Spanish PM backs Palestinian activist at music festival in Barcelona

• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez backed pro-Palestinian activist Arab Barghouti after his onstage speech at Barcelona's Primavera Sound music festival.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez publicly expressed his support for Palestinian activist Arab Barghouti following an emotional speech delivered on the main stage of the Primavera Sound music festival in Barcelona.

Barghouti, the son of the long-imprisoned Palestinian political figure Marwan Barghouti, addressed a massive crowd at the Parc del Fòrum on Saturday night. He was invited to the stage by the British virtual band Gorillaz to introduce their headline set.

Following the speech, Prime Minister Sánchez shared a video of the moment on his official Instagram account with the caption: "Thank you for raising your voice."

A Call for Hope and Justice

Arab Barghouti took the Estrella Damm stage just before Gorillaz began their performance. His address resonated deeply with the festivalgoers, who responded with widespread chants of "Free Palestine."

"My father is one of 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, but for millions of Palestinians he represents something that Israel cannot imprison: hope," Barghouti told the crowd. "Hope that Palestinian children will grow up in peace. Freedom won in South Africa, in Ireland, and in Algeria, because people like you refused to look away, refused to give up. So keep fighting for Palestine, for Gaza, and for justice."
Barghouti had originally been scheduled to speak on Thursday night during Massive Attack’s set, but severe weather and heavy rains forced the cancellation of that evening's performances. Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, who has a long history of supporting Palestinian rights, ensured Barghouti still received his platform on Saturday.

Political Presence and Festival Culture

Sánchez attended the prominent music festival alongside his wife, Begoña Gómez, and the Catalan regional President, Salvador Illa. During his visit, the Prime Minister met with festival organizers, including co-directors Gabi Ruiz and Alfonso Lanza, and spoke with musicians backstage.

In a subsequent social media post, Sánchez praised the festival’s identity, writing that Primavera Sound is "much more than music." He lauded the event as a reflection of an open and pluralistic society, thanking organizers for their clear commitment to "values like peace, solidarity, and the defense of a culture that brings us together."

Primavera’s History of Activism

The integration of human rights and anti-war advocacy has become a staple of Primavera Sound's identity. This year's festival prominently featured an illuminated, large-scale "No War" sign over the grounds, alongside continuous messaging calling for peace and global solidarity.

This builds on the festival's past programming:

• "Unsilence Gaza" Installation: In a previous edition, organizers built a 15-meter (50-foot) sensory tunnel designed to simulate the sounds of bombardments in Gaza, aiming to directly immerse European youth in the harsh realities of the conflict.
• Artist-Led Platforms: Irish rap group Kneecap also hosted Barghouti on stage during this edition, scheduling his appearance on his father's birthday to amplify calls for Marwan Barghouti's release.

Primavera Sound concluded its weekend run having drawn over 287,000 attendees.