CAT Tradicionàrius

CAT Tradicionàrius is a cultural centre of reference for traditional music and popular culture in the Catalan-speaking territories and southern Europe. Located in Gràcia a neighbourhood of Barcelona, it offers a stable programme of concerts and folk dances, alongside cultural, educational and participatory activities, as well as artistic residencies supporting creative processes.

Founded in 1993 by the Associació Cultural TRAM—with the support of Barcelona City Council—CAT emerged to meet the need for a dedicated live venue for folk and traditional music and dance. Since then, it has become a key space for the projection of both emerging and established artists, as well as for the growth of a strong and active cultural community.

Each year, CAT welcomes more than 35,000 attendees and around 600 students through its workshops in music, song and dance. It also manages the Escola Folk del Pirineu – Tallers d’Arsèguel, a leading training centre in the Pyrenees. Its 1,400 m² premises include the Auditori Jordi Fàbregas (300-seat capacity, professional tech setup), the BAR del CAT, rehearsal rooms, classrooms and an exhibition hall.

Since 1988, TRAM has organised the Festival Folk Internacional Tradicionàrius, the most significant folk event in southern Europe. The festival showcases artists working with tradition, innovation, creation and cross-disciplinary practices—hosting both renowned performers and emerging voices from around the world. 

The CAT’s mission is to give space and visibility to traditional music and culture, while promoting innovation and dissemination. It champions a living, inclusive and dynamic cultural model, rooted in people and places. It acts as a vital hub for artists, audiences and projects, fostering intercultural dialogue and diversity.

In addition to being the home of numerous cultural organisations, CAT is deeply embedded in the cultural and associative fabric of the city. It collaborates actively with major festivals like Fira Mediterrània de Manresa and BarnaSants, as well as with Barcelona’s local festivals such as Santa Eulàlia, La Mercè, Festa Major de Gràcia and the Foguerons de Sant Antoni. It also promotes grassroots cultural initiatives across the territory.

With over three decades of history, CAT Tradicionàrius continues to lead the way in traditional music and dance as a living heritage and powerful driver of social, educational and artistic transformation in southern Europe and the Mediterranean.