Barcelona Metropolitan Issue 191 by Barcelona Metropolitan

December 2012 Nยบ 191 Free

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Contents

December

Features 14 18 22

Catalan Lace Robert Hughes

14. Catalan lace

Music Industry

Regulars 06 07 08 11 13 20 26 50

On our web An inside look What’s new Fact-checker: Caga Tiò and The Caganer Interview: Stephen Illing

20. PHOTO COLLAGE

Photo collage: Fountains Ideas: Culture, Gastronomy Back page

Directories 36 40 48

Food & Drink Business Jobs

From the Editor:

22. MUSIC INDUSTRY

The Christmas holidays are the culmination of a year’s wait for children who begin counting down the days until presents, sweets, and time off from school are here. Funny how the same season can stir a confusing mixture of feelings when childhood has passed. We’ve taken a look in this month’s issue at some of what makes the holidays special for children (our cover illustration and artist profile is full of hope; our look at traditional Catalan holiday figures is playful, our Bond double is certain to amuse the child in all of us). Our Making Plans pages have car races, shadow puppets for all ages, music and dance. December features take a look at the importance of preserving tradition with an article on Catalan lace and a look forward with ways to make it happen for you in the music business. We say goodbye to the art historian, Robert Hughes and ring in a new year with suggestions on ways to relax—from hot yoga to Cava Marys—on our What’s New pages. So beat that log, release that cork and with a mature and mellow optimism, together we’ll embrace the new year. Lynn Baiori

29. WORLD PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Publisher Creative Media Group, S.L. Managing Director Esther Jones Acting Senior Editor Lynn Baiori Art Director Aisling Callinan Account Executives Richard Cardwell and Maria Galindo Financial Manager Andrea Moreno Editorial Assistants Carol Moran, Emily Tarbuck, Said Saleh Sales Administrator Clara Davies Design Assistants Markus Kreutzer and Nazli Gürkas Contributors Petra Barnby, Jonathan Bennett, Rupert Crookenden, Jordi de Nadal, Michael Eaude, Roger de Flower, Tori Sparks, Tara Stevens and Nicola Thornton Photographers Richard Owens and Lee Woolcock Cover illustration Mihalache Marika Illustrator Ben Rowdon Editorial Office: Ciutat 7 2º 2ª-4ª, 08002 Barcelona. Tel. 93 451 4486, Fax. 93 451 6537; editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com Advertising: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com. General enquiries: info@barcelona-metropolitan.com. www.barcelona-metropolitan.com Printer: Litografia Rosés. Depósito Legal: B35159-96 The views expressed in Barcelona Metropolitan are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction, or use, of advertising or editorial content herein, without express permission, is prohibited.

Find your nearest distribution point on www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

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06 INTERNET

on our web

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

Pondering life’s big questions The Jocular Theatre group presents their latest Englishlanguage production, Ives’ Shorts, at the Teatre de l’Enjòlit (Dec. 13th-16th)—a collection of six witty and original one-acts by playwright David Ives. Find out more at: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/ivesshorts

Here’s to you Mrs Robinson The English Drama School presents its final show of the year— just in time for the holidays—and what better way to celebrate the season than with a story of seduction, manipulation and desperation. Mike Nichols’ cult classic film, which made its debut in December 1967, is retold for the stage. The Graduate is the story of Benjamin, a young man who has returned to his parents’ home after graduating from college and finds himself seduced by Mrs. Robinson, a family friend, twice his age. During the affair, Ben falls in love with Mrs Robinson’s daughter, Elaine (who could forget a twenty-something Dustin Hoffman banging on the church doors screaming her name). This Christmas treat will bring you back to the innocent days of the 1960’s; here’s a history lesson on the birth of free love for youngsters and a walk down memory lane for anyone old enough to have lived the experience. With original Simon and Garfunkel soundtrack. December 13-16, at the English Drama Theatre. More info at: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/graduate

Boníssims! On December 25th and 26th, families will gather together around Catalunya to share in two wholesome national dishes, canalons (pictured enticingly above) and escudella i carn d’olla —a slow-cooked, hearty stew, perfect for the mid-winter festival. The everyday version of this hotch-potch soup is a thick broth of pulses and veg, whilst the blow-out Christmas version is an altogether meatier affair, which includes pork, beef, lamb and chicken, followed by torró (a type of nougat) and neules (tubular wafers). In true Catalan style nothing is wasted, as the leftovers are used creatively to fill pasta rolls— els canelons—providing another delicious, flavoursome meal, far superior to turkey sandwiches, for Sant Esteve (Boxing Day). Cook up your own Catalan Christmas frenzy using our recipe archive: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/canelons; www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/escudella; www.barcelonametropolitan.com/torro Corrections: In editing last month’s issue, we gave Nicky Smyth’s age as 36. She’s 49. On page 15, Cristina Slattery’s name should be spelled without the ‘h’.

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COVER 07

An inside look Illustrator Mihalache Marika www.facebook.com/MarikaMihalacheDesign

Living in Barcelona was always a dream of mine, so coming here to study became more than a great experience. In my country, Romania, I graduated in Interior Architecture and this July finished a Masters in Retail Design here in Barcelona. My passion for drawing goes way back to when I was a child, painting my grandma’s walls with funky people. In Barcelona I found again the joy of sketching as I am inspired by this vibrant city, the cool people and active way of life here. This is a perfect city and I would like to think that I am part of it and I am giving back the world some joy with my art. Barcelona is a hub of culture and happy, creative vibes. I never miss a walk on the beach. Seeing the sea calms and inspires me. I always avoid La Rambla and El Raval at night. A view: Barcelona from the upper-tower of the church on Tibidabo, El Temple del Sagrat Cor. A building: Definitely the breathtaking Sagrada Família! An inspiration: People in the streets. A place to go with friends: La Caseta del Migdia – the secret of Montjuïc. On my to-do list: Visit the CosmoCaixa! About the cover: The Catalan tradition of the Caga Tió is a very peculiar and nice one. Children take care of a little fir tree trunk —feeding and loving him, until Christmas Eve when they hit the Tió while singing a special song in order to shake the presents out of him!

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oto by Jorge Andreu

08 THE MONTH

INSPIRED BREW The hottest new kids on the block to take up residence in Raval come in the form of Grey Street and Satan’s Coffee Corner; a unique fusion of art, second-hand clothing, jewelry, toys and gift items plus some really outstanding coffee. The friendly and creative space spans three rooms and is already building a cult following. So whether you decide to grab a coffee on the run from their take-away hatch, or spend some time browsing through their eclectic wares inside the shop, you’re sure to be tempted to come back for more. Grey Street boutique/Satan’s Coffee Corner. Store hours 10am-9pm and Coffee shop 10am-6pm. Peu de la Creu, 25.

December

WHAT’S NEW IN TOWN

Personal style BOO, the charming and fashion-forward boutique tucked away on Carrer Bonavista, features a standout collection of menswear from such names as Penfield and Herschel Supply Co. The shop offers items that would be well received in any man’s stocking this Christmas. Like its namesake, Boo from To Kill a Mockingbird, the two share a passion for unique objects, as demonstrated by the boutique’s selection of original knick knacks and books. Check out their quirky range of Bond & Burlington bowties, handmade in Barcelona. BOO. Bonavista, 2. www.boobcn.com

Best of both meals The Hotel Pulitzer has introduced a new Happy Hour concept, Drunch (the word is a fusion of lunch and dinner). Don’t let the name put you off—Drunch at the Pulitzer is a tantalizing mixture of well-prepared tapas plus a classic cocktail. Getting away from the now overdone Gin and Tonic, The Pulitzer offers eight new ways to enjoy a Bloody Mary, (try a Bloody María made with Tequila, or a Bloody Smoke make with Islay Storm Single Malt Whisky). Sit comfortably on a chaise longue, relax in an arm chair and choose three generous selections from the tapas menu, everything from steaming rice with jumbo shrimp, artichoke hearts with quail eggs to Iberian ham sandwiches served with warm brie. The tapas are fresh, served with a smile and change weekly to keep you coming back. €15. 5-9pm. Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona. Bergara, 8. www.hotelpulitzer.es

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THE MONTH 09

Some like it hot Hot on the heels of one of the biggest trends in exercise, Yogalinda has opened Barcelona’s second hot yoga studio in Port Olympic. The studio offers a variety of classes from Hatha, Vinyasa and Yogilates. The rooms are heated to 40°C in order to sweat out those toxins and get the most from your workout. The studio’s ethos is to provide every customer with an eco-friendly and informative environment, allowing them to enrich their yoga practice both mentally and physically. The introductory offer includes €10 for the first class with the second class free. Yogalinda. Rosa Sensat 4, www.yogalinda.es

New life for old gold What to do with a treasured family heirloom that’s been sitting in a drawer? Circa will appraise each piece, from a simple band to a diamond packed brooch, with the greatest of care and discretion, to help you find a new home for your gems. Since 2001, Circa has been the leading global buyer of fine jewellry. It now opens its first showroom in Barcelona. Underlying Circa’s philosophy is sustainability; each diamond recycled is one less to be mined, proof that recycling, even diamonds, is good for the economy as well as the environment. www.circajewels.com

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FACT-CHECKER 11

(ALMOST) ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT: CAGA TIÓ AND The CAGANER. THE CAGA TIÓ Caga Tió is a much-loved Catalan tradition used to celebrate the Christmas season. It’s a log which is often given human physical features, such as eyes, eyebrows, legs and a nose. It’s wrapped in a blanket for warmth and is crowned with the traditional Catalan barretina. The whole family customarily comes together before the beginning of the Christmas season in order to create the Caga Tió. Caga Tió is cared for by Catalan children in the weeks leading up to Christmas. From December 8th his behind is wrapped in a blanket and he’s fed orange peel and turrón (a type of Spanish nougat) every evening. It’s thought that the more the Caga Tió is fed, the more presents or Christmas goodies he’ll excrete from his behind come Christmas day. El Tió needs some persuasion to drop his load on Christmas day and the children of the household are given sticks in order to beat him into delivering his many and various festive offerings. While beating the Caga Tió, Catalan children traditionally sing a song—the words may vary from town to town but the tune stays the same. A typical version goes like this: ‘Caga tió, caga torró, avellanes i mató, si no cagues bé et daré un cop de bastó. Caga tió!’ This translates literally as: ‘Shit log, shit turron, hazelnuts and cottage cheese, if you don’t shit well, I’ll hit you with a stick. Shit log!’

