Hizketaldi handia = La gran conversación = The great conversation

J. J. Grandville, "Universe of Iron", 1844

The Great Conversation congress is the prelude to the project Stimulants: traffic and euphoria which will be held at Tabakalera during 2016-2017.

The project takes modern stimulants as its starting point; substances, such as tobacco, coffee, sugar and cocoa, were introduced via the transatlantic routes, initiated by the processes of colonisation and economic expansion, generating commercial traffic that transformed the habits of western societies.

The analysis of the geographic routes traced out by the trade in these substances, their uses in everyday life, or their status as principles that are ingested, "culturally" changing the body of the consumer, will be the elements of this study that will help us to think about our place in the contemporary world.

The Great Conversation will include workshops, lectures and conversations, with the participation of Max Jorge Hinderer Cruz, Erick Beltrán, Michael Marder, Marc Badal, Susana Carro Ripalda, Marion Cruza, Amaia Urra, Peio Aguirre, Hedoi Etxarte, Iñaki Martínez de Albéniz, Isabel de Naverán, Harkaitz Cano, Ula Iruretagoiena, Asier Mendizabal, Mikel Alberdi, Usue Arrieta, Miren Jaio, Álvaro Perdices and Inés Plasencia. Moderators: Olatz González (Anthropologist and professor at the UPV/EHU) and Oier Etxeberria, Responsible for Artistic Projects at Tabakalera.