On the occasion of Sant Jordi, the Institut Català d’Investigació Química enjoyed a week full of activities that went far beyond roses and books. The celebration became a meeting point for the Institute’s community, where science, culture, and solidarity came together to create a special and participatory event.
One of the highlights was the new blood donation campaign, an initiative that reinforces ICIQ’s social commitment and highlights the involvement of its staff. The participation of the community was key to making this solidarity action possible, showing that the spirit of collaboration and mutual support remains one of the institution’s core values.
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Science, culture, and solidarity came together at ICIQ this Sant Jordi! This year’s celebration went beyond books and roses, bringing our community together through activities that reflect the spirit of the day: giving back, sharing stories and connecting through knowledge.
A blood donation campaign to support those in need
A micro-story contest showcasing the creativity behind the lab coats and computers
An inspiring science outreach talk on plastics and science communication
A book and bookmark exchange to keep stories moving At Institut Català d’Investigació Química, Sant Jordi is also about building community and connecting science with society. Thank you to everyone who took part and made it possible! #SantJordi2026 #santjordi2026
The cultural side of the celebration featured two main highlights. On the one hand, the micro-story contest once again showcased the literary talent and creativity hidden behind lab coats and computer keyboards. Under the theme “What can happen in just one minute?”, participants were invited to imagine stories around actions as diverse as winning, losing, loving, acting, or waiting, in no more than 250 words.
As an example of the intensity and emotions that can be condensed into just sixty seconds, we are sharing the winning story in its original language.
Fenomen
Molts cops em quedo reflexionant sobre tu,
és una sensació tan estranya que siguis incontrolable.
Per molt que entenguem el funcionament del món,
continuem sense poder domar-te, sense poder aturar-te.
A tu no se’t pot aplicar allò de ‘tornem a començar de nou’,
perquè per allà on has passat, has deixat una petjada inesborrable.
Res pot defugir de tu, ho impregnes absolutament tot,
encara que hi haurà sempre algun físic que intentarà evitar-te.
Et veig i et constato quan estic amb la meva mare,
quan ens capgirem en ella ser jo i jo ser ella.
Et palpo quan em miro al mirall, quan contemplo el meu voltant,
quan miro aquelles fotos i percebo la llunyania de l’instant.
Aterres a molta gent i t’intenten desafiar,
però no crec que se’n surtin amb massa capacitat.
La falta de poder governar-te origina aquest espant,
però ben mirat, és el que li dona valor de veritat.
Ets l’augment de l’entropia universal, el caos desafiant,
ets la complexitat que alimenta la continuïtat.
Sense tu no hi hauria ni inici ni final,
i quina condemna seria continuar existint sense significat.
Quin fenomen aquest de l’amor,
quin fenomen aquest del temps.
Meritxell Díaz Estirado
On the other hand, the ICIQ community had the opportunity to enjoy an inspiring outreach talk by Dr. Jordi Díaz, from the Universitat de Barcelona, who offered a different perspective on plastics and the fundamental role of science communication with presentation of his last book “A world with plastics is possible?”. The session highlighted the importance of bringing scientific knowledge closer to society and encouraging critical reflection on the environmental challenges of the present and the future.
The celebration was rounded off with the traditional book excchange, an initiative that promotes circularity, conscious consumption, and the discovery of new stories. Beyond the exchange itself, this activity has become a space for connection and interaction among members of the community, keeping the spirit of Sant Jordi alive within the Institute.
La entrada ICIQ celebrates a supportive and cultural Sant Jordi se publicó primero en ICIQ.