A Tribute to the Memory and Identity of Sant Joan Through Urban Art

A mural that gives voice to the memory and community spirit of Sant Joan.

The neighborhood of Sant Joan, in Vilanova i la Geltrú, breathes history, identity, and resilience. Now, thanks to the artistic intervention From the First Arrivals to Today, its spirit is immortalized in a vibrant and meaningful mural. Inaugurated on December 4, 2024, the project was produced by Rebobinart, painted by artist Slim Safont, and developed through a participatory process led by the community engagement team of El Globus Vermell. This intervention is part of the MurMurs initiative, which revitalizes towns and cities across Catalonia through urban art.

The project’s goal is clear: to transform public spaces into a mirror of its people, turning art into a tool for memory, identity, and cohesion. With a strong commitment to preserving this work in the long term, the mural becomes a vehicle to amplify the voice of the neighborhood, connecting the past, present, and future.

A Story Rooted in 1957
The Sant Joan neighborhood was born with the “21 de Enero” blocks, public housing built in 1957 to host young families from across Spain seeking a better future. This environment fostered a strong community spirit that, thanks to the Sant Joan Neighborhood Association, became the first active neighborhood association in Vilanova i la Geltrú.

Over the years, this solidarity has been enriched by new waves of migration, making Sant Joan a vibrant example of coexistence and cultural diversity.

A Co-Creation Process with the Community
The creative process for the mural stood out for the active participation of the neighborhood’s residents, led by El Globus Vermell. Participatory sessions collected visions of Sant Joan’s past, present, and future, highlighting words like pride, diversity, and hospitality, which inspired the artist in designing the artwork.

During these gatherings, residents shared memories, photographs, emotions, and values that define the collective identity of the neighborhood. This unique collaboration has strengthened the sense of belonging and shared memory.

A Mural Connecting Past and Present
The design of From the First Arrivals to Today portrays a young current resident of Sant Joan holding a photograph of a woman with a baby in her arms, entering the blocks during the 1950s-60s. This moment symbolizes the beginning of a hopeful new life for many families.

This visual composition links the first generations who founded the neighborhood with today’s generations, reclaiming memory, family, and community. Slim Safont, renowned for his figurative and realistic style, has captured the spirit of Sant Joan, creating a piece that bridges past and future through a universal artistic language.

Redefining Public Space with Urban Art
This artistic intervention not only beautifies the Sant Joan neighborhood but also inaugurates a new way of envisioning urban art: putting citizens at the center. When a city invests in murals that capture the essence of its neighborhoods, public space becomes a living stage for shared stories. MurMurs embodies this vision, connecting people and roots to make every neighborhood truly their own.

Visit Sant Joan and be inspired by this visual tribute that connects generations and reaffirms the power of art as a transformative tool.