An evening of music, humanity and hope
On June 3rd, we experienced one of those evenings that leave a lasting impression. Hotel Continental Palacete had the privilege of welcoming the Dona Gospel Choir for the second time as part of our Intimate Sessions cultural programme, and once again, the experience exceeded all expectations.
Guests, friends and family members filled the hotel’s Centennial Hall to enjoy a performance that was much more than a concert. It was an encounter filled with emotion, humanity, joy and recognition for a group of women who, through music, share their voices, stories and remarkable resilience with the world.
The warm response from the audience once again confirmed the affection and admiration this unique project inspires.
A choir that transforms lives
Dona Gospel is a project promoted by El Lloc de la Dona, a social organisation managed by the Oblate Sisters. The congregation arrived in Barcelona in 1898 and established itself in the Raval neighbourhood in 1984, where it continues to carry out valuable social work today.
For many years, the organisation has supported women facing situations of social vulnerability and exclusion. Its mission focuses on fostering women’s personal development and autonomy while also raising awareness and promoting a more just and inclusive society.
To achieve this, the organisation provides personalised social support, health and emotional assistance, vocational training, career guidance and support throughout the employment integration process. All of these services aim to create new opportunities, strengthen self-esteem and help women build more independent and dignified futures.
Dona Gospel is part of this journey: a space where music becomes a powerful tool for empowerment, self-expression and personal growth.
A musical journey around the world
Throughout the concert, the choir performed songs originating from different continents, taking the audience on a meaningful musical journey across cultures and traditions.
The repertoire included iconic pieces such as “Amazing Grace”, “La vida es un carnaval” by Celia Cruz and the moving “Canción sin miedo” by Vivir Quintana, which has become an international anthem against gender-based violence and femicide.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came when the choir’s director, Núria Guasch Coll, shared the story behind “Amazing Grace”. The song was written in 1772 by John Newton, a British sailor who had once participated in the transatlantic slave trade. After a profound personal transformation, Newton abandoned that life and became a supporter of the abolitionist movement in England. Over time, “Amazing Grace” became one of the most widely performed hymns in the world and a symbol of hope, redemption and human dignity.
An engaged and enthusiastic audience
From the very first songs, the connection between the choir and the audience was undeniable.
Applause and rhythmic clapping accompanied many of the performances and, as the evening progressed, the emotion in the room continued to grow until many attendees ended up dancing alongside the singers, transforming the Centennial Hall into a space filled with joy, connection and celebration.
After the concert, many guests shared their impressions with us. Some of the comments we heard most often were: “So moving”; “What humanity they convey”; “Their eyes speak volumes”; “You can tell they sing from the heart”; “Their joy is contagious”.
Beyond the musical quality of the performance, what truly captivated the audience was the authenticity, emotion and positive energy that the choir members brought to every song.
A message that deeply touched us
A few days after the concert, we received these words from Núria Guasch Coll, director of Dona Gospel, which we would like to share because of their beauty and significance:
“It is difficult to find words to thank you for your warm welcome, your sensitivity and all the thoughtful details you had for each and every one of us who were at the hotel on Wednesday.
I am certain that the experience we shared has created a meaningful memory for all of us. For women who are so often made invisible and silenced to have the opportunity to occupy such a special space as the hotel, to express themselves, to be heard and to be recognised, was truly a gift. Their smiles and their eyes reflected pride and joy.
We would be delighted to return after the summer.”
Núria Guasch Coll, Director of Dona Gospel
Her words perfectly reflect the spirit of this initiative and remind us of the importance of creating spaces where everyone can feel valued, heard and recognised.
Giving a voice to projects that deserve to be heard
At Hotel Continental, we strive to make the most of the opportunities our activity provides to give visibility to projects, initiatives and people who contribute positively to society and help improve the lives of individuals experiencing social vulnerability.
This is precisely the purpose of our Intimate Sessions: to create close and meaningful encounters where culture, talent and human stories can connect with people in an authentic way.
For this reason, we are especially proud to have welcomed Dona Gospel once again. Not only because of the artistic quality of the performance, but also because of the positive social impact it generates.
We hope this article will also encourage other hotels, companies, auditoriums and cultural venues to hire this choir. Every performance contributes to the empowerment of the women who participate in the project, helps ensure its economic sustainability and enables El Lloc de la Dona to continue and expand its work supporting women who need guidance and opportunities to build a better future.
Because when music moves, inspires and transforms lives, applause takes on a much deeper meaning.