THE CAGANER The caganer is a small, defecating figure associated with Christmas. The caganer is a tradition not only in Catalunya but also in other areas of Spain, Italy and Portugal. The typical Catalan caganer is squatting with his trousers around his ankles; he wears a red barretina and is often reading a newspaper or smoking a pipe.

QUICK FACTS · The Queen of England, Rafael Nadal, George Bush, Spiderman and many others have all been made into caganers. · In December 2010, a 19-Foot, 8.22-Inch caganer was placed in the Maremagnum Shopping Centre. This gargantuan figure grabbed the Guinness World Record for Largest Caganer. · One early caganer scene depicts a wife waiting submissively to wipe the behind of her husband. Today, of course, many male caganers wipe their own behinds. · The caganer is said to be one of the most popular figures in the Catalan nativity scene.

The tradition of the caganer is believed to be 300 years old. An Iberian votive offering which depicts a holy warrior excreting has been discovered near Tornabous in the Urgell and can be dated back to the early 18th century. Originally, the caganer was a necessary figure in the nativity scene. He was thought to bring good luck and happiness to the family and his fecal droppings were a symbol of wealth and the promise of a productive new year. The caganer today is still often placed within the Catalan nativity scene. Local nativity scenes generally depict the entire town of Bethlehem and the caganer is usually found squatting in an obscure corner.

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INTERVIEW 13

Stephen Illing James Bond Double, 45, British

I was born in the East End of London but grew up south of the river. I have a passport for both banks. Ten years ago, I was sitting in an onson—a very hot bath—in Japan, eating raw fish, when I suddenly thought: “As nice as this is, I’d like to go somewhere where there’s a bit more passion.” Within six weeks, I was on a plane to Barcelona. I think it was a coffee advert that first piqued my interest in Spain. There was a tall, dark Latin sipping a hot cup of coffee and I thought: “Sod green tea, here I come.” The major cultural differences I found was that in Japan it’s hard to get an opinion; here you get one from everyone. There, the service is excellent. Here, it’s...well...let’s say variable. The Bond thing came about slowly. A friend said to me a few years ago “You know who you look like? Daniel Craig!” I didn’t know who he was at the time, so I quickly googled him and found Craig David—a six foot four rapper—and forgot all about it. A few weeks later, someone said the same thing, so I thought…hmmm.” Around the same time, Casino Royale was being made and another friend suggested I take advantage of my similarity to Daniel. At the time, I was a bit lighter, so I gave myself six months to bulk up, and amass the gun, the tuxedo and the dickie; then when the film was released, I went to an early showing in Leicester Square to see the reaction. I didn’t have the bravado to dress up properly, but yeah, there was enough interest to build my confidence. I tend to work at boat shows, car shows, openings of things. Most of my work is in London. I’ve been asked to do hen nights but I always refuse. A group of women waiting

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for Daniel Craig to turn up and I walk in? I couldn’t bear the look of disappointment on their faces. I’ve met Daniel twice...we shook hands and our eyes sort of met in a knowing way. There’s no way you could confuse us if we stood together—he’s got a more rounded head and his eyes are different—but there’s something there, there’s something. What makes a good Bond is a good mix of sensitivity, sophistication and toughness, a cross between Sean Connery and Daniel Craig. Fleming’s original Bond ideal was a six foot, dark-haired 44 year old man who drank whisky and smoked. I would say Roger Moore is more of a spoof Bond. Puts on Roger Moore voice: I tried a Viagra last week. It didn’t make me Daniel Craig, but it did make me Roger Moore. Would I like to have any aspect of Bond’s lifestyle? I think any red-blooded man would! I’m a sucker for an exotic location and a sharp suit. Most men like to look good, but we don’t like to admit it, especially

Englishmen as we’re not the most internationally stylish! I’m not interested in the gadgets; I like to see them in films, but my iPhone gives me no end of worries. My favourite Bond film would have to be Thunderball. It has the perfect mix of exotic locations and excellent underwater fight scenes. Plenty O’Toole, from Diamonds are Forever, is my favourite Bond girl. I love her brassiness. I think each different actor has brought something new to Bond’s character. Sean’s done his bit, Roger did his. I find Daniel’s Bond is a little two-dimensional at the moment, but he’s evolving nicely. Skyfall is a brilliant film and Javier Bardem has turned out to be my favourite Bond villain of all time. www.bonddouble.com

Interview by Nicola Thornton. Photo by Lee Woolcock.

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14 LACE MAKING

Arachneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children...Catalan lace requires skilled hands to work bobbins and pins

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LACE MAKING 15

Turning thread into gold More than a craft, lace-making is a way to connect with the past and maintain some perspective in these hectic, changing times. Story and photos by Petra Barnby

he soothing tap of hundreds of wooden bobbins being deftly passed over each other is the only sound. The heads of the seven Catalan lace-makers are cast down on their work as if in prayer, their fingers moving as expertly as a concert pianist’s to select the bobbin they need. All light is cast on the threads. Someone speaks and everyone laughs. The lace is slowly created. By weight, the pieces these people are making are more valuable than gold. A pair of women’s gloves cost €2,500 and the simplest handkerchief can take six months to complete. In the past this kind of lace could be pawned for cash at Barcelona’s historic bank Monte de Piedad, but now it is made just for the pleasure. “You always feel happier after working on your lace,” said Josep Lamiel, 42, one of the managers of Borne lace shop, Labors Vol i Boixet.“When you are working on it you can’t think of anything else. The sound of the bobbins relaxes you.” In reality, making lace of this high standard is a skill that takes decades to master. Up to 1,000 wooden spools and threads are managed and manipulated to make this precious fabric. Secretary of The Catalan Lace Guild, Rosa Provencio, 61, believes learning about lace from the region is a way for foreigners to develop their understanding of Catalans. “People are very surprised that we have this skill here, especially foreigners. We had two Japanese ladies come over to learn what we do. They stayed for two months,” Rosa told me. “Learning about Catalan lace is a way to integrate yourself into our culture. It is a way to understand us. We are a people of tradition.” There are two main ways to make lace. One is bobbin lace which

is made by pinning threads to a large pillow and attaching all the threads to wooden spools or ‘bobbins’. These bobbins are worked in groups of four and systematically passed over each other to create the plaits and knots of the lace. The other technique is needlelace which achieves a similar effect using a single needle. Bobbin lace, or punta as it is called in Catalan, is Catalunya’s speciality. There are two types of bobbin lace made in the region; Blonda de l’Arboc is a style from Tarragona and is known for its dense weave, while Punta d’Arenys (facing page) comes from the coastal area around Arenys de Mar and is famous for its more delicate finish. Apart from their beauty, what is special about these laces is the skill required to make them and the large number of bobbins needed to control the lace. “The number of people who make our traditional lace are few,” said Provencio. Spain has a long history of lacemaking. It is widely thought that Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of English King Henry VIII, introduced lace-making to England when she was there in 1531. The oldest Catalan bobbin lace dates from the 14th century and can be found in the Monastery of Pedralbes in Barcelona. Since its creation, lace-making provided a livelihood for women home-makers across Europe because of the constant demand from the bourgeoisie to be seen wearing lace as a show of wealth. The most sought-after Spanish lace was the fine black lace historically used for mantillas (the silk lace veils worn over the head and shoulders on formal occasions across Spain). At the end of the 18th century came the machines that did away with the professional lace-maker entirely. Now there is almost no demand for hand-made lace—despite its rich tradition of lace-making, there

“Learning about Catalan lace is a way

to integrate yourself into our culture. It’s

a way to understand us. We are a people of tradition”

