Their creation reflects the need to promote spaces for reflection on one of the most universal and complex phenomena of human existence: death. Through a dialogue between science, culture and society, the chair aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of life and the role that death plays in it, both personally and collectively.
The name of the chair refers to the Dance of Death of Verges, an ancestral tradition that is part of Catalan and European Cultural Heritage. This symbolic expression reminds us of the universality of death and the importance of living conscientiously, establishing a bridge between contemporary thought and the historical and cultural roots of our region.
The chair is structured around three main areas that interact with each other:

• Anthropological and social area, focussing on the study of the perception of death throughout history and in various cultures, as well as its artistic and philosophical representations.
• Psychological and mental health area, devoted to understanding emotional and behavioural processes linked to grief, loss and crisis situations.
• Medical and bioethical area, aimed at reflecting on the ethical implications of the end of life and the accompanying decisions.

In short, the Dance of Death Chair is a space for meeting and shared knowledge that seeks to preserve cultural memory, promote applied research and promote a humanist view of death as an essential part of life.
This initiative is aligned with the University of Girona’s strategic priorities, which are committed to preserving popular culture, transferring knowledge and reflecting on life and death as fundamental elements of our society.