OUR STORY |
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2022: The birth of La Mansarda
La Mansarda was born from the idea of bringing people together through art, rooted in the belief that art unites communities and can be a powerful tool for humanitarian causes. The project hosted its first multidisciplinary events in Dublin, in collaboration with People in Cooperation (PIC). These events were free to attend, with donations distributed equally among the artists and the cause.
From its inception, La Mansarda committed to being a non-profit organization, generating no personal income from events. The foundations were laid to pledge annual support for a humanitarian organization working in conflict zones.
The year ended with a milestone event at The Cobblestone, featuring an incredible line-up, raffles, and an energetic community that celebrated the night with Ligia’s famous tiramisu, as beautifully described by Anna Deichmann on our blog.
With 800 euros raised for PIC, La Mansarda set a lasting precedent for creativity, community, and shared impact.
From its inception, La Mansarda committed to being a non-profit organization, generating no personal income from events. The foundations were laid to pledge annual support for a humanitarian organization working in conflict zones.
The year ended with a milestone event at The Cobblestone, featuring an incredible line-up, raffles, and an energetic community that celebrated the night with Ligia’s famous tiramisu, as beautifully described by Anna Deichmann on our blog.
With 800 euros raised for PIC, La Mansarda set a lasting precedent for creativity, community, and shared impact.
2023: Expanding Horizons
With growing momentum, La Mansarda expanded its reach in Dublin and, for the first time, ventured to London in collaboration with Marta Carpinelli. The focus for the year shifted to supporting UNICEF, aligning event themes and content with their mission. To ensure fair artist compensation and consistent funding for UNICEF, events transitioned to a ticketed model.
Cross-city collaboration became a key pillar: artists traveled with La Mansarda to foster cultural exchange, including Seamus Bradley - "New Data Scientist"- Dublin-based spoken word artist and songwriter Robbie Raidan performing in London along with an Italian duo from Rome Enrico Desantis and Federico Restino. A highlight of the year was the first festival held at Smock Alley Theatre, featuring local artists and also Portuguese fashion designer Simon Fadista, who showcased recycled denim creations.
By the end of the year, 1,378 euros were donated to UNICEF, culminating in another memorable event at The Cobblestone—complete with tiramisu and a spirit of collective celebration.
Cross-city collaboration became a key pillar: artists traveled with La Mansarda to foster cultural exchange, including Seamus Bradley - "New Data Scientist"- Dublin-based spoken word artist and songwriter Robbie Raidan performing in London along with an Italian duo from Rome Enrico Desantis and Federico Restino. A highlight of the year was the first festival held at Smock Alley Theatre, featuring local artists and also Portuguese fashion designer Simon Fadista, who showcased recycled denim creations.
By the end of the year, 1,378 euros were donated to UNICEF, culminating in another memorable event at The Cobblestone—complete with tiramisu and a spirit of collective celebration.
2024: New Challenges, New Connections
Continuing its commitment to humanitarian causes, La Mansarda partnered with Emergency NGO for the year. The project embraced the challenge of introducing Emergency to the Dublin community, hosting four major events in the city and expanding its reach to Bologna, Valencia, and London.
The year began with a sold-out event at La Pausa Café in Dublin, marking a strong start to "The Journey" of La Mansarda. This momentum carried through to the second festival at Smock Alley Theatre, which also sold out, and culminated in the sold-out closing event at The Cobblestone. For the first time, La Mansarda celebrated three consecutive sold-out events in one year.
In addition, La Mansarda upheld its tradition of cultural exchange by supporting artists to travel and perform in different cities. This year saw the cellist and singer Matilde Motti - "Joy" - journey from Dublin to Valencia, the singer-songwriter RVE from Dublin to Bologna, and a newly formed theatre-music company Nous from Naples to Dublin.
With a focus on accessibility, events remained affordably priced while the project sought its first sponsorships and external funding. Support came from IMRO, the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin, and media collaborations with Radio Dublino, Starfish magazine, and A Life in Dublin podcast, which amplified the voices of artists and the mission of Emergency. By year’s end, La Mansarda raised over 2,000 euros for Emergency, cementing its reputation as a bridge between art, community, and humanitarian impact.
The year began with a sold-out event at La Pausa Café in Dublin, marking a strong start to "The Journey" of La Mansarda. This momentum carried through to the second festival at Smock Alley Theatre, which also sold out, and culminated in the sold-out closing event at The Cobblestone. For the first time, La Mansarda celebrated three consecutive sold-out events in one year.
In addition, La Mansarda upheld its tradition of cultural exchange by supporting artists to travel and perform in different cities. This year saw the cellist and singer Matilde Motti - "Joy" - journey from Dublin to Valencia, the singer-songwriter RVE from Dublin to Bologna, and a newly formed theatre-music company Nous from Naples to Dublin.
With a focus on accessibility, events remained affordably priced while the project sought its first sponsorships and external funding. Support came from IMRO, the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin, and media collaborations with Radio Dublino, Starfish magazine, and A Life in Dublin podcast, which amplified the voices of artists and the mission of Emergency. By year’s end, La Mansarda raised over 2,000 euros for Emergency, cementing its reputation as a bridge between art, community, and humanitarian impact.
"This is such a wonderful initiative—you don’t see projects like this in Dublin." [O. Graham]
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OUR VALUES |
At La Mansarda, we are guided by values that shape our mission and community:
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Interpersonal and Intercultural Respect: Celebrating diversity and fostering meaningful connections across cultures.
Equality and Sharing: Ensuring equal opportunities for artists to showcase their work and share their stories.
Freedom of Expression: Encouraging artists to explore and express their creativity without judgment.
Open-Mindedness: Embracing new ideas, perspectives, and artistic forms with curiosity and enthusiasm.
Empathy and Community: Building a network of mutual support, understanding, and care that uplifts artists and humanitarian causes alike.
Inclusivity and Support: Creating a welcoming and safe space where artists of all backgrounds can express themselves freely.
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"La Mansarda is not just a project—it is a platform where art becomes a language of unity, a bridge between individuals, communities, and shared values." [L. Verissimo]
OUR OBJECTIVES |
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La Mansarda’s vision goes beyond offering a stage for artists; it strives to build a meaningful connection between art and humanity. Our events aim to inspire local communities, raising awareness of important societal issues while providing a platform for artists to thrive. The proceeds from our events are thoughtfully shared to support both the participating artists and humanitarian causes that align with our mission.
Looking ahead, La Mansarda is committed to creating a European network that fosters collaboration across borders, opening doors for artists to showcase their work internationally. By bridging cultures and encouraging artistic exchange, we aim to amplify the power of art as a unifying language that brings people together for a common purpose.
"This project carries a goodness within it – it’s something beautiful to share with others." [K. Kelly]
Our official Manifesto |
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Our manifesto reveals how La Mansarda transforms art into a powerful catalyst for connection, understanding, and collective empowerment. Explore it to see how creativity becomes the bridge that unites us all.
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Embrace the fusion of art and humanity, and join us in cultivating a space that celebrates diversity, fosters connection, and makes a positive impact on the world.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi
