Culture and identity
Celebrating cultural expression as a living force, rooted in and open to the world
Culture is the living expression of a people’s spirit — a force rooted in its origins, nourished by creativity, and projected into the future through continuous evolution. Inspired by the work of Gaudí, who knew how to fuse tradition and innovation, the Gaudí Movement promotes a culture that does not merely preserve, but transforms — opening horizons and celebrating beauty as a path towards understanding and collective evolution.
Pillar of culture and identity
Commitment to the language, culture and people of each land
The Gaudí Movement affirms a deep respect for the languages, cultures and peoples of every land, recognising them as living expressions of human creativity, memory and meaning.
Language and culture are not merely tools of communication or traditions to be preserved, but pathways to encounter, understanding and shared humanity.
In a globalised world marked by mobility and diversity, cultural encounter should not be lived as a threat, but as an opportunity for mutual growth. A just, cohesive and peaceful society is built when people feel seen, respected and valued in their identity, while also being invited into a shared civic and cultural space.
The Gaudí Movement therefore supports initiatives that:
Encourage appreciation of local languages and cultures as pathways to understanding and mutual respect.
Promote cultural exchange grounded in curiosity, humility and openness.
Foster respect for difference as a source of enrichment rather than division.
Support welcoming processes that honour both the dignity of newcomers and the cultural fabric of the places that receive them.
By valuing the language, culture and people of each land, we contribute to a world where diversity is not merely tolerated, but respected –and where understanding becomes the foundation for peaceful coexistence and collective evolution.
Commitment to the rights of peoples
The Gaudí Movement seeks to highlight the importance of respecting the rights of peoples – national, cultural, and linguistic – around the world.
Even today, many communities experience injustice or invisibility, often ignored by institutions – and even by their own churches.
Situations that need addressing include:
Poorly defined borders resulting from colonialism or dynastic wars.
Disregard for national minorities within states composed of diverse ethnic groups.
Suppression of so-called minority languages and cultures.
Systematic denial of any initiative for the self-determination of stateless nations.
The Gaudí Movement aims to foster dialogue between affected groups to open the door to mutual recognition and peaceful coexistence. In particular:
It is essential to recognise that, all too often, even religious denominations reproduce centralist patterns, sidelining native languages.
We must reclaim Gaudí’s spirit to drive change rooted in trust, respect, and cooperation.
Languages are not just tools for communication – they express a way of seeing the world. Respecting them is key to achieving lasting peace.
📍 See also the commitment to human rights, under the pillar “Action and Social Commitment”.
Commitment to world peace and brotherhood, including art as an expression of spirituality and harmony in the world
A commitment to a world where justice, love, and mutual respect form the foundation of peacefeul coexistence.
World peace and brotherhood are the natural fruit of respecting the rights of all peoples – national, cultural and linguistic – and of all human beings.
The majority of wars and conflict in the world stem from a failure to respect these rights and from rivalries between neighbouring peoples. For this reason, the Gaudí Movement is committed to promoting the defence of these rights and encouraging honest dialogue as a means of overcoming rivalry and division.
The Sagrada Família must become a symbol of brotherhood and world peace – rooted in justice, love, and forgiveness. It should be a temple for all peoples of the world, a place of encounter and of prayer for the protection of these fundamental rights. It should also serve as a space for mediation, where people of goodwill can come together to foster understanding and seek solutions to conflict.
The soaring structure of the temple lifts the hopes of all peoples towards the infinite.
Expanding the Gaudí Movement around the globe could open the door to greater mutual understanding, brotherhood and harmony among the world’s peoples and cultures.
Relevant action domains
- Art, literature, music, choral singing, dance and cinema
- World peace and brotherhood
- Not-for-profit, civic and community organisations
- Architecture, urban development and infrastructure