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16 LACE MAKING

Experienced teacher of Punta d’Areny, Antonia Jaures i Vallalta, is concerned about the future of Catalan lace

is not one lace shop in Barcelona that sells new lace pieces off-theshelf. If you want to buy a new piece, the only two shops in Barcelona that sell it are Artesania de Catalunya and Lobors Vol I Boixet (see insert). And with so much time and skill needed to craft a piece of hand-made lace, the finished product doesn’t come cheap. Despite this lack of demand, the culture and love of lace-making is alive and kicking in Barcelona today. There are thought to be somewhere around 3,000 lace-makers in the city and 40 lace associations; every barrio of the city has at least one. It is said one in five grandmothers makes lace in Cataluyna. Your best chance of seeing lace being made is to visit one of the many lace meetings, or trobadas, which take place across the city, culminating in the annual meet on Portal de l’Àngel which sees some 500 people gather around a vast table in February. The same thing, on a smaller scale, is seen at most festa mayors across the region. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only elderly women who make lace here—men and children can wield a bobbin too. The numbers are smaller but a recent lace-meeting for children in Arenys de Munt attracted sixty children. The Catalan Lace Guild has even created its own Facebook page and is running its first lace competition for children. President, Maria Jesus González, 64, is working tirelessly to preserve the Catalan lace culture for the next generation. “We have the best lace in Spain. We have more varieties here. We have a creative culture in Cataluyna and I’m working very hard to ensure it has a future,” she said. But others are worried that there is not enough commitment from practitioners to pass on the skill. Lace teacher Antonia Jaures i Vallalta, who has been making lace since she was a girl, is concerned. “Young people are increasingly interested and grandmothers want to share what they know. But only three of the six women in my class are passing it on to the next generation. It is not enough.” Since machines make so much of the lace we see today, it is hard to appreciate the amount of work, skill and commitment that goes into making a piece of hand-made lace. Whereas a knitter might create a hat in a few hours, a lace-maker will take months to create the smallest of pieces because the weaves are so tiny. So what is the allure of this most beautiful, if pain-staking, business? For Josep Lamiel, lace-making was a lifeline. “I was working in a bar and becoming ill with stress. My doctor told me I needed to

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change my life. I was walking past a shop and saw two ladies doing something with wooden sticks. They were making lace and it was very relaxing. I wanted to try,” he said. “Now we are like a little family. I can tell by looking at a piece who made it. I know who does a tight weave, who is a perfectionist, who is more relaxed.” But for others, making lace simply unites mind and body. “You need a lot of concentration. Your hands and brain work together. When you have finished you have made a work of art, a fantastic work of art. It gives you a huge amount of satisfaction. It is a therapy,” said González. Whether a form of therapy of a priceless tradition, lace making is an art form that will hopefully continue for ages to come.

MORE INFO. Courses: There are weekly classes of two-hours costing €38 a month at Labors Vol i Boixet, Sant Pere Mes Baix 41. Email oltepe@terra.es or call 93 319 8919. Courses can also be found at Escola de Puntaires de Barcelona. escolapuntairesbcn.com. 93 329 6538 Lace Museums: Museu Marès de la Punta, Arenys de Mar. Museo Textil y de la Indumentaria, Montcada 12 Exhibitions/general info www.puntaires.com Shops: Casa Felix, Placa de la Villa de Madrid 4 Antigüedades Pilar, Boulevard Rosa, Pg de Gracia 55 Artesania de Catalunya, Banys Nou 11 Labors Vol i Boixet, Sant Pere Mes Baix 41

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18 Robert Hughes

Disrobing Emperors Famous as a lively, aggressive art critic, Robert Hughes is sure to be remembered as a talented and controversial figure. By Michael Eaude

e may have been the best-known art critic of our time, writing prolifically as well as making appearances on television, but Robert Hughes had several other talents. Novelist Peter Carey, his fellow Australian and a two-time Booker prize-winner, considered him their country’s finest writer. Hughes’ greatest book is not on art, but a history of Australia’s white colonisation, The Fatal Shore. And for foreigners who have wanted to know a bit more about Barcelona, Robert Hughes wrote the definitive modern book on the city’s history and art, Barcelona, published in 1992. The only unimaginative thing about these 500 plus pages was the title. But even this is Hughesian: despite his sparkling, frothy style, he took Orwell as a model and tried to be direct. Hughes died on August 6 this year, at 74. His health had been undermined by a 1999 car accident that left him in a coma for several days. Born in 1938, he studied art and architecture at Sydney University, but dropped out after flunking his first year; one of the sources of his blithe rejection of an academic approach to art. He worked precariously as a freelance cartoonist and architecture critic before leaving for Italy in 1964 to establish himself as a painter. Then, in his moment of truth, he gave up painting after seeing the Piero della Francesco frescoes at Arezzo: “I realised… I could never give my own work a decent review”. His clarity about himself underpinned his perceptions of other artists, as he developed his criticism. He wrote several influential book-length studies of painters, Lucien Freud, Frank Auerbach and Goya, and pitched out his ideas in the successful 1981 BBC series and book, The Shock of the New, a history of twentieth-century art.

Hughes was adored and loathed for the sharpness of his views. Outspoken, he enjoyed juicy epithets that, at their best, could sum up a painting or an artist. He wrote because he cared and he laid into what he saw as the fraud of a lot of ostentatious, commerciallydriven modern art, arguing that artists should be assessed by their formal ability and interpreted in the context of the times in which they are living. Employed by the conservative Time magazine as their art critic from 1970 to 2008, his opponents unjustly painted him as a reactionary figure. He believed art should be accessible, not obscure nor the province of academics, and he was quick to criticise figures of the art establishment. Hughes was radical in his defence of formal painting values, whether in use by the Renaissance masters, Michelangelo, Raphael or Caravaggio, or by de Kooning, his favourite among the New York Abstract Expressionists, for whom he had a special admiration. It would be possible to fill the page with Hughes’ scathing comments on contemporary artists who he felt were emperors bloated with commercial values, but bereft of artistic clothes. Of Jeff Koons he wrote: “Koons is the baby to Andy Warhol’s Rosemary. He has done for narcissism what Michael Milken did for the junk bond.” Commenting on the works of Damien Hirst, Britain’s wealthiest contemporary artist, Hughes pulled no punches in his use of adjectives like “absurd” and “tacky”. His clash with Hirst was famously voiced in his critique that Hirst “function(s) like a commercial brand”, and his statement that Hirst’s shark in formaldehyde was “the world’s most over-rated marine organism”. The attacks did no harm to Hirst, for whom all publicity is good. In later years, Hughes became pessimistic about the possibility of freeing art from the art market.

His writing is not just witty phrases: underlying the froth lies enormous knowledge and understanding.

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ROBERT hughes 19

Clockwise from left: Hughes as a boy in Sydney; in Madrid, standing before Goya’s El Tres de Mayo 1808, after publication of Goya; cover of his opus on Barcelona

Hughes and Barcelona’s Art Nouveau This traditional, anti-postmodern view stood Hughes in good stead when he came to write about Barcelona. Barcelona started out as a book on the city’s glorious Art Nouveau period from c.1875 to 1910. But, as Hughes explained in the preface, that idea changed: “It would have meant examining the foliage of the tree without considering its trunk and roots”. So he ended up telling the history of the city from the Romans right up to the Art Nouveau period. Little is included about the Civil War or the Franco dictatorship, though his long first chapter does touch on the post-Franco, pre-Olympic city. His writing is not just witty phrases: underlying the froth lies enormous knowledge and understanding. Passages on Ramon Llull’s lust for synthesis, Ausiàs March, Casas or Gaudí present brilliant summaries of their work. Whilst explaining the specificities of Catalan Gothic (the pages are so concise it could serve as an encyclopaedia entry), he affirms that Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic is the largest complex of medieval buildings in Europe, greater than Venice, and you trust him because you know he has studied the Italian cities. He describes Ramon Casas’ influence on Australian painting, through a chance meeting in Granada with Tom Roberts in 1884, which opened Roberts to the impressionism of Whistler and Sargent. Hughes’ comparisons are boldly provocative. He explains the huge building programme of fourteenth-century King Pere III “with its manic quality… (that)… flew in the face of economic reality” even while the Black Death raged across Europe, and he compares this, in an imaginative leap, with the “overreaching” real-estate booms of the nineteenth-century Eixample development and the pre-1992 Olympics. But the book is uneven. Hughes pinpoints the “monument overload, more delirious than any Piranesi capriccio” in many Montjuïc cemetery tombs, a reflection applicable at times to his own imageoverloaded style. Though my main criticism of the book Barcelona is the reverse: surprisingly, there are flat passages in the book, too full

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of the names of obscure poets. At times, Hughes strives too hard; even he cannot fully assimilate a thousand years of another country’s history. And there are omissions; I’d have liked to read what he’d have to say on the incredible story of the mercenary Roger de Flor and his feared warriors the almogàvers. Despite sharp perceptions, he could have further developed the connection between slavery in Cuba and Catalan money—and the flourishing of the Art Nouveau movement. Rereading the book in the wake of his death, much of it seemed familiar, but this is because his synthesis was so powerful it has been a defining influence on how we see the city and Catalan Art Nouveau today. It is the basic book in English on Barcelona. With his combination of erudition, capacity for telling anecdotes and boisterous style, Robert Hughes’ Barcelona is the template for how to write about the culture and history of a great city.

Robert Hughes, Sydney 1938 – New York, 2012 Author of 15 books, including: The Art of Australia, 1966. The Shock of the New, 1981. Also a major BBC television series. The Fatal Shore, 1987. Nothing if Not Critical, 1991. Barcelona, 1992. Goya, 2004. Things I Didn’t Know: A Memoir, 2006. Rome, 2011. Michael Eaude is the author of Barcelona, The City That Reinvented Itself (Five Leaves).

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20 PHOTO COLLAGE

FOUNTAINS

A big thank you to everyone who sent in photos for this subject; and to everyone who has sent in photos over this past year. We much appreciate it, as always. You can find highlights from this year’s photo collage on our website at: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/photos2012. The theme for next month is: LIGHTS—send your images to editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com to arrive by December 15th. Find all the practical info at: www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/photocollage

Font Màgica—by Lynne

Pl. de la Vila de Gràcia—by Nazli Gürkas

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Pl. de

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PHOTO COLLAGE 21

Parc de la Ciutadella—by Michaela Xydi

Pl. de la Mercè—by Liam O’Brien

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Pl. Mercè, Sant Pere de Ribes—by Mrs.Q design studio

Pl. de Sant Felip Neri—by Markus Kreutzer

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22 MUSIC INDUSTRY

Sound Investment

Behind the Scenes in Barcelona’s Music Biz: A Band’s Guide to Getting Started. By Tori Sparks

arcelona has become known for grand music spectacles such as Primavera Sound, Sónar, Crüilla, La Mercè, and the Voll-Damm International Jazz Festival. But there’s a lesser promoted yet thriving musical culture at work in the city’s music scene. While the economic downturn has had an effect on musicians, there remains a need for good, live, accessible music. For musicians new to Barcelona—or even those just touring through— where and how to begin can present special challenges that go beyond learning a new language. I talked to six music professionals living and working here to get their take on getting started. A British songwriter and bandleader. An Italian drummer. A French booking agent and manager. An American lead guitarist. A Catalan studio owner and event planner. A French metal frontwoman turned solo artist. All part of Barcelona’s eclectic music mix, all making it work day by day. Matt Monaghan is a singer-songwriter from Manchester, England. He came to Barcelona about eighteen months ago and founded folkrock band Radiosepia. “It’s been hard work getting a new band up and running, but I feel satisfied with what we’ve been able to achieve here. We just released our first album, Digital Scars,” Matt said. He told me that the biggest challenge he initially faced was recruiting other band members. He found most of his fellow Radiosepians via an ad he placed on Loquo.com, and the rest through going to other musicians’ concerts “in bars in the dark forgotten corners of the Raval.” The best way to book your first show in the city? “In person. Go speak to someone face to face if you can. You have to go into it with a big smile on your face, no matter what, or it won’t work,” Matt said. If you’re new to the city, Matt suggests just walking around to get to know as many local barrio hangouts as possible. Read the local newspapers to find out where the popular venues are, offer to gigswap with bands who already have an audience, and be prepared to start from the ground up—which might mean playing in a room that you might have said no to in your hometown. “Also, learn to say hello and thank you in Spanish and Catalan. It’s surprising how much people will open up to you if they see that you’re trying.” Matt recommends Alfonsi on Carrer Peru (Poble Nou) for buying cheap strings and other gear, and Soterrani on Carrer de Còrsega (Clot) if your band is looking for a place to rehearse.

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The owners of Soterrani are a trio of Spanish and Catalan friends who started the rehearsal space six years ago. Ramon Falgueras is one of the three owners. “The idea was to set up a place where musicians can just plug in and play. We have amplifiers, drum kits, a piano, microphones, and guitar stands, already set up. It isn’t cheap to maintain a place like ours, but we try to keep the prices low because we’re all musicians too. Even in times of crisis we want bands to be able to afford to rehearse.” They also have a small in-house recording studio, host percussion and guitar classes, provide sound equipment, and organise events in local clubs such as Sala Alfa (Gràcia) and Sidecar (Gótico). Ramon says that the more than 350 bands that have come through Soterrani are composed of people originally from all over the world, including Brazil, the US, and China. “When we organise our live events, we do it to showcase our clients. It doesn’t make a difference if they’re expat bands or musicians who were born here. It seems like the Catalan and expat music scenes exist in two parallel universes, but there are good musicians in both worlds. We try to be a bridge between the two and support working musicians.”

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MUSIC INDUSTRY 23

One of the musicians who has rehearsed in Soterrani with various groups is Marco Bazzi, a rock drummer from Milan. He built a career in Italy as a session player and teacher, but moved to Barcelona one year ago in search of new musical opportunities. He recommends that musicians who move here should not necessarily abandon their contacts back home. “I still go back to Italy once a month to play or to teach. It’s a good balance.” He says he met many of the musicians he plays with here through word-of-mouth, including rock band Dirty Santos. Marco says that the biggest challenge he ran into was not finding a place to play, but a place to play loud. “In Barcelona there are lots of places to play, but very few that have the space and the sound system to accommodate a full band with a drum kit. You can adapt your style and play acoustic if you want to get more gigs in small clubs and bars, but creatively that’s not very satisfying if you already have a vision for what you’re doing.” A positive aspect of the local scene is that the music community is more “open” than in Milan, which makes it easier to book shows. “The best way to get started as a sideman who is new in town is to seek out jam sessions. For me that was a great way to show what I could do as a drummer and get connected to bands,” said Marco.

“You can adapt your style and play acoustic if you want to get more gigs in small clubs and bars, but creatively that’s not very satisfying if you already have a vision for what you’re doing.”

“Be prepared to start from the ground up,” says Matt Monaghan of Radiosepia (left). Edith Crash (above) uses social networking to find musicians

One of the other musicians involved in some of the same projects is Marc Curcio, a lead guitar player from San Francisco who has made his living in Barcelona playing music and teaching English for the past ten years. His other projects include Bannister Ride (femalefronted original rock a la PJ Harvey) and experimental jazz funk project The Near Death Ensemble. Marc says that upon moving here, adjusting to the local professional culture was complicated. “On one hand you can find yourself being treated much better than in the States. On the other hand, things move much more slowly when it comes to confirming gigs, and it’s not uncommon for various details to fall through the cracks. It’s just how things work here. It’s important to confirm everything twice.” One of his long-running projects is a cover band called the Lowdown. “In Spain there’s not as much of a culture to go out and discover new music as there is in, for example, the UK. So cover bands just make much more money.” He has found that one good way to meet people is just to start going out, and hanging out, talking to people, going to jam sessions at

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clubs like Harlem Jazz or the Big Bang Club. Also, it helps to set up events of your own. “For example, every year we organise a holiday art exposition and concert called ‘Navidadaaaaaa’. It’s another way to expand your crowd,” Marc told me. Marc has often worked with a booking and management company called Danger Hill, run by Marc Perilhou, originally from Paris. The company has been around since 2010, and now has offices in Paris and Mexico City. Danger Hill works with “folk, rock, pop… everything, even some children’s music, classical, and modern dance groups,” Perilhou said, adding that the only thing he’s still searching for is a great Barcelonabased hip-hop act. “We work with multiple styles because we look for good music. We don’t want to be known as the agency that books the best jazz or the best indie music, but as the company that books the best bands, period.” This can be tricky when it comes to seeking support from the local government for his acts if they don’t sing in the local language. “This includes bands who are Catalan but who don’t happen to sing in Catalan, and who don’t get booked to play certain events, or don’t re-

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24 MUSIC INDUSTRY

ceive financial assistance. I don’t understand that. That’s like saying to a painter, ‘we’ll only put you in the gallery if you paint using the colour blue.’ There are lots of colours—lots of great music—that make up the very diverse culture of Barcelona, and of Catalunya.” But there is a flipside. Marc has found that sometimes foreign bands have a better chance of making an impact in Barcelona, even though they might be playing the same music that a band originally from here is playing. They have the advantage of appearing more exotic. “If your mother is from Paris and your father is from Tokyo and you live here, you have a more interesting story to tell to booking agents and the press. It helps with promotion if you come up with a creative way to market yourself, and you can actually use being foreign to your advantage.” One of the solo artists who was also booked and managed by Danger Hill is Edith Crash, though she’s now independent. She came to Barcelona thirteen years ago with her metal band The Cannibal Queen. Even though they achieved success supporting bands like Deep Purple and Avenged Sevenfold, she later broke away to record her own material. “I did have some issues with the language when I first got here. It’s frustrating but the best way to learn is to start hanging out with people who don’t speak your language. It forces you to learn!” Edith cites the same issues that Marco mentioned regarding noise restrictions in Barcelona. “It’s hard if you play in a loud band. For that reason I also play in an acoustic format sometimes.” She thinks there is a great alternative scene in Barcelona but also recommends looking outside of Barcelona’s city limits if you want to expand your audience. “Pentagrama Bar in Lleida, La Fabrica de Somnis in Vic and the Atmosphera Bar in Torello are all great places to play that aren’t on many people’s radar because they’re not in Barcelona capital. You have to look around for opportunities; sometimes that’s how you’ll find the best places and audiences.” Edith uses social networking to her advantage. “To make contact with other musicians you can look for local bands with Barcelona tag in RevebNation, LastFm, Bandcamp, Google... contact them via internet or go to their concerts. The Atiza web page has a lot of classified ads, and a list of almost all of the concerts in the city. The Catalan Arts page is a good resource for festivals and more information about the music industry in Catalunya. And everyone is on Facebook of course.” She recommends that musicians new to town check out her favourite guitar shop in Gràcia, Tube Sound (C/ de Badia, 12). “The employees are passionate about their work and really skilled; they know what they’re talking about. There are also a lot of music stores on Carrer Tallers, next to Plaça Catalunya. Really, this city is just full of music if you look around!” So, if you’re a guitarist who is new to town, tune up, and don’t fret (pun intended). Even in times of financial crisis, musicians are out there making it work. Your future bandmates await at a jam session near you.

MORE INFO:

Web addresses for bands and sites listed in the article: Radiosepia www.radiosepia.com Dirty Santos www.facebook.com/dirtysantos Near Death Ensemble www.facebook.com/TheNearDeathEnsemble Edith Crash www.edithcrash.com Soterrani www.soterrani.com Danger Hill www.dangerhill.wordpress.com Atiza www.atiza.com The Catalan Arts www.catalanarts.cat

Rocksound Almogavèrs 116, 08018 T. 93 317 5411

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I asked my six interviewees to list their favourite places to play live, or just catch a concert on their night off. Marco Bazzi: El Paraiguas Edith Crash: Niu - Espai Artístic, Fantastico Club, Theatre Apolo Marc Curcio: L’Arco del Virgen, Heliogabal, Bar Ese Efe Ramon Falgueras: Sidecar, Sala Mephisto Matt Monahagn: Mutuo Centro de Arte Marc Perilhou: Antic Teatre, Mutuo Centro de Arte CONTACT INFO: Antic Teatre Verdaguer i Callís 12, 08003 T. 93 315 2354 Arco de la Virgen La Verge 10, 08001 T. 93 181 4221 Bar Ese Efe Les Carretes 48, 08002 T. 93 442 8232 Big Bang Club Botella 7, 08001 T. 93 443 2813 Fantastico Club Passatge dels Escudellers 3, 08002 T. 93 317 5411 Harlem Jazz Club Comtessa de Sobradiel 8, 08002 T. 93 310 0755 Heliogabal Ramón y Cajal 80, 08012 T. 93 676 3132 Mutuo Centro de Arte Carrer de Julià Portet 5, 08004 T. 93 302 3943 Niu – Espai Artistic Almogàvers 208, 08018 T. 93 356 8811 El Paraiguas Carrer del Pas de l’Ensenyança 2, 08002 T. 93 302 1131 Sala Mephisto Carrer Roc Boronat 33, 08005 T. 659 163 652

Sidecar Plaça Reial 7, 08002 T. 93 302 1586 Soterrani Còrsega 634, Bajos - 08025 T. 626 803 351 Teatre Apolo Avinguda del Paral·lel 59, 08004 T. 93 441 9007

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26 IDEAS

MAKING PLANS

A few suggestions about things to do tonight, this weekend, later on...

Shady Characters Cuentos de Pocas Luces. Teatre Tantarantana, Les Flors 22. December 1st and 2nd. www.tantarantana.com, www.alasombrita.com In the dark streets of late 19th century La Ribera, dancing silhouettes rose up the walls of Barcelona for the first time, to tell a story in shadows. It was here, amidst the artistic mob of ‘Els Quatre Gats’, that shadow puppetry made its debut in Barcelona, thanks to two local protagonists, Pere Romeu and Miguel Utrilio (also founders of the famous bar). This magical genre of theatre returns to the city on December 1st and 2nd, when the Andalusian theatre company ‘A la sombrita’ present their latest production, Cuentos de Pocas Luces, a visual spectacle of shadows that takes us on a journey through the origins of this ancient technique—a journey of magic, imagination, games and fantasy. The performance encompasses a series of short stories that combine to portray the evolution of shadow puppet theatre, and in doing so, echoes the evolution of man himself. From humble beginnings around the caveman’s fire, this poetic tale transports us through the discovery of music and rhythms, the creation of objects and tools, and the use of hand, body and finely crafted puppets in story-telling throughout the ages.

Back on track

Barcelona Montjuïc Revival. The Monjuïc Park Track, December 8th & 9th. www.montjuicrevival.com

After 37 years of absence, the Monjuïc Park Racetrack will return to its former glory when over 200 classic and vintage racecars, many driven by famous Spanish racing drivers, past and present, will proceed around the once iconic racetrack. The circuit, still considered as one of the best Formula One circuits in history, was at the forefront of racecar driving for around 75 years until a tragic and fatal accident at the 1975 Grand Prix. Now, after decades of silence, over 800,000 people are expected to witness the return of the circuit’s magic when three laps of the track will be undertaken by the procession; an unmissible spectacle for motor-enthusiasts and those wishing to revisit the golden era of the sport in the city.

Show buggys Auto Retro Barcelona 2012. Fira de Barcelona. Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, December 5th-9th. www.autoretro.es Preceding the Revival is the 29th edition of Auto Retro Barcelona —an extensive exhibition of retro cars, motorbikes, planes and boats at the Fira de Barcelona. French auction house, Stanislas Machoïr, will host a classic and competitive automobile auction, also featuring a selection of motorcycles and race memorabilia. The event brings together enthusiastic exhibitors and collectors from around the country every year; and offers a glimpse into automotive history even for those not in the market.

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IDEAS 27

Up on stage

Some of the concerts happening this month in Barcelona The Vaccines (right)—Saturday 8th at Primavera Club Tensnake—Friday 14th at Razzmatazz L’OBC I Pau Casals—Friday 14th-16th at L’Auditori Mark Ronson—Friday 21st at Razzmatazz Fito y Fitipaldis—Friday 21st—23rd at Auditorio CCIB Russian Red—Friday 28th at Sala 2 Razzmatazz Manuel Carrasco—Saturday 29th at Sant Jordi Club

A Dance in Time

Arts in Movement: Dance in Catalunya (1966-2012) Arts Santa Mònica, La Rambla 7, until January 26th. www.artssantamonica.cat The history of dance has an intangible quality as hard to pin down as the body that dances. This exhibition explores this fleeting history in a carefully choreographed sequence that guides us through recent decades, highlighting key figures, dance companies, and locations in the development of contemporary Catalan dance. Film installation In Body Present by Isaki Lacuesta plays a central role in the cloister space: the bodies of seven key choreographerdancers directly confront the viewer, representing the different lines of development and milestones achieved throughout the period in question.

Porcelain Treasures

Un jardí singular: Ceràmica d’Iznik, segles XVI i XVII. El Museu de Ceràmica. Palau Reial de Pedrables, until March 3rd, 2013. www.museuceramica.bcn.es

The latter half of the fifteenth century saw the rise of the Ottoman Court, and along with it flourished a

Elsewhere, the body provides a fitting metaphor in articulating the development of dance, starting at the feet (the historic roots), followed by the torso (the environment that has shaped dance), the hands (an A-Z of key facts, figures and allied arts), and finally the faces (the who’s who in the history of Catalan dance). This, together with examples of costumes, shoes and other dancerelated paraphernalia, makes for an interesting exhibition and a well-rounded summary of the art form here in Catalunya over the past 50 years.

revival of artistic expression and craftsmanship. One of the results of this renaissance was the development of the highly developed form of ceramic production known as Iznik, named after the town where it was produced in what is now western Turkey. El Museu de Ceràmica has put together an exhibition of Iznik pottery, on loan from the Fundació Calouste Gulbenkian in Lisboa and from private collections. Highly valued for its floral forms and rich colours, viewers will have a rare opportunity to come into contact with these beautiful and unique ceramic works of art. A history of the long tradition of floral design in ceramic work and textiles will accompany the pieces on display.

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IDEAS: FILM & PHOTOGRAPHY 29

Fatima encounters her son Zayed, injured during 2011 protests in Yemen

Great Italian cinema, right in our own back yard. Mostra de Cinema Italià

Mirror on the world Bombarded by images in our daily lives, one must be discerning when deciding what to let through. We offer two suggestions that are well worth the time. By Lynn Baiori

he Verdi Cinemas never fail to attract attention. What’s more, the ticket lines are still forming on Friday and Saturday night, despite higher ticket prices, higher unemployment figures

and the closing of two important original version film houses—

n article in last month’s issue of Barcelona Metropolitan

Casablanca and Renoir-Les Corts. Keeping its momentum flowing,

looked at the emergence of a then nascent area of

this month Cines Verdi co-hosts the first edition of the ‘Mostra de

journalistic reporting, through the eyes of the foreign

Cinema Italià de Barcelona’—un Festival de Festivales—a new

journalists who covered the Spanish Civil War. Over the years,

vehicle which will transport the Verdi and Barcelona to centre stage

photojournalism has developed as a means of documentation and

in the diffusion of Italian cinema in Spain.

as a narrative tool responsible for raising social consciousness by

Organised by the Instituto Luce Cinecittà, the programme includes

holding a mirror to the world. The World Press Photo exhibition

eight full-length films and eight shorts, in addition to three special

reflects what is outstanding in photojournalism today.

projections. Presenting the films will be the actors and directors

Barcelona based La Fundacíon Photographic Social Vision and the

involved in their production, who will bring to the festival their

CCCB are presenting this year’s World Press Photo 2012. Under the

personal vision of current Italian cinema.

heading of Sensitive Material, the exhibition brings world events and

The films chosen for this first edition have been previously included

personal stories to centre stage with 156 photos outstanding for their

in the Cannes, Locarno, Venecia, Toronto and London film festivals.

aesthetic excellence as well as their capacity to trigger an emotional

Films by notable directors such as Bernardo Bertolucci, Ferzan

response in the viewer—photos that are often one of the few

Ozpetek (who will be present to inaugurate the festival with his film

sources of truth in a world where images are too often manipulated

Magnifica Presenza), Marco Tullio Giordana, and Guiseppe Piccioni

or censored. Last year’s exhibition pulled in 35,159 viewers to this

share the program with emerging talents such as Nina Fuksas,

singular exhibition, considered to be the most important display of

Leonardo Di Costanzo, Edoardo Gabbriellini and David Maria

award-winning photography in the world, covering social, political,

Putortí.

cultural and sporting events.

The public will have an opportunity to view Roberto Rossellini’s

This year’s winner of the World Press Photo of the year is the

1950 classic Stromboli, restored for the large screen, which stars

Catalan photojournalist, Samuel Aranda, whose documentation of

Rossellini’s future wife, Ingrid Bergman. Along with Stromboli, the

the violence in Yemen under the autocratic rule of former President

documentary, La guera de los volcanes by Francesco Patierno offers

Ali Abdullah Saleh is so poignantly illustrated in his portrait of Fatima

an interesting narrative to accompany Rosselini’s relationship with

al-Qaws embracing her son Zayed as he suffered the effects of

Bergman and his ex-lover, the equally magnificent, Anna Magnani,

tear gas while participating in anti-government protests last year

who was jilted in favour of Bergman. The explosive confrontation

(pictured above). The image, often compared to Michelangelo’s La

between Rosselini and Magnani, who were both simultaneously

Pietà, has since become a timeless message of solidarity in the face

filming on the island of Stromboli—Rossellini was there directing

of overwhelming suffering.

Bergman who not only got Magnani’s lover but her part in the picture as well—proves that the line separating myth from ordinary

World Press Photo 2012

existence is as thin as celluloid, particularly in Italian cinema.

November 29th, 2012 until January 6th, 2013 Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)

Mostra de Cinema Italià de Barcelona - MCIB

Montalegre 5

December 14th-18th Cinemes Verdi and Auditori de La Pedrera

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ART: POLLOCK 31

Painting (Silver over Black, White, Yellow and Red)

Untitled

POLLOCK’s Legacy

Action and reaction combine in a burst of creative energy. By Jordi de Nadal

arcelona is a city where you need to read the exhibition titles carefully. So if it says ‘Explosion! The legacy of Jackson Pollock’, do not expect a large selection of works by Pollock (1912-1956) himself. Bearing that in mind, you are however offered an interesting show, well researched, and well presented by curator Magnus af Petersens, from the Moderna Museet Stockholm—which is coproducing it with Fundació Miró. The key to the show it that the paintings you can now see on the wall were in fact created by laying them on the floor. Back in the late 1940’s, Pollock decided to randomly dip paint while walking on and around the canvas, in a kind of dance driven by chance and instinct. The outcome was clear: the picture was no more a framed representation of reality, but the result of an act of free action. The reaction to these “action paintings” by Pollock and fellow American Expressionists was both prompt and far reaching, not at least thanks to the works of the new mass media. Soon after, French Yves Klein was making “body imprints” with nude models leaving a ghostly mark on the canvas with their bodies previously covered in paint; Lynda Benglis decided to spare the canvas, and pour directly from the can onto the floor; in Germany, Sweden, the UK and Austria these and more poignant types of “happenings” flourished, and canvases got shot, fired, and even pissed on. In Japan, some of the most extreme practitioners banded together in the Gutai group, specifically featured in the show. Why was the response so quick and so international? Where did all the energy come from? Petersens gives you an answer in his essay for the exhibition’s catalogue: “The awareness of the horrors of war, the Holocaust and the atom bomb made it impossible to go on creating art as though nothing had happened”. If the menace was global, and felt

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as a certainty, the response needed to be global too, and urgently put in place. If the atomic bomb reaped boundless destruction, the artist needed to advocate for boundless creation. Here is perhaps where the real value of this show lies. It acts as a mirror, showing you how some assumptions we now take for granted (unbridled action as a form of freedom, internationalism as a token of truthfulness), took root, just two generations ago, in that old, persistent way of human creativity we call painting. And, noteworthy, it comes some weeks before Tate Modern in London opens ‘A Bigger Splash. Painting after Perfomance’ (November 14th to April 1st), which, as its title says, shares common ground with the show in the Miró. “I am very happy to see this exhibition in the Fundació Miró”, Petersens told me in a brief exchange after the press tour. He was referring to the fact that Pollock found inspiration in pre-war Surrealism, and that Miró’s “destruction of the painting” during the 1930’s could be seen as a precedent. You can see some of that in the excellent permanent collection of the Fundació itself, which you can access directly from the last room of the temporary exhibition. Just ask for a combination ticket at the front desk.

Explosion! The Legacy of Jackson Pollock Fundació Miró, until February 24th, 2013 €7 (temporary exhibition); €10 (temporary + permanent exhibition) Catalogue: Magnus af Petersens, Julia Robinson, Ming Tiampo, Explosió! El llegat de Jackson Pollock (texts in Catalan, Spanish and English), Fundació Miró, 2012; 212 pages, €35. www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org

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32 IDEAS: GASTRONOMY

south american way A taste of Peru at Tanta. By Tara Stevens. Photos by Richard Owens

✪ - NOT WORTH THE TRIP, ✪✪ - COULD IMPROVE, ✪✪✪ - GOOD, ✪✪✪✪ - VERY GOOD, ✪✪✪✪✪ - NOT TO BE MISSED

t struck me as I perused the online menu before heading to Tanta that I had little idea of what many of the dishes were, which naturally made the prospect of going all the more exciting. That, and the fact Tanta is the latest venture of Gastón Acurio, the wunderkind of modern Peruvian cooking. In his native South America, Acurio’s restaurant empire covers everything from ceviche, to street food, to the new wave. Here in Barcelona, he’s squeezed a little bit of everything into a space described as a ‘Peruvian bistro’, though honestly, that’s not the word I’d use to describe it. There is a swanky bar at the entrance serving excellent Pisco Sours (€7 for a small, €11 for a large) that reaches back into a sleek dining room; all slate-grey wall panels, wine-coloured concrete floors and a lushly planted terrace. It’s trendy in that impersonal, minimalist kind of a way, and over-lit to the point that we had to direct one of the wall lamps away from us, which killed the mood somewhat. As for service, think sweet but slow with occasional rabbit-caught-in-headlights moments. A case in point: we ordered a couple of croquettes de aji de gallina, based on the Peruvian favourite of chicken stewed with walnuts, parmesan, evaporated milk and the mild aji amarillo (yellow chillies) to snack on with our Pisco Sours while we browsed the menu. This caused great confusion—our menus and wine glasses were whipped away—and when the croquettes arrived crisply fried on the outside, but cold from the fridge in the middle, I suspected they’d been cooked in panic to get them out on time with the drinks. Clearly, cocktails and snacking are not

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the norm. Later when we’d retrieved our menus and tableware and moved on to the actual dinner, all the dishes arrived at once like a Chinese buffet. Teething problems perhaps, but Tanta is too expensive to be skimping on dining room logistics or logic. Well, the great thing about Peruvian cooking is that it has a wanton disregard for food snobbery. So while there are plenty of foodie-pleasing obscure potato and tuber varieties, unheard of chilli peppers, and a profusion of fish and seafood, it also embraces condensed milk, Thousand Island dressing and mayonnaise with gusto. Indeed, squiggles of the stuff appear everywhere. Whether this is line chef gone mad with a squeezy bottle, or a quirk of Peruvian gastronomy it’s hard to say, but on the whole I liked the food. It was fun, different and made for sharing. We nibbled on excellent tender potato bread rolls with a dish of sunshiny tomato and pineapple salsa and scanned the menu ordering anything that sounded strange and wonderful. First up, causa limeña - a stack of mashed yellow potatoes the colour of egg yolks topped with bonito belly, half a soft boiled egg, a dollop of mayo and a couple of leaves of fried parsley. It was a pretty little thing, yet had that comforting quality that makes you feel you’re being properly fed. Ceviche criollo, by contrast, was light and bright, proffering firm, fresh chunks of corvina (a meaty white fish that folks in South America love) with a hefty chilli kick that was contrasted brilliantly by crunchy giant corn nibs. It knocked our socks off, but so it should at €23 a full portion. Tiradito nikkei – essentially sashimi with bold flavours piled on top—was fussier, comprised of thin

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IDEAS: GASTRONOMY 33

slivers of tuna ‘lacquered’ in honey and passion fruit and finished with a flourish of Thousand Island dressing. For me this final addition made it too sweet, but underneath is was all good. Watanes, were less successful. So far as I can tell, they are but fried wantons stuffed with pork and prawns, which at Tanta you dip in tamarind sauce. They were fine—probably good with a Pisco Sour now I come to think of it—but paled in comparison with the anticuchos (grilled skewers) of beef heart that were richly spiced, pinkly juicy and served in confident chunks rather than unsure slivers. Served on a mound of tender, braised white corn to sop up the juices and raw onions for zing, this is just the kind of honest cooking and bold flavours that make good food great. Indeed where Tanta is good it’s very, very good; it just needs to find its feet.

Tanta, Córsega 235, tel. 93 667 4372, www.tantabcn.com Open daily 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-midnight. Approx €50 per head for a mid-sized Pisco Sour, several shared plates, and a bottle of wine ✪✪✪

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34 IDEAS: GASTRONOMY

quick bites Best of bistro By Tara Stevens Photos by Markus Kreutzer

Simple elegance and great food make L’Office a great place to gather

here are few places in Barcelona that call to mind a true Parisian bistro but L’Office is among them, and I can’t think of anywhere better to gather with friends for a pre-Christmas blowout. Like the bistros of yore, it is tightly packed, casually decorated—the main point of interest being a giant portrait of a pig—and brimming over with the kind of jolly bonhomie that makes old-school bistros such wonderful places in the first place. They run a tight ship too, with Chef Jerome in the kitchen and just one waiter to cover the floor, but it works like a dream. There’s a lot to be said for an uncomplicated menu that is full of things you want to eat, like pork terrine, truffled eggs and steak tartar, especially when matched to an equally short, mainly French wine list that isn’t insanely expensive: a very good Guy Amiot & Fils Pinot Noir from Burgundy, for example, costs €26. Around us a largely Catalan clientele tucked in. There were a trio of enthusiastic octogenarians in the corner, a well-heeled gent with a much younger lady sipping champagne, a group of friends celebrating Friday, and each and every one of them drinking deeply from the cup of life. Which is just how it should be, and in that respect L’Office is fabulously French, offering solid, unpretentious food in a place

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where you come to have a good time rather than earnestly discuss the merits of every ingredient on your plate. I started with a bowl of lightly steamed and salted veggies with a side of caper mayo. Simple yes, but taut and tasty as if they’d been plucked from the ground that morning, followed by a juicy pink hunk of onglet (the deeply flavourful cut of beef from the diaphragm) drizzled with a rich wine and shallot sauce, a scoop of buttery mash and a pile of gently wilted spinach. I wish I’d had room for the trio of French cheeses or a slice of clafoutis with apples and Calvados, but that’s for next time. For now, it was the most enjoyable lunch I’d had in ages and good value when you’re eating at this level. If you pass by during the week, Jerome offers a daily bistro classic for €12: among other things Bouef Bourgogne on Tuesdays and Blanquette de Veux on Thursdays. Until 2013 then...Happy Christmas one and all.

L’Office Carrer Villaroel 227, 93 444 2288, www.officebcn.com. Open Mon 1.30pm-4pm, Tue to Sat 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-midnight. Closed Sun. 2 courses €22, 3 courses €28 not including wine.

11/21/12 1:01:04 PM

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11/20/12 11:51:01 AM

36 FOOD & DRINK

Food&Drink For more in food&drink visit our online directory www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/eating-and-drinking

NEFW &D IN

under 20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | over 40 RV Reservation Advised | NEW in food & drink this month

*READER DISCOUNT

* Discount for Metropolitan readers.

Bar SUB ROSA BAR

€1 beer Red Rocket was opened in 2008 and has become the €6 mixes cradle of musicians and DJs in rock scene here in Barcelona. They offer the most authentic rock sessions with top DJ’s in a friendly and authentic environment. Metropolitan readers get fantastic drink offers like 1 beers from 8pm until 10pm and 6 mixed drinks.

Rauric 23 | Metro Liceu I Opens at 8pm

Calle Codols 21, Ciutat Vella | Metro Drassanes | www.facebook.com/bar.redrocket Open every day 7.30pm-10pm

Be cool

BOLLOCKS BAR4Barri gÒtic

BeCool offers a great mix of Electronic, Indie & Rock music from Thursday to Saturday with a regular line up of live concerts by local & international artists. Main Room: Electro & Techno. Sala Redrum: Indie Electro Rock.

The quintessential rock bar in downtown Barcelona. Covered in posters and grafﬁti from top to bottom, the bar has the air of an abandoned subway station where daily riffs and whiskey bring together all those who carry rock & roll in their blood.

Joan Llongueras 5 I Metro L5 Hospital clinic I Tel. 93 362 0413

Ample 46 | Metro Jaume I | Every day 7pm-3am Tel. 663 710 095 | www.bollocksbcn.com

NEVERMIND4Barri gÒtic

Rubi BAR

Nevermind is a cult place for those looking for a more alternative scene in touristy Barcelona. Mixing large amounts of grunge music, grafﬁ tti and urban sports, they serve up amazing cocktails, special! house shots, cheap beer, Happy Hour till 10pm, free freshly-made popcorn, authentic decoration, skate videos and much more.

Food & drink Dec 2012.indd 44

RED ROCKET4Barri gÒtic

This cute little bar is a bundle of fun and has an energetic buzz from the mixed crowd of locals and tourists enjoying their fantastic cocktails and shots. Their fresh fruit cocktails are very potent making this a great pre-club place to hang out with friends and warm up for a big night out on the town. A visit to the bathrooms is a must!

Mojitos €3.50 Located near the church of Santa Maria del Mar in the Born, this friendly bar has a great vibe and a fantastic playlist with prices that won’t destroy you. They serve the best mojitos in town and have a selection of fun and interesting Asian tapas. Hendricks Gin and all the rest for 5, food from 3 to 4.

Escudellers Blancs 3, 08002 | www.nevermindbcn.com | Open every day from 7pm

Banys Vells 6 I Opens at 8pm

ANDú

SWEET REBEL BAR4Barri gÒtic

Andú offers an escape from Barcelona’s mayhem, without sacrificing the fun. The cool music and relaxed vibe draws a diverse and bohemian crowd making it a warm and spirited bar full of animated locals enjoying a great wine list and classic Spanish tapas, including fantastic Catalan cheeses and hams.

Located in the heart of the Gothic quarter, this cool ‘beach bar’ is the place to enjoy the sweetest reggae music 365 days a year. Chill out with a beer or try a Jamaican cocktail made from natural fruits and sweet rum. Its comfortable surroundings and ambiance. make it a great place to relax. Beers 2 Cocktails 5.

Correo Viejo I Metro Jaume 1 I Tel. 646 553 930 Mon-Sun 6pm -2.30am

Ample 54 | Open every day from 7pm-3am

Barraval4Raval

MANCHESTER BAR4Barri gÒtic

Barraval is located at the top of the Rambla de Raval where they have a fantastic terrace for you to enjoy great, seasonal Mediterranean food. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have a live DJ so you can enjoy tasty cocktails in a trendy atmosphere. Weekend menu 12.95

Manchester Bar brings together friends and music fans to enjoy great tunes from the Eighties and Nineties. From Joy Division to Placebo to The Smiths and all the way through to the Happy Mondays, Manchester Bar has it all. A must-visit place for anyone who knows and loves their music!

Hospital, 104 (Rambla del Raval) | Liceu / Sant Antoni | T. 93 329 8277 M. 609 221 400 | Wed-Sat 7.30pm-2.30am, Sat-Sun open at 1pm for lunch | RV

Milans 5 | Metro Jaume I | Every day 7pm-3am Tel. 627 733 081 | www.manchesterbar.com

vinda

SUGAR BAR

Vinda is a fantastic Mexican bar and restaurant that is famous for its amazing margaritas, daiquiris and mojitos. Located in the heart of the Gothic quarter, they offer an incredible selection of Mexican dishes and tapas that will put you in the mood for an unforgettable night out on the town.

Tuesday Located in the back streets of Placa Reial this small special bar is renouned for its huge personality and fun vibe. offers The friendly bar staff dish out great mojitos that don’t cost a mint. Good tune selections, happy hour until 11pm and great mingling opportunities make Sugar a sweet spot.

Regomir 4 I Metro Jaume 1 I Tel. 93 319 8956 Mon-Sun 6pm -2am I vindabar@gmail.com

Rauric 21 | Metro Liceu I Opens at 8pm

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FOOD & DRINK 37 Bagel BE MY BAGEL 4grÀcia

FABULA4 POBlE SEc

Do you dream of great bagels? Then Be My Bagel is the right place for you. They sell authentic bagels from Barcelona, just how you like them. They have an extensive range of bagels and cakes, from the more classic choices such as poppy and multigrain to delicious and innovative chocolate, almond and coconut bagels—you’ll not come away disappointed.

SPECIAL OFFER

Located in a trendy new area of the city, this restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine. They have a great three-course menu del día for 10.20 (and at night you can enjoy traditional Spanish dishes and half rations from la carta.) Their special ‘afterwork’ offer lets you enjoy two excellent promotions: A glass of wine together with a special Fabula toast for 4.50, and/or a glass of cava (Brut Nature) alongside a duo of salmon and anchovies for 5. They also have a private room that is available for group bookings.

Planeta 37 (Pl. del Sol) I Metro Fontana and Gràcia I Tel. 93 518 7151 I bemybagel@gmail.com Open Mon-Fri 9.30-2pm and 5pm-8.30pm, Sat 10am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm, Sun 10.30am-2pm

Parlament 1 | Metro Poble Sec | Tel. 93 292 6209 info@restaurantefabula.es www.restaurantefabula.es

Burger PIM PAM BURGER4BOrN

VITALI PIZZA4 BarcElONa

Here quality is of the upmost importance, making it the best burger and frankfurter take-away in town. Special hamburgers, chicken burgers, bratwurst, frankfurters, home-made chips and stroganoff are also available and are all prepared on the premises.

