators, businesses, and professionals linked to heritage. The programme will culminate at 18:30 with a video mapping presentation titled "Educator City," created by students from various educational institutions, projected onto the façade of Tarragona's Town Hall.
The Novembres de l’IMET programme includes a wide range of activities for children, adolescents, and families, such as reading clubs, play workshops, dance and artistic creation sessions, theatre performances, concerts, and opportunities to explore the natural and cultural environment. Additionally, talks will be offered through the Family School on educational support and affective-sexual education, alongside youth activities focused on emotional well-being, critical thinking, diversity, audiovisual creation, and training and employment opportunities.
Children and adolescents will also participate in initiatives such as the awards for drawings and stories advocating for children's rights and involvement in the Municipal Council of Children and Adolescents at the National Council of Children and Adolescents of Catalonia congress. The full programme, including schedules, venues, and registration information, is available on the municipal website.
Through the Novembres de l’IMET, Tarragona reinforces the recognition of education as a central element of community life. The programme, coordinated by the Municipal Institute of Education of Tarragona (IMET), involves collaboration from various municipal departments, including Tarragona Culture, Tarragona Youth, the Civic Centre Network, the Tarragona History Museum, the Municipal School of Music of Tarragona, and the Pepita Ferrer Library.
