Violeta Dávila deeply admires her father, has rediscovered the enjoyment of self-care and feels a visceral fascination with culture. From her first, her vocation for law was born. The second is a consequence of her relationship with Laconicum (we don't say it, she tells it). And from the third was born Cooltural Plans , the materialization of her need to create something related to cultural management
It all started eight or nine years ago, when she had a reading club that began to gain followers, to bring writers, to gain more followers. So many that they began to think that there was a space to create something professional, but with the same philosophy of cultural revolution. Today, seven years later, Cooltural Plans is a communication and cultural management agency, but it is still a meeting place, like that reading club . And Violeta continues devouring books with the Bibliothèque candle by BYREDO lit in the corner.
We spoke with Violeta Dávila, co-founder of Cooltural Plans
What is Cooltural Plans?
It is our particular way of living culture. To interact with her. To enjoy it and spread it.
You talk about interaction, about living culture... But you also talk about revolution. How to revolutionize the way of living culture?
When we started Cooltural Plans, 7 years ago we found the cultural offer somewhat exclusive, either because it was developed in very sectorized or official areas, or very alternative. We wanted to attract an audience that did not usually consume this type of cultural products, but not because of a lack of desire, but because they could not find their space. We try to make culture more accessible in some way. And for this our purpose was always to make people enjoy the actions we propose. But always with rigor. Looking for content that contributes, that enriches. Culture is not at odds with fun.
"We wanted to attract an audience that did not usually consume this type of cultural products, but not for lack of desire, but for not finding their space."
Betting on culture in the era of quantitative, controversy and lack of support for the sector. How do you swim against the current?
Culture is a difficult sector. Precarious and undervalued. It does not have the resources or support that other countries like France have, which appreciates its culture as a national symbol. We believed that after the confinement we suffered and the hardest times of the pandemic, the indisputable role that culture plays would become evident. We'll see...
Despite everything, we love what we do. It is difficult for us to avoid the vocational element in everything we do. It makes us happy. And we would like to think that, on some occasions, we have provided the necessary tools to educate the gaze in the different cultural areas that we touch.
To this swimming against the current is added another obstacle, the one you mentioned before of a feeling of remoteness, disconnection and sectorization of cultural events. It is clear that having beers and being able to go with friends to a nice place already makes the event attractive. But in what other ways does Cooltural Plans change this perspective on cultural encounters?
Our initial philosophy was to take culture out of its usual context to bring it closer to the people. Over time, we have identified what makes one enjoy a cultural event more or less. Of course, combining gastronomy with culture is something that helps, and multiplies enjoyment. In the Cooltural Plans the key is to bring the main character closer, to show him naturally and without platforms.
Our initial philosophy was to take culture out of its usual context to bring it closer to the people.
Put in that fun part without ignoring the depth that people like Soledad Lorenzo, Edurne Portela or Borja Semper deserve. How do both things come together in your encounters?
We (Patricia, Cristina, my partners, and I) are our first audience. We seek to produce in our meetings, or in the actions that we are commissioned by (companies, institutions...), what we find interesting and in the way in which we find attractive. Normally, even if we have top-level protagonists, we always laugh during the talk and feel relaxed, that way I believe that what we hear produces a deeper and lasting impact. In the end what we offer is a door open, inviting us to continue going deeper.
Very diverse people come to your events. Who is the person you most wanted to have in Cooltural Plans and sat with you? And who escapes you?
To be honest, I couldn't tell you which one, because all the people we invite to participate in a Cooltural Plan, or those we contact for any other type of action, are people we admire. As for someone who escapes us... We would love for them to star in one of our meetings: David Trueba, Elvira Lindo, Eduardo Mendoza or Ana Iris Simón... We will keep trying.
In an interview, Violeta, you said: “Culture gives me comfort. "Vital consolation." Without wanting to frivolize, we know that you are also a fan of Laconicum and we want to think that self-care also gives comfort or, at least, well-being. In what way is Laconicum part of your life and gives that comfort or well-being?
I had never consumed so much cosmetics until I discovered Laconicum. For me it is much more than an e-commerce, I feel a deep alignment with the philosophy of Laconicum, and its commitment to sustainability (not using plastics, recyclable packaging, deliveries with bicycle messengers...). For me it is very important to feel that identification with the values of a company. But not only that.
I have complete confidence in the selection of products and brands they choose, and in the girls Laconicum (Anabel and Maria, and the rest of the team) as prescribers. In this era in which most digital platforms have automated customer service with bots, Laconicum goes against the grain with the cosmetic advice they provide. I also love the texts that accompany the products, they are great.
In this way, and answering your question, consuming Laconicum in a conscious way has become something aspirational.I enjoy self-care, and investing in my well-being, more than buying a bag or shoes. It's much more worthwhile for me.
Any one that pairs well with a Cooltural book?
I love the candles from BYREDO, the one from Bybliotéque. And those from Mint and Rose, like Siesta.
Find a quiet and cozy corner of the house, light a candle, make yourself some tea or pour yourself a glass of wine, and abandon yourself to pleasure or pleasures, book in hand. Right now I'm reading Stations of Return (Circulo de Tiza) by Jacobo Bergareche.
Tell us your laconic selection, products that you like and enjoy.
It's a pretty wide selection. I have a cosmetic trinity: retinol at night, vitamin C in the morning and sunscreen. I have become addicted to Lumilixir. I notice its effect so much that when it runs out I get nervous if I have to be on the waiting list. Also to the Benamôr hand creams, the one from Rose Amélie is a delight. From Gallinée I just bought, on the recommendation of Maria Martínez, the scalp serum, because with stress I suffer from flaking and itching, and it's feeling great for me. And there is not a day, whether I go outside or not, that I do not perfume myself with Puro Fico from
Other products that I also consume, and that I recommend in the same way as when I really like a book, are the anti-pollution cream from
The selection of Violeta Dávila, co-founder of Cooltural Plans
