VENUES

The islands of San Simón and San Antonio are landmarks located at the end of the Vigo estuary, due to its strategic location they are related to the most important episodes and personalities of the Galician history.

Documents of the XIX century give proof of the existence of a convent present on the island since the V century, although it is not until the XII century when there is definite confirmation of the existence of a monastery set up by the Order of the Temple. The religious importance of the island continued during the Middle Ages, the troubadour Mendiño immortalised the chapel in the following way: “Sedíame eu na ermida de san Simón / e cercáronmi as ondas, que grandes son...”

The peace granted to the island by the monastic life would come to an end in 1589 with the arrival of Francis Drake who, after the siege of A Coruña, ransacked and burnt the convent of San Simón, which will remain in ruins for seven years. In 1598, the Benedictine monks of Poio return to the island during the Plague. In 1601, the Franciscans reconstruct the convent which will then be used as a centre of Novitiate.

In 1702, the islands find themselves involved in what was probably the most important historical episode ever to have taken place in the Vigo estuary: the battle of Rande, which Jules Verne mentions in his novel 20.000 leagues under the sea. In 1719, there is another English attack by the Admiral Michelle, threatening once again the monks. Once again, the lack of safety causes another withdrawal from the island until 1830, with the possible visit of the Napoleonic troops during the War of Independence.

After nearly a century of desertion the islands reappear in Galician history as a leper hospital, due to the spread of diseases and the high level of mortality that they caused. Until its closure in 1927, it continued to operate as a centre of prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases, but also as a resting place and for holding public celebrations. Then, the island saw projects such as the construction of the first airfield for seaplanes in Spain and an orphanage; but the start of the Spanish Civil War will give another turn to the history of the island, which will convert it into a prison colony from 1939 to 1944 (the prison will go through a difficult period with executions and tortures followed by a certain softening of the regime allowing to keep evidence of this prison).

Afterwards, the islands became the summer residence of Franco’s Guard, until forty-three members of the latter are drowned close to the island in August 1950 due to their ship being capsized on their way to Redondela. This incident hastened the closure of the residence and the desertion of the island, which was used once again for the establishment of Méndez Núñez’s home for the training of Orphans of Sailors between the years 1955 and 1963.

Since then several projects have followed suit: Marina, Restored Building converted into luxury hotel (Parador), etc. In 1991, the bridge that joins the islands of San Simón and San Antonio is included in the monumental catalogue of the province of Pontevedra and in 1999 the islands are declared as being a property of cultural interest with the category of historical site. As of 1998, and with the project of the architect César Portela, works are initiated to renovate and revamp the islands.

Plenary room

In the plenary room, the opening ceremony of mov-s Galicia 08 will take place. This room has a capacity for approximately 235 persons. It will also be the room for other activities such as the discussion tables or the testimonials of artists.

Group Rooms

On entering the island, to the right of the building the working groups of mov-s Galicia 08 can be found. The speeches will take place in three rooms with a capacity for 40 persons in each one of them.

Information point

The island will have a permanent information point where one will be able to find all detailed information regarding mov-s Galicia 08. In the same building, on each side of the permanent information point there are two rooms equipped with audiovisual material in order to view works. The room, with a capacity of approximately 30 persons, will be available free for works, meetings or contacts between professionals present.

Cafeteria & restaurant

The island will dispose of a cafeteria and restaurant. The price of the menu will be 15 €.

Main Theatre of Pontevedra

Rua Paio Gómez Charino S/N
36002 Pontevedraç

The main Theatre will be where the welcome reception of the -s Galicia 08 will take place on 15th June 2008 at 7.00 p.m., and will also be the venue for the presentation of two of the artistic proposals of mov-s Galicia 08:

• On the 15th June at 8.00 p.m. the show “Cascuda de Diego Anido” will be presented, followed by a welcome cocktail
• On Monday 16th June at 8.00 p.m. The show “30000” by the company Pisando Ovos will be presented.

The Main Theatre is located in the centre of the city, right in the middle of the historical centre of Pontevedra, allowing for a social and cultural integration which is not always the case.
The building has five floors and two basements. The theatre has a capacity for 434 persons.

Auditorio do Pazo da Cultura de Pontevedra

Rúa Alexandre Bóveda, s/n
36005 Pontevedra

In the auditórium do O Pazo da cultura there will be a presentation of the show of the GCC Kiosko das Almas perdidas, on Monday 16th June at 10.30 pm.

O Pazo da Cultura is located in the North-West of the city, in the Alexandre Bóveda Street, not more than five minutes from the city centre. It was set up as a group of buildings that are divided into different volumes to respond to its varied cultural program so that they can be used as a group, simultaneously or independently. The auditorium is the central part of the building and has a capacity for 772 persons.

Casa dás Campas

In the conference room of A Casa das Campas, neighbouring building (very close) to the Main Theatre right in the historical town centre of Pontevedra, the plenary table regarding the conclusions of the mov-s Galicia 08, will take place on Wednesday 18th June at 10.00 a.m.

A Casa das Campás is a building that belongs to the University of Vigo, it houses the offices of the Assistant Dean of the Pontevedra Campus, and also disposes of a Conference room and several multipurpose rooms in which the university schedules, on a regular basis, exhibitions and cultural activities in the field of artistic productions, visual arts and audiovisuals. Activities in which the citizens and the university mix in knowledge, culture and the synergy of daily vicissitudes.

Cidade da Cultura

On the 18th, after the closure of Mov’s Galicia 2008, a visit will be made to this cultural building and the architect Antonio Maroño will act as a guide.

This cultural complex designed by Peter Eisenman is conceived as an infrastructure for the benefit of Galician culture, based on the revision of the needs and complementary aspect of the existing cultural centres. Its aim is to convert itself into the centre axis of cultural services in Galicia, as a vehicle of relation and promotion and promoter of culture in Galicia and active in its economic development. The project focuses on the following centres: National Archive of Galicia, Newspaper Library, Workshop-resource centre for artistic, visual and musical productions; Centre of investigation of heritage; Museum of the History of Galicia, Centre of International Art-Children’s Museum.

The transfers between Pontevedra and the island of San Simón will be at the expense of the organisation. A bus will pick up the assistants close to the hotel (Plaza de Galicia) and transfer them to the pier.