Sagrada Família inaugurates collective sculpture ‘What does the Sagrada Família make you feel?’ - Sagrada Família inaugurates collective sculpture ‘What does the Sagrada Família make you feel?’

The Sagrada Família presented and inaugurated the collective sculpture ‘What does the Sagrada Família make you feel?’ this Thursday, 12 November. It is a piece created with participation from people with ties to the prison system in Catalonia, in collaboration with Fundació Obra Mercedària, the Catalan Ministry of Justice and Democratic Quality and the Associació d’Art-Teràpia Artenea.

The project took place throughout 2026 and was created to open up this heritage site to everyone and encourage participation, personal expression and social inclusion through art and culture.

Through the initiative, participants got to visit the Sagrada Família and take part in the creative process. Based on their experience, they expressed the feelings, emotions and reflections that the Basilica evoked in them with one or several words.

The result is a collective sculpture that gives these words physical form and light, transforming them into a shared expression of art. A work that shows how heritage sites and art can awaken emotions, forge bonds and act as tools for social transformation and participation.

Speakers at the inauguration included the Mons. David Abadías, Auxiliary Bishop of Barcelona; Hon. Ramon Espadaler, Catalan minister of Justice and Democratic Quality; Ms Marta Otzet, director of Culture and Social/Educational Actions at the Sagrada Família; Ms Susana Gómez, president of Associació d’Art-Teràpia Artenea and Ms Núria Ortín, director of Fundació Obra Mercedària. Two people with ties to Fundació Obra Mercedària also spoke at the event, sharing their experience of the project.

Also in attendance were Mr Esteve Camps, Executive Chairman of the Junta Constructora de la Sagrada Família; Mr Xavier Martínez, General Director of the Sagrada Família; and members of the Board of Trustees.