Squares, Voices and Heroes

Abstract

In the first epic story, the poem of Gilgamesh which is more than 4000 years old, two heroes, Gilgamesh and Enkidu measure their own strengths in a square. In front of the people’s eyes, they get into the square like rivals and get out like friends, and together they´ll venture to defend the city. Already at that time the cities offered already public space, in particular squares to solve the problems of citizens. Throughout history different urban spaces have had an important role to collect the voices expressing people’s desires and problems: theaters, amphitheaters, arenas,… All of them have hosted emotions, laughter, worries, catharsis,... The roaring of the collective voice, like that of a living organism that listens to himself, and while doing so, it becomes aware and gains strength. That is a phenomenon we are living intensely in recent times. Squares are still alive, pretty much alive.