Svetlana: “It is paradise, for nature and the source of disconnection it represents”

The existence of the Centre d’Art i Natura (CAN) in Farrera is one of the reasons why Júlia Díaz and Roc Bernadí, members of the electropop group queer Svetlana, choose Farrera, in Pallars Sobirà, as their favorite place in Catalonia: “It is paradise, for nature, for the source of disconnection it represents, and for all the work we have done here”. In Farrera they have composed their debut album, Marrana, and other singles like Toi pegao, the result of the three residencies they have done there in the last two and a half years. When they started writing songs seriously, they decided to go there: “It’s a huge disconnection. When you pass Sort and take the turn-off, it feels like you are entering another world. You go up the mountain and leave your daily life behind.” They assure that Farrera and an environment like Vall Ferrera are fantasy, and the walks have been a great source of inspiration for them: “On the path from Farrera to Alendo, where only three people live, many songs have come out.” They explain that Albert Baldomà, director of CAN, and his entire team, have always helped them a lot. At CAN, artistic and scientific residencies are held, “singers, writers, Catalan language scholars, or butterfly experts coincide”. They are convinced that this cultural, artistic, and scientific cultivation is very enriching. Each person has their own space where they create, research, and focus on their work, and in the evening they meet to have dinner together and share their universes. “While we were composing Sarnalona, three retired professors were elaborating a dictionary. In addition, looking out those windows is impressive, you have an incredible panoramic view of the Alt Pirineu”, they recall.  They have stayed in residences for less time than they would have liked, four or five days, but they try to make the most of their stays, considering that the journey from Barcelona involves many hours on the road. They also had the privilege of participating in the Saó Festival, which features residents from different countries and disciplines, "from music to dance, plastic arts... a bit of everything, it's the culmination of the year, a meeting point for those of us who have been residents". “We want to return, it's a really special place for us, where we've created beautiful things,” they say enthusiastically. And now that they are preparing the next album, which will be released in early 2027, they believe it could be a good time. They announce that it will be an album of contrasts and contradictions, which will be presented in a unique and special show on March 13 at the Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona.