On 12 November, Oviedo will host a new edition of PERISCOPIO, focusing on the future of the former La Vega Arms Factory, a key site in the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2031.

The event will bring together international cultural professionals and managers who will share their experiences of revitalising former industrial sites and adapting them for new cultural uses. The aim is to explore different approaches to transformation, exchange knowledge and bring fresh perspectives to the future possibilities of La Vega.

Participating projects include Fabra i Coats in Barcelona, a former textile factory transformed into a centre for artistic creation; Poligon Creative Center in Ljubljana, Slovenia, dedicated to creative industries and innovation; and DEPO2015 in Plzeň, Czechia, a former bus depot converted into a cultural and creative hub. Representatives of international networks such as Trans Europe Halles and ICOMOS, whose work focuses on the revitalisation of cultural spaces and heritage conservation, will also take part.

The programme will feature panel discussions and a participatory session entitled Siéntate a la mesa (Take a Seat at the Table), inviting local cultural organisations and residents to share their ideas, proposals and concerns about the future of La Vega. The session will feature Zoe López Mediero, co-artistic director of Oviedo 2031, and Marcella Ciacci, author of The 99, a guide to 99 pioneering art centres around the world.

International participants will also visit the former La Vega Arms Factory and take part in a working session to exchange experiences and reflect on the challenges and opportunities involved in revitalising industrial sites of this kind.

La Vega plays a prominent role in the Oviedo 2031 bid, thanks to its potential to host cultural activities, support artistic creation and become a new meeting place for the community. Its revitalisation also raises important questions about industrial heritage conservation, public participation and the integration of new cultural uses into the city’s everyday life.

PERISCOPIO Oviedo forms part of the ongoing development of the city’s bid for the European Capital of Culture 2031 title, which places culture at the heart of social transformation, cooperation and regional development. The initiative aims to connect European experiences with the ideas and needs of Asturias’ cultural community, bringing new perspectives to the debate on the future of La Vega.

The event is free and open to the public, with prior registration required through the Fundación Contemporánea website.