An opening process: how newcomers are involved in the cultural mainstream associations in Catalonia

Abstract

This article introduces the principal findings of research on how mainstream cultural associations in Catalonia are implementing policy for the incorporation of immigrants. During the last ten years, some inclusionary programmes have been performed in this field, most of them by the Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya (Human Towers Main Board). The research herein was developed from the analysis of both actors involved in this field: mainstream cultural associations; and immigrants themselves. This methodology allows us to study how motivations, misconceptions and prejudices play a role. Therefore, the objective of the research is to show not the quantitative results of this policy of incorporation, but the factors involved in it, and the consequences for migrant participation in the cultural associations. The initiative of associations in this field is very prominent, with a very open strategy of incorporation of the so-named “new Catalans”. But, is the result of this policy an intercultural framework? Or is it just a strategy to reinforce Catalan identity through an assimilation process?