Although the Roma community has been and continues to be an important part of the social fabric of Barcelona and its surroundings, we know little about its religious practices. The Evangelical Church of Philadelphia is one of the most important evangelical entities developed in Spain and is notably unique as the church with the largest Roma representation in the country. In Barcelona, it has a presence, among other places, in the neighborhood of La Mina. Music and Roma religiosity merge in an extraordinary expression, in a worship that places special emphasis on praise and adoration.
This conversation aims to provide context for the worship that will take place at the Evangelical Church of La Mina on Saturday, November 16. Led by Rafael Fajardo, intercultural technician and evangelical pastor; Jelen Amador, PhD in Sociology and member of the evangelical community; and Mariví Cortés, intercultural mediator and active member of the Evangelical Church of Philadelphia, we will explore the history of this Pentecostal church, the characteristics of its worship, its relations with other evangelical and Catholic churches, the role of music in the liturgy, and the role of women within its practices and community.
Featuring:
María Jerusalén Amador, lawyer and PhD in Sociology. Her thesis explores the role of Roma women in the reconfiguration of the evangelical church and gender inequalities. She balances her family life with her work at the Office of Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination of the Generalitat.
Rafael Fajardo, a graduate of the Philadelphia Mission Bible Seminary, has been a pastor since 2008 and a community mediator with the Transforma’t service in the Sant Andreu district since 2017.
Mariví Cortés, of Roma heritage, is an intercultural and community mediator. In addition to being a member of the Evangelical Church of Philadelphia, she teaches and trains Sunday school teachers and hosts the radio program ‘Dicen’ on Marina Radio.
With the moderation of Horacio Curti, PhD in Ethnomusicology and professor at ESMUC.
Trànsits is organized by the Museum of Music and the Office of Religious Affairs.