In Tenerife, Spain, a project born in a therapeutic setting has transformed into a genuine experience of comprehensive rehabilitation, inclusion, and hope. It is called Reconecta2, a murga (musical troupe) made up of people with Acquired Brain Injury who, through music and Carnival, have found an unexpected way to reconnect with life.
The initiative began eight years ago with the launch of a speech-music workshop meant for patients at the Acquired Brain Injury Day Unit. What started as a therapeutic proposal driven by speech therapists grew over time, evolving in 2019 into a project with an identity of its own.
Since their debut at the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival in 2022, as part of the Gala for the Elderly, the members of “Reconecta2” have returned to the stage year after year, demonstrating that rehabilitation can also be built through joy, a sense of belonging, and shared expression.
Rehearsals take place in a simple room, without spotlights or major technical resources. Yet, the atmosphere is filled with enthusiasm, commitment, and trust. Through well-known songs, collaboratively developed lyrics, and an inclusive dynamic, fundamental skills are exercised: communication, memory, self-esteem, teamwork, and social relations. There are no judges or prizes. The goal is different: to reconnect with oneself and with others.
The personal stories of the members of Reconecta2 speak of illness, accidents, unexpected diagnoses, and lives that came to a sudden halt. These are people who were once professionals, students, mothers, and workers, and who had to rebuild themselves following a stroke, a brain tumor, or a traumatic brain injury. In the murga, those stories are not erased; instead, they are integrated and transformed into collective strength.
Recently, the murga received institutional recognition from the Government of the Canary Islands, a gesture that highlights the consistent work and the human impact of this experience. Meanwhile, the group continues rehearsing, preparing new lyrics, and dreaming of taking the next step: performing as the opening act at a murga final—not as a concession, but on their own merit.
For those who are part of Reconecta2, the murga is therapy, identity, and community. It is a concrete way to demonstrate that, even after illness or injury, it is always possible to reconnect with life.
