Sacristán Revolutions

Manuel Sacristán’s Relevance in His Centenary Year (1925-2025)

Manuel Sacristán Luzón is a key figure in 20th-century philosophy, both locally and internationally. His contributions, for example, were fundamental to the emergence of political ecology that occurred in the 1970s. His staunch anti-Francoism and anti-capitalism, together with his ethical and political demands, have not helped his presence in our society since his death. But reality is stronger than the desire for oblivion and insignificance. The ecosocial crisis, the crisis of disinformation, the crisis of representation in institutional politics, precarious working and life conditions, patriarchy or war as a solution all demonstrate the enduring relevance of his ideas and actions. “His adventure was not one of islands, but of crossroads,” wrote Francisco Fernández Buey of his mentor and friend. Manuel Sacristán Luzón was not an island; he was not a philosopher who sought to construct his own image and thought in isolation. This season seeks to create spaces for reflection and creation based on the ideas generated by Sacristán, which help us today to continue examining our world and imagining more desirable alternatives.

PROGRAM

Tuesday 9 December  
From Manuel Sacristán to Zohran Mamdani: Democratic Socialism  
João França (online connection) and Jordi Mir Garcia 
 
Manuel Sacristán Luzón was a leading figure in communist and anti-Francoist thought and action during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Considering the continuity of his demands today, a connection can be drawn with Zohran Mamdani’s campaign victory in New York. This session seeks to examine Sacristán’s thought and actions, as well as what may be represented by the new horizons that led to Mamdani’s mayoral election, without forgetting other contemporary experiences. Participants will include João França from New York, an anthropologist, journalist and scholar of social mobilisation, and Jordi Mir Garcia in Barcelona, a professor of moral and political philosophy at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Wednesday 10 December  
Doing Politics Differently and Revolutionary Pacifism 
Joana Bregolat, Víctor Ríos and Montse Santolino

Two defining characteristics of Manuel Sacristán Luzón’s thought and actions were revolutionary pacifism capable of transforming society and overcoming existing oppression and the search for new ways of doing politics to organise and achieve necessary emancipations. In the face of growing political disaffection and current challenges, what forms of politics are needed? Participants will include Joana Bregolat, an ecofeminist activist; Víctor Ríos, a friend and disciple; and Montse Santolino, a journalist and activist. 

Thursday 11 December  
The Urgency of the Ecosocial Transition 
Enric Tello and Eva Vilaseca 

Manuel Sacristán Luzón was a pioneer of political ecology, having begun advocating decisive action, which is now more urgent than ever, even since the 1970s. Beyond his role as a reference point and driving force behind this thought and action, we must think and act today in the face of the climate emergency, which is already having serious consequences for our lives. This session brings together Enric Tello, a professor in the Department of Economic History, Institutions, Politics and World Economy at the Universitat de Barcelona, who can be considered a disciple of Sacristán, and Eva Vilaseca, a biologist and member of the Catalan Assembly for the Ecosocial Transition (ACTE).