Barcelona hosts its first major ‘therian’ gathering at Arc del Triomf this Saturday

This Saturday, the “therian” phenomenon jumps from TikTok to the streets of Barcelona. Young people who identify with animals will gather at Arc del Triomf at 18:30. The event promises curiosity and expectation in the very centre.

This weekend, Barcelona will be the setting for one of the year's most unusual urban gatherings. The “therian” movement, made up of young people who identify and behave as non-human animals, has ceased to be only a digital trend and is taking over emblematic spaces in the city. The event, called for this Saturday at 18:30 at Arc del Triomf, has generated expectation among teenagers and curious people who follow the phenomenon on social media.

In recent days, the call has circulated intensively on TikTok, where “therianы” share videos in which they appear with animal masks, tails or costumes, imitating the movements and sounds of wolves, cats, foxes or snakes. Although most prefer to remain anonymous, some dare to go out into the street with their accessories, attracting the attention of those walking through central Barcelona.

The trend, which has already made an impact in Latin American cities, is beginning to become established in Spain. This week, Girona and Bilbao have witnessed the first meet-ups, although in Barcelona the group remains small. Most attendees are teenagers who, beyond animal identification, seek to share experiences and record content for their social media.

One of the few veteran members of the community in Barcelona, a 17-year-old from Sant Feliu de Llobregat, acknowledges that visibility remains low in the city. He explains that although he uses a mask, ears and a white tail when going out, he rarely dares to move on all fours in public. For him, the connection with his chosen animal is an essential part of his identity, and practising animal movements helps him improve his agility and balance, although he usually reserves it for the privacy of his home.

This Saturday's event at Arc del Triomf will serve as a meeting point both for members of the community and for those curious about this phenomenon. The gathering is expected to attract many young people and observers, in an atmosphere where the boundary between the virtual and the real is becoming increasingly blurred in Barcelona's urban life.

Arc del Triomf, one of Barcelona's busiest and most symbolic spaces, has become a regular point for youth gatherings and alternative cultural expressions. Its central location and spaciousness make it ideal for spontaneous calls and events seeking visibility. In recent years, the promenade that connects the monument with Ciutadella Park has witnessed social movements, festivals and gatherings that reflect the diversity and changing pulse of the city.