The People in Red gala raises 815,000 euros against infectious diseases

More than 750 people gathered at the MNAC for the People in Red Gala to combat infectious diseases. Among them, personalities from the economic, social, and cultural spheres attended, including celebrities and influencers. The event managed to raise 815,040 euros for research to tackle these types of diseases through the Fight Against Infections Foundation, chaired by Bonaventura Clotet.

The charity gala, presented by Andreu Buenafuente and Llum Barrera, saw artists such as Joan Manuel Serrat, Miki Nuñez, Suu Ventura, Natalia Sánchez, Eric Masip, Santi Vaca, and siblings Marc and Aina Clotet, both children of the event's promoter, parade. Athletes like Marc-André Ter Stegen, Marc Bartra, Jordi Villacampa, and Àlex Corretja also attended the event, as did journalists like Jordi Basté, Marc Giró, Santi Villas, and Gerard Romero. With influencers like Dulceida, Marta Díaz, and Jessica Goicoechea, the gathering also featured the presence of prominent figures from the business world, such as John Hoffman, the CEO of GSMA of the MWC; Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Seat and Cupra, and Emilio Rousaud, founder and CEO of Factor Energia, at an event also attended by the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, and former mayor Xavier Trias.

Attendees came to the gala with the fight against infectious diseases as a backdrop. These diseases are responsible for 35% of deaths worldwide, as well as the leading cause of infant and youth mortality. Severe bacterial infections, HIV, Covid, sexually transmitted infections, and those occurring in immunocompromised patients are some of the diseases the gala aims to raise awareness about. The fundraising, directed to the foundation and the IrisCaixa Research Institute, is intended to strengthen projects to tackle these infectious diseases.

"In the current context, where we know what it means to face a global pandemic, our research has acquired even greater importance," proclaimed Bonaventura Clotet. The host and also director of IrisCaixa guaranteed his commitment to "use all resources and knowledge to identify treatments that can cover possible new pandemics that appear in the future."

The event had its musical highlight with the performance of Rozalén and a surprise appearance by Stay Homas, who became known precisely during the pandemic lockdown. Before a dinner served by Michelin-starred chef Nandu Jubany, La Fura dels Baus built a monumental human net 30 meters high with 40 actors from the Institut del Teatre. The actors recreated aerial shapes and figures hanging from ropes from a large metal beam. With Barcelona in the background and synchronized movements, they surprised the attendees of a gala that, in its 14th edition, reaffirms itself as a meeting point for celebrities and prominent figures to propel research against infectious diseases.