The seventh edition of the programme, titled “Kiss the Bread” (Besar el Pan), opens on 15 July in Bilbao and will conclude in Pamplona on 28 July. Bringing together 40 young people aged 16 and 17 from across Spain, the route combines site visits, workshops, historical reflection, and artistic creation across key locations in the Basque Country, Navarre, and southern France.
This year’s theme explores the everyday experiences of hunger, scarcity, and survival during the post-war years, while also examining collective initiatives around food production, distribution, and mutual aid that emerged during the Spanish Civil War and the Social Revolution. Through these stories, participants will reflect on the many forms of resistance developed in times of repression and hardship.
Created by young people and designed for young people, Route to Exile has become one of Spain’s most innovative memory education initiatives. Since its first edition in 2021, the programme has enabled more than 160 participants to engage critically and creatively with the history of exile, dictatorship, resistance, and human rights.
Throughout the journey, participants will take part in workshops led by educators, artists, researchers, and local memory practitioners. In parallel, each participant will develop an individual creative project inspired by the themes and experiences encountered along the route.
As a collaborating organisation, EUROM supports the programme’s commitment to democratic memory, civic engagement, and human rights education, bringing together different generations in a shared reflection on the relevance of the past for contemporary societies.
Complementary Workshop in Barcelona
As part of the Route to Exile 2026 programme, EUROM and the Route to Exile Association will organise a complementary training activity with the support of the Barcelona City Council. On 2 August, the workshop will bring together 20 young participants to explore questions of memory transmission, civic responsibility, and public history, using the newly inaugurated permanent exhibition at Montjuïc Castle as a starting point. Combining guided visits, facilitated discussions, and participatory learning activities, the workshop will encourage participants to critically reflect on the role of historical sites in preserving democratic memory and inspiring new forms of youth engagement with the past.
About Route to Exile
Route to Exile is a project by the associations Route to Exile and Wild and Proud supported by the Spanish Youth Institute (INJUVE), the Spain in Freedom | 50 Years Commissioner, the Navarre Memory Institute, Gogora – Institute for Memory, Coexistence and Human Rights of the Basque Government, and the European Observatory on Memories (EUROM) of the University of Barcelona.
Survey
This activity is co-financed by the European Commission and for its evaluation we kindly ask your collaboration in filling out this survey. You will need the information indicated below. Thank you very much!
- Reference of the Project: 101236354
- Type of activity: Training
- Title: Route to Exile
- Date: July 15, 2026
- 15 Days
- Physical event
- Spain and France