When Yoga Becomes Ritual and Kirtan Echoes Among Ruins: Emporiom Returns to Empúries
For the fourth consecutive year, the Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries host Emporiom, a festival that is more than just a celebration of yoga and devotional music — it’s a heartfelt invitation to reconnect with oneself. Having attended past editions, I can say with confidence: this is one of those rare events that stay with you not because of the crowd or the program, but because of the calm, glowing feeling it leaves behind — like a gentle breeze that lingers for days.
In 2025, Emporiom expands to two full days, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June. A natural evolution, reflecting the growing appetite for conscious, community-based living. This year’s highlight: the presence of the renowned musician Manu OM and his full band. Their Saturday sunset kirtan concert promises to be a soul-stirring experience.
I’ve attended several concerts within the Greek walls of Empúries, and I can tell you — music resonates differently there. It’s not just the acoustics or the stunning scenery. It’s the ancient, sacred energy of the place. When the mantras begin, something shifts: voices, stones, silences align. You find yourself singing with strangers like you’ve known them forever. Music becomes a practice of presence — a ritual that transcends cultures and centuries.
From the beginning, the festival’s purpose has been clear: to offer a space for body, mind, and spirit to reunite. It was founded in 2022 by Thaïs Botinas — a yogini, art advisor, and the heart behind the project — and has quickly become a flagship event in the Empordà region. Its strength lies in the perfect balance between professionalism, heartfelt dedication, and respect for the land.
This edition is supported by yoga studios like 108 Yoga Room, Salada Ioga, and Happy Yoga Girona, as well as institutions such as the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia. Local businesses like Hostal Empúries, Empordaigua, and Bretta restaurant also contribute, weaving a strong network that grounds the festival in its community.
The program is rich and thoughtful: Saturday begins with various workshops — yoga, nutrition, guided tours — followed by a classical Indian music concert by Jaume Catà and Sukhdev Mishrà, and ends with the much-awaited kirtan by Manu OM. Sunday starts at sunrise with a beach meditation, a deep yoga ritual, a locally sourced vegan brunch, and a closing Naad Yoga and Gurmat Kirtan session at the museum’s library.
What makes this festival truly unique — and often overlooked — is its solidarity. Half of the proceeds go to the Wide Children’s Home, a safe and loving home for orphaned children at the foot of Mount Arunachala in southern India. Thaïs knows the project personally. Supporting it gives each chant, each breath, each shared moment a deeper meaning.
Emporiom is more than a festival. It’s a way of being. A gathering of souls who remember that well-being is not only personal — it’s shared. That singing, breathing, walking barefoot on the earth can be acts of healing and joy.
In Empúries, everything resonates more deeply. That’s why I always return. Because as a friend once told me: Emporiom is not something you explain — it’s something you live. And what you live, transforms you.
