At the entrance of Primavera Sound Barcelona 2025 , festival-goers are greeted by an arresting art installation titled Unsilence Gaza . The 15-meter-long tunnel immerses visitors in a soundscape that recreates the harrowing auditory experience of life under bombardment in Gaza. Designed by Palestinian sound engineer Oussama Rima, the installation is part of a collaboration between the festival's foundation and local NGOs Casa Nostra, Casa Vostra, and NOVACT (International Institute for Nonviolent Action).
An Immersive Experience
The installation aims to confront attendees with the stark reality faced by civilians in Gaza, where the persistent noise of drones, sirens, and explosions creates an environment of constant fear and trauma. Visitors walking through the darkened tunnel hear a two-minute loop of authentic sounds collected from recent footage and field recordings. These include the cries of children, the collapse of buildings, and the ominous hum of surveillance drones overhead.
Organizers describe the initiative as an effort to highlight how sound can be both a source of connection and pleasure, as well as a tool for violence and oppression. "In Primavera Sound, sound is emotion, connection, pleasure. But sound can also be the opposite: it can become a weapon," reads a statement on the festival’s website. According to the NGOs involved, bomb blasts in Gaza can reach up to 170 decibels—far beyond what the human body can endure without sustaining harm.
A Call for Awareness and Solidarity
At the exit of the tunnel, a discreet booth sells merchandise such as black T-shirts and hoodies bearing the slogan Unsilenced Gaza . Proceeds from these sales will go directly to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, which provides emergency medical aid to those affected by the conflict. This fundraising effort aligns with previous initiatives led by the Fundació Primavera Sound, including last year’s immersive audiovisual project Gaza: Mirror of Our Society , created by artist Jofre Oliveras.
The installation has sparked mixed reactions among festival-goers. While some have described it as a powerful and necessary reminder of global struggles amidst the festivities, others have chosen to bypass the experience, finding it too unsettling. One attendee remarked, “I didn’t expect it to feel so real… I thought it would be more abstract.” Another noted, “You realize how little time we spend thinking about what others are enduring while we’re here enjoying ourselves.”
Beyond Entertainment
The juxtaposition of a vibrant music festival with the somber realities depicted in Unsilence Gaza underscores the dual role of events like Primavera Sound—as spaces for celebration but also as platforms for advocacy. By integrating projects like Unsilence Gaza , they seek to challenge perceptions and encourage reflection on pressing global issues.
As night falls over Parc del Fòrum and the beats of electronic music fill the air, Unsilence Gaza stands as a sobering counterpoint—a reminder that even in moments of joy, there is value in pausing to listen to the world’s silenced voices.
A 15-meter tunnel recreates the sounds of war in Gaza, challenging attendees to confront the human cost of conflict amidst the festival's celebration of music.