In 2005, Los niños de Morelia [The Children of Morelia] opened theatre collective La Jarra Azul’s trilogy about the ships that sailed to the Americas following the Spanish Civil War, carrying thousands of people forced into exile by the fascist regime. It was followed by Winnipeg, el vaixell de Neruda [Winnipeg, Neruda’s Ship] (2020 Barcelona Grec Festival), and now, in 2025, the company is celebrating its 25^th anniversary and closing out the trilogy with Massilia. The show, which takes its name from a ship, tells the story of some of the passengers who arrived in Buenos Aires in 1939, where the press and journalism played a key role. Four young actors reflect on the experiences of that era, which now seems distant, yet still offers valuable lessons for a present that is once again caught between extremes. Could it be that some of the descendants of those Republican exiles who fled fascism are now supporters of the far-right policies currently being implemented in Argentina?

At the helm of the production is theatre director and playwright Nelson Valente, founder and director of the Complejo Cultural Banfield Teatro Ensamble, in Buenos Aires, and the company of the same name. He was also involved in two shows from the 2023 Barcelona Grec Festival: Sílvia and Rovira vs Rodríguez, two instalments in a transatlantic trilogy. The playwrights are Albert Boronat, founder of the Projecte NISU company, and Maria Donoso. Recent projects by Boronat include 1936 (2024), about the 18 July 1936 military coup in Spain, Prostitución [Prostitution] (with Andrés Lima; 2020), Una casa en la montaña [A House in the Mountains] (Grec 2023) and NODI: de gossos i malditos [NODI: of dogs and malditos] (2024). He was joined in NODI by Maria Donoso, also involved in Fem (la llista de Lourdes) [Fem: the Lourdes List], the Teatre Kaddish and other community projects in Prat de Llobregat.

La Jarra Azul emerged 25 years ago in the Sant Andreu district, bringing theatre and culture to hundreds of young people. Many of them now have careers in the performing arts. The collective also organises the Mostra de Curtmetratges Dr. Mabuse, a short film show.

Produced by La Jarra Azul, Puça Espectacles and Teatre Akadèmia.