In a city that vibrates with a thousand accents and flavors, there are events that not only fill the stomach, but ignite the soul. Ember and Fire Festival Barcelona 2025 is one of them. What began as a barbecue among friends has become a cultural phenomenon that brings together hundreds of people around the grill, music, and Argentine identity. And behind this flame is Adrian Schvartz, the tireless soul who turned a passion into a collective ritual.
From the barbecues in Trinitat Vella Park, this festival has achieved something few can: bringing together families, artists, entrepreneurs, and the curious in an authentic, flavorful, and deeply emotional celebration. In this interview, Adrián tells us how the project began, what it means to him to cook for an entire community, and what he's planning for the next edition.
Follow him on Instagram so you don't miss a thing: @brasayfuego…And get ready, because the fire is rekindled.
How did the idea for Brasa y Fuego in Barcelona come about, Adrián? It was born from the desire to share with friends and many others everything I used to do on my terrace. Gatherings of 20 or 30 people where the barbecue was the centerpiece, but in the end, it was just an excuse to get together and share.
The way I created it was by creating the Instagram account Brasayfuego, where I only showed recipes. From the beginning, the account began to grow, and when it reached 40.000 followers, I said to myself... Why not transform this beautiful thing—a barbecue, a gathering—into something bigger?
And my desire to pursue what I was passionate about led me to take the plunge and hold my first festival, which took place in 2021, just after the pandemic. Like all beginnings, it wasn't easy. I studied the mistakes I made, and so it has been to this day, where each festival is better than the last. For me, it's not a job. It's a wonderful way to earn a living doing what I love, and I enjoy every moment of it.
What does fire mean to you as a cultural element? Something hypnotic, calling for unity and where all bad things are excluded. It means sharing, and historically I think it's the same thing. Perhaps in ancient history it was a tool. Today it remains a cooking method, but it's also transformed into a tool for unity. Fire unites us, and a good barbecue completes that.
What challenges did you face when organizing the first barbecue festival in Spain? Above all, I faced the challenge of my inexperience, not in the culinary field, because cooking was a part of my life at all levels, but in the organizational aspect. But everything in life is a learning process. Never give up or give in, and always learn from your mistakes…
How has the event evolved since its first edition? The main improvement is the attention we give attendees at all levels, both in the gastronomic aspect and in the agility and speed of service, which is essential for any event. And also in the entertainment aspect, which in this case is live music.
At every level, there's a huge difference from the first event to the last. And it will continue to evolve because you're always learning something new. We try to make people feel like they're at a barbecue at home, a gathering of friends, and you could say, although I shouldn't be the one to say it, that we've achieved it.
But it's tangible in the return of people to the festival. And that makes me happy. Today, many of them are no longer just attendees, but friends we see once a month at each festival. And even though we don't know each other very well, there's always a welcome and goodbye hug.
Why did you choose Trinitat Vella Park as your new venue? Why it's the right place to avoid disturbing any neighbors. I'd like it to be more central, but that's not possible due to City Hall permits. And secondly, because it meets all the technical requirements I need to host the event.
What can the public expect this year in terms of gastronomy and experience? On a culinary level, there's a tremendous Argentine barbecue made with love and passion. And on the entertainment side, there are excellent bands playing Argentine tango, folklore, rock, and cumbia. It starts off easy with good tangos or folklore and ends with dancing to cumbia, smiling, making friends, and feeling at home; like in Argentina, but far away... And everyone is welcome. It's not exclusively for Argentines. We teach about our beautiful culture for one day a month, and we want to share it with anyone who wants to come.
What role does music play in the festival? It's essential. It closes the circle. It brings people together, brings back lost smiles, brings tears of nostalgia. What you feel when people start dancing—and we're talking a lot of people—is something beautiful. For me, it's a healthy drug that I don't want to stop taking. I'm very proud to be able to bring that magical moment to people.
What is barbecue like outside of Argentina, and what adaptations have you made? It's exactly the same life. No adjustments were necessary.
I suppose because there's a large Argentinian community in Barcelona, you can get the same products as in Argentina, although they're of Spanish origin. And I can assure you that the quality of the meat, if you know how to look for it, is excellent.
What would you like someone who comes for the first time to feel? The thrill of being at home, of experiencing a culture as powerful as Argentina's. It's not just a barbecue. It's an unforgettable experience. The festival is held with a lot of love, and that's easily conveyed.
What message would you give to those who see fire only as cooking, and not as culture? I highly doubt anyone sees fire solely as a cooking method. Throughout the world, in my opinion, it's a connecting link. We Argentines consider it a fundamental part of our traditional cuisine, and that gives it a plus, but it's still a connecting link worldwide.
What do you dream for Brasa y Fuego in the coming years? So many things, all related to friendship and bringing people together. Ultimately, that was the reason it all began, and it still is. There are some wonderful projects coming up next year.
Adrian Schvartz doesn't sell tickets: invites you to share. Because Ember and Fire is not just a festival, is a celebration of the authentic, the tasty, and the human. In every cut of meat, every guitar chord, every Fernet toast, there's a story simmering away.
This year, the Trinitat Vella neighborhood becomes the epicenter of Argentine culture in Barcelona. If you've ever dreamed of experiencing an asado like the ones there, this is your moment. And if you've already experienced it, you know there's no turning back: the fire is calling. So prepare your mate, whet your appetite, and come eager to dance, eat, and connect. Because as Adrián says: "Fire unites. And when there's good meat, good music, and good people... you don't need anything else."
The fire is lit. Are you going to miss it?
See you in Ember and Fire Festival Barcelona 2025And may the flame never go out.
