La Tabacalera de Lavapiés facts for kids
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Exterior of the building
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| Established | 2010 |
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| Location | c/ Embajadores 51 Madrid, Spain |
| Type | Cultural center, Autonomous social center, Art gallery |
La Tabacalera de Lavapiés is a popular cultural and social center in Madrid, Spain. It's also known as the Self-managed Social Center Tabacalera de Lavapiés. This center is made up of several large buildings connected together. They are located in the heart of the Lavapiés neighborhood. The buildings belong to the Spanish Ministry of Culture. However, since 2010, a local group has been in charge of managing the space.
The center is a lively place for many activities. It has a fab lab, a theatre, and spaces for music bands. Many artists and social groups use the center. It is seen as one of the most important places for cultural events in Madrid. Young people especially enjoy visiting La Tabacalera.
Contents
History of the Building
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The buildings that now house La Tabacalera were once an old tobacco factory. King Charles III of Spain ordered its construction in 1781. The factory started making tobacco in 1809. It employed about 6,000 women workers. The factory was very large, covering a huge area.
In 1977, the building was recognized as an important part of Spanish Cultural Heritage. It received a special mention called Bien de Interés Cultural. The factory kept working until 1999. That's when the public tobacco company, Tabacalera, became a private company. The buildings were then given to the Spanish Ministry of Culture.
How La Tabacalera Started
For 10 years after its closure, the building was empty and not well cared for. Local groups from Lavapiés started to organize. They wanted to use the abandoned property for their neighborhood. They hoped to create a new cultural and social center.
Starting in 2004, many activities took place. These events were part of a series called "Tabacalera A Debate." Many artists and cultural leaders supported this idea. Finally, in 2010, the Ministry of Culture signed an agreement. They leased the property to a local group called SCCPP for one year. The Ministry agreed to support the "cultural project CSA La Tabacalera de Lavapiés." This project was a test for how different groups could work together. It aimed to help the social, creative, and intellectual growth of the community.
In late 2011, the agreement was renewed. This time, it was with a new group called the Association for the Tabacalera of Lavapiés. The new lease was for 8 years, with an option to renew every two years. About one-third of the total building space is used by the Self-managed Social Center La Tabacalera de Lavapiés.
Activities at the Center
The center follows five main ideas from its original agreement. These are:
- Self-management: People who use the center help run it.
- Participatory democracy: Everyone can have a say in decisions.
- Free Culture: Sharing creative works freely.
- New cultural ideas: Thinking differently about how culture is managed.
- Community expression: Helping people share their ideas through art and culture.
Because of these ideas, the center quickly became known for hosting many different groups. These groups focus on social, cultural, and artistic activities. The center is managed by open meetings held every two weeks. It also has open commissions where people can join. Groups hosted at the center are expected to be open and fair. Many groups share their work using Creative Commons licenses. This means others can use and share their creations.
The center has a large main building and several smaller ones. It also has a community garden, a patio, a bar, and a library. There is a free shop and a restaurant too. Many artistic events happen here. You can see murals from the Madrid Street Art Project. There is also urban graffiti art in its galleries. Photo exhibitions, like PHotoEspaña, are often held here.
The center has a theatre that hosts many performing arts. These include theatre plays, circus acts, skateboarding, and dance. Many music groups from different cultures perform here. You can hear reggae or Afro music at regular concerts. The center offers workshops to teach new skills. These include drawing, cooking, bike repair, sewing, and video-making. They also offer workshops on legal issues.
La Tabacalera regularly hosts wrestling matches. It also has flea markets and film festivals. Many social and political events take place here. These include meetings, debates, and lectures. The center is also home to a hackerspace and the fab lab Nave Trapecio.
After the 15-M protests in 2011, some people criticized the center. They were concerned about it hosting meetings for protesters and groups supporting migrant rights.
International Recognition
Time Out magazine has praised La Tabacalera. They wrote that it is the most famous self-managed center in Madrid. They noted that anyone can propose an exhibit or organize a debate there. Time Out said that centers like this make cultural events popular in the area. They also mentioned that locals always support these events.
Atlas Obscura magazine called it "one of the most striking examples of Madrid's cultural diversity." They also described it as a "bastion of democracy." Both New York Times and Washington Post have suggested visiting La Tabacalera. It has also been called "Madrid's most exciting art space." This is because of its "vibrant artistic community." It is also known as "Madrid's Most Culturally Diverse Space."
See also
In Spanish: La Tabacalera de Lavapiés para niños
- Lavapiés
- La Ingobernable
- Patio Maravillas
