A utopia in space. This is the motto used by the Hala Bedi communication project in Vitoria-Gasteiz for its 35th anniversary. When they had the idea of radio in 1983 and put it into operation, few would have thought that in 2018, despite the obstacles, there would be such strength. And that’s what the first Gala Bedia was meant to represent on May 18 at the Jimmy Jazz Hall. It was a gala and awards ceremony where they wanted to make visible different expressions of the popular movement and make it a meeting place for everyone, otherwise organized by the media that is also a meeting place for many movements. Four awards were given there, full of humor, music and proclamations.

The first was the Halabedites Prize. With this, they wanted to thank Halabelar or the radio partners who support the communication project. On the board, the smallest of the radio: Alai Bedi from the children's radio show. Thanks were given to the feminist movement, the association Pensionistas en Trabajo, the Youth Centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, and they themselves thanked the collaboration in communication. They also wanted to thank their individual partners by uploading their last partner to the stage.

In succession, and with the singing of the friends of the irrepressible session of Bertxo, the GES youth emancipation network was awarded the People Alive Award. This was to reward his work throughout the year, since it is not to be underestimated what this new group has done this year: several houses that were abandoned in the old town have been occupied and converted into residences. They also wanted to give the prize to the lawyer who has accompanied them in the Ika mika that they have had with the City Council and give them the keys to a house.

Third, the radio program of the performing arts Kakatzarra awarded the Utopia Prize to the Factory of Actions of Ayala: from the media, they have jumped to a comprehensive cooperative community project based on the Basque language. They took the prize with surprise and declared: “Our utopia is the Basque people and we want to look for the Basque Country.”

The last one was the Hala Mierda Award. With that name, it doesn't take much explanation to figure out what kind of reward it was, does it? The Vitoria-Gasteiz Local Police and the Delinkencia Exterior Association. A montage by Hala Video explained the reason for the awards: the one by the local police was quite clear and the one by the association for the Vitoria-Gasteiz, who are well known for what they have done to prevent a gypsy family from living in the Astegieta neighbourhood.

The musical stages that took place between awards and prizes included the participation of Nacimiento Kantaktriz and Ziakhus, as well as Miren Rico with a poetry reading.

After all, Hala Bedi himself wanted to thank the popular movement for years of support and these graces were given back to him. Before the “Chef” invited everyone to eat, the event ended with the following phrase: “Ara comença el Mambo!” Before that, I’m sorry, but I won’t tell you. Next time, come on.

Here is the gallery of photos taken by Hala Click at the gala: