Violeta Dávila deeply admires his father, She has rediscovered the joy of self-care and has a visceral fascination with culture. The former led to her calling for law. The latter is a consequence of her relationship with Laconicum (We don't say it, she tells it). And from the third thing was born Cooltural Plans, the materialization of his need to create something related to the cultural management.
It all started eight or nine years ago, when I had a reading club that began to gain followers, bringing writers, to gain more followers. So many that they began to think there was a space there to create something professional, but with the same philosophy of cultural revolution. Today, seven years later, Cooltural Plans is a communications and cultural management agency, but it remains a meeting place, like that reading club.
We spoke with Violeta Dávila, co-founder of Cooltural Plans
What is Cooltural Plans?
It's our unique way of experiencing culture. Of interacting with it. Of enjoying it and spreading it.
You talk about interaction, about experiencing culture... But you also talk about revolution. How do you revolutionize the way we experience culture?
When we started Cooltural Plans, seven years ago, we found the cultural offerings somewhat exclusive, either because they were developed in highly specialized or official settings, or because they were very alternative. We wanted to attract an audience that didn't usually consume this type of cultural product, not because they weren't interested, but because they couldn't find a space for it. We try to make culture more accessible in some way. And to achieve this, our goal has always been to make people enjoy the activities we propose.. But always with rigor. Seeking content that contributes and enriches. Culture and fun are not mutually exclusive.
"We wanted to attract an audience that didn't usually consume this type of cultural product, not because they didn't want to, but because they couldn't find their niche."
Investing in culture in an era of quantitative analysis, controversy, and a lack of support for the sector. How do you swim against the tide?
Culture is a difficult sector. Precarious and undervalued. It doesn't have the resources or support enjoyed by other countries like France, which values its culture as a national symbol. We believed that after the lockdown we suffered and the toughest periods of the pandemic, the indisputable role that culture plays would become evident. We'll see...
Despite everything, we love what we do. It's hard for us to ignore the vocation that lies within everything we do. It makes us happy. And we'd like to think that, on some occasions, we've provided the necessary tools to educate our perspective in the various cultural spheres we touch.
Added to this swimming against the current is another obstacle, the one you mentioned before about a feeling of distance, disconnection and sectorization of cultural events. It's clear that providing beers and being able to go to a nice place with friends already makes the event attractive. But in what other ways does Cooltural Plans change this perspective on cultural gatherings?
Our initial philosophy was to take culture out of its usual context to bring it closer to people. Over time, we've identified what makes a cultural event more or less enjoyable. Combining gastronomy with culture is certainly helpful and increases the enjoyment. In Cooltural Plans the key is to bring the main character closer, showing him/her naturally and without platforms.
Our initial philosophy was to take culture out of its usual context to bring it closer to the people.
Adding that fun part without overlooking the depth that people like Soledad Lorenzo, Edurne Portela or Borja Semper deserve. How do you Do you combine both things in your meetings?
Us We (Patricia, Cristina, my partners, and I) are our first audience. We seek to produce, at our meetings or in the actions we are commissioned to do (by companies, institutions, etc.), what we find interesting, in a way that we find attractive. Normally, even when we have top-level speakers, we always laugh and feel relaxed during the talk. I think that's how what we hear has a deeper and more lasting impact. In the end, what we offer is an open door that invites you to go deeper.
A wide variety of people attend your events. Who is the person you most wanted to have at Cooltural Plans who sat with you? And who is the one you missed?
To be honest, I couldn't tell you which one, because all the people we invite to participate in a Cooltural Plan, or whom we contact for any other type of event, are people we admire. As for anyone we might have missed... We'd love to have them star in one of our events: David Trueba, Elvira Lindo, Eduardo Mendoza, or Ana Iris Simón... We'll keep trying.
In an interview, Violeta, you said, “Culture gives me comfort. Vital comfort.” Without meaning to be trivial, we know you're also a fan of Laconicum, and we want to believe that self-care also provides comfort, or at least well-being. How is Laconicum part of your life and provides 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 Laconicum's philosophy, and its commitment to sustainability. (no plastics, recyclable packaging, bike courier deliveries, etc.). It's very important for me to identify with a company's values. 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 an era where most digital platforms have automated customer service with bots, Laconicum is going 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 consciously has become something aspirational. I enjoy self-care more, and investing in my well-being., than buying a bag or some shoes.It's much more worth it for me.
Any that pair well with a Cooltural book?
I love candles.
Find a quiet, cozy corner of your home, light a candle, make some tea or pour a glass of wine, and surrender to pleasure or pleasures, book in hand. Right now, I'm reading Estaciones de regreso (Estaciones de regreso, Seasons of Return) by Jacobo Bergareche.
Tell us your concise selection, products you like and enjoy.
It's a pretty wide selection. I have a cosmetic trinity: retinol at night, vitamin C in the morning and sunscreenI have become addicted to LumilixirI notice its effect so much that when I run out, I get nervous if I have to be on the waiting list. Of Gallinée I just bought, on the recommendation of María Martínez, the scalp serum, because with stress I suffer from flaking and itching, and it's doing me great. And there is no day, whether I go out or not, that I do not perfume myself with Pure Fico of Officina delle Essenze, is part of my hedonistic ritual.
Other products that I also consume, and that I recommend in the same way as when I really like a book, are The Impossible Glow of Pai Skincare (if I had known about it before, I would have saved myself a lot of sun abuse) and the Volcanic Exfoliator from BioeffectAnd I won't go on, because it'll seem like I own shares in Laconicum (I wish...hahaha).