SPECIAL OFFER 2x1

Gourmet pizza delivery from three locations offering 50+ thin-crust, homemade pizzas. With specials like three large cheese pizzas for 15 and the option to pay by credit card, it makes for an affordable meal at home without all the fuss. Special offer: 2x1 on every Monday home delivery!

Paris 109 I Metro Hospital Clinic Tel. 93 444 4737 Rosselló 270 I Tel. 93 458 0710 Taxdirt 13 I Metro Joanic/Gràcia Tel. 93 285 41 95 www.vitalipizza.com

Sabateret 4 - Bor I Metro Jaume I Tel. 93 315 2093 I burger@pimpamplats.com Calle Bigai 1, Bonanova, 08022 I Tel. 93 211 5606 www.pimpamburger.com I Every day 1pm-12am

Cocktails PALAU DALMASES COCKTAIL BAR4 Barri gÒtic

LOS CARACOLES4 Barri gÒtic

Located on Carrer Montcada, just by the Picasso Museum, the Dalmases Palace is one of the most notable city palaces from the 16th century. This gorgeous palace of Baroque inﬂuence is a testimony to the artistic, political and cultural life of Catalunya. With live music every day it’s the perfect place to drink a cocktail and enjoy their live ﬂamenco, opera and jazz show starting at 9.30pm.

Montcada 20 I Tel. 93 310 0673 espaibarroc@gmail.com I Open every day from 8pm

NEFW &D IN

In 1835, the Bofarull family founded one of the most charismatic restaurants in the city. Over time, the restaurant was renamed in honour of one of it’s most famous dishes, Los Caracoles (snails). It has always been a hangout for famous personalities from the world of art, show business, politics, and ﬁnance attracted not only by the choice of culinary delights served, but also by the charm of its numerous little corners steeped in history! Private dining. Different set menus for groups. Escudellers 14 I Metro Liceu I Tel. 93 301 2041 loscaracoles@loscaracoles.es I www.loscaracoles.es Kitchen open every day from 1.15pm-12am

Delivery LILIBURGER4 EiXaMPlE

FREE

You can choose from four DELIVERY types of burger: classic, cheeseburger, barbecue as well as bacon cheese, for 8 to 9.50. Sides include fries, bbq chicken wings, chicken nuggets and salads. Free delivery.

Tel. 93 458 0710 I Tue-Sun 1pm-4pm and 7pm-11pm www.liliburger.com

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11/21/12 11:31:54 AM

38 FOOD & DRINK Japanese - Sushi

Juice bar SUSHIEXPRESS4EIXAMPLE

SANO 4grÀcia Barri gÒtic - SaNtS

If you want to enjoy the best sushi service in the city, this is your place! Sushiexpress takes great pride in using top quality ingredients to ensure excellent sushi. They deliver to your home or hotel. You can choose individual pieces of maki, nigiri, sashimi, temaki, menus, combos, and other Japanese specialties from an extensive menu on their website. If you eat at any of their locations at noon the menus are accompanied by a free drink.

Want a healthy, tasty alternative? Try a refreshing smoothie like Antioxidant, Mango & Passion Fruit or Coco Muesli ( 3.80) or a delicious juice made only with fresh blended fruit and no added water, milk or sugar ( 3.60). Can’t decide? Try one of their convenient combos from 4.50.

Consell de Cent 255, 08011 | Tel. 93 451 5454 Open Mon-Sat 12pm-4pm, 7pm-11pm Sun12-3pm, 7pm-11pm 365days/year! Delivery 1pm-3pm, 8pm-10.30pm

Calle Santaló 55, 08021 Tues-Sat 9pm-3am Tel. 93 200 9293 www.sushiexpress.net

Indian TOYO - SUSHI TRAIN4grÀcia

NAMASTE4EIXAMPLE E

Among the youth it’s the most sought after Sushi Train Restaurant in Barcelona. It’s the absolute place to be if you’re in with the in crowd and always packed ﬁve minutes after opening. It has a quality buffet with super fresh food prepared daily, Toyo is the place to go. Not only do they have a huge amount of different types of dishes, but you can also eat as much as your heart desires. Choose what you like while it passes in front of you, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great service. Toyo gives you amazing food for a good price. The midday menu is only 10 and the evening one is 15.

Namaste was the first Indian restaurant in Barcelona. You will be able to enjoy authentic North Indian food in a lavish and exotically decorated interior. The secret of Namaste’s rich and authentic cuisine lies in the finest selection of delicate condiments cooked by professional Indian chefs, using the Tandoor cylindrical oven of Northern India—the best oven for keeping the juices and flavours of cooked food. Namaste has also carefully selected the best wines to accompany Indian food, including Indian wines. For beer lovers, Namaste has a wide range of European brands and Indian beers and liquors.

Torrent del Olla 10 | Tel. 93 459 2630 www.restaurantetoyo.com Open 1.30pm-4pm, 8.30pm-Midnight Closed Mon night

Villarroel 70 | Tel. 93 451 4027 www.restaurantenamaste.com Open 1pm-4 pm, 8pm-12pm

Italian TRATORIA 4cUitaDElla vila OliMPica

SAKURA-YA4lES cOrtS Sakura-Ya is a serene-yet-busy little joint that combines a Japanese restaurant, bar, souvenir shop and food store. Located in L’illa shopping centre, at lunchtime it offers the very best traditional Japanese cuisine and take-away. The quality of the food is excellent, and so is the service. SakuraYa deﬁnitely lives up to its standards, so whenever you are in the mood for some shopping and good food, treat yourself to a Sakura-Ya experience.

This new stylish and sophisticated restaurant presents the best of Italian cuisine with an international touch, based on extensive experience from working in London, New York and Miami. Whether you’re looking for a place to go with friends or your date after catching a film at the nearby Yelmo Icaria, or starting your evening out at the Port Olympic with an unbeatable value meal, La Trattoria del Mare is the place to go.

Diagonal 557, 08029 | Metro Mª Cristina/Les Corts Tel. 93 405 2645/93 430 48 90 | Fax. 93 430 3743 Restaurant Mon-Thurs 1pm-5pm, 6pm-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-9.30pm Shop Mon-Sat 9.30am-9.30pm

Avinguda d’Icària 132 | Tel. 93 221 9369 Metro Ciutadella Vila Olimpica www.trattoriadelmarebarcelona.com

Thai ICHO4lES cOrtS Icho restaurant blends authentic Japanese cooking with the best Mediterranean products. This is an unequalled, exquisite and innovative gastronomic option, totally unique in Barcelona. The tasting menu is pure gastronomy fantasy—you will delight in an emotional journey beyond your senses. This restaurant breaks the mould of the existing impressions of modern Japanese gastronomy in Spain.

Deu i Mata 69-95, 08029 | Metro Maria Cristina Tel. 93 444 3370 | reserves@ichobcnjapones.com www.ichobcnjapones.com Mon-Sat ,1.30pm-4pm and 9pm-11.30pm

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THAI GRACIA4grÀcia Expect authentic ingredients all imported from Thailand and cooked by experienced Thai chefs. The Pad Thai and green and yellow curries have excellent subtle ﬂavours. Simply delicious! The special tasting menu for 21 is a huge hit and allows you to try all the exotic dishes Thai Gracia has to offer. An affordable 12 menú del día is available during the week. The warm hospitality and attention to detail to every dish at Thai Gracia will keep you coming back for more.

Còrsega 381 | Metro Verdaguer / Girona Tel. 93 459 3591 | www.restaurante-thai-gracia.com Every day 1pm-4pm, 8pm-12am | RV

11/21/12 11:32:02 AM

FOOD & DRINK 39 Mediterranean BARNABIER4POrt OlÍMPic

JUICY JONES 4Barri gÒtic

Located at the base of the Mapfre tower at Port Olimpic Barnabier specialise in Mediterranean cuisine, paellas, fresh seafood, tapas and have a great list of international beers. Their fantastic menu also includes salads, grilled meat and pasta with something to suit all tastes. For group reservations consult their website for the complete menu.

Barcelona’s emblematic juice bar now also serves vegan breakfast that includes tortilla de patata, muesli with raw cashew yogurt, mufﬁns, wafﬂes, coffee and tea. Chill out in the bar for smoothies or enjoy a sandwich or a full meal in the restaurant. Three course Menú del día for only 8.50!

Marina 16 | Metro Port Olimpic Tel. 93 221 0212 | www.barnabier.com

PATXOCA 4BOrN

Cardenal Casañas 7 | Metro Liceu | Tel. 93 302 4330 Every day 10am-midnight

Vietnamese

This fantastic restaurant has tapas and traditional dishes that use local and seasonal produce, including vegetarian options, all prepared in a home-cooking style. Enjoy a daily menu from Monday till Saturday, and brunch on Sunday! Patxoca also has a beautiful terrace on a pedestrianised street, with a child’s play area just next door. They don’t use MSG.

Tel. 93 319 2029 | Mercaders 28 Close to Santa Caterina market Mon-Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-3pm, 8pm-midnight

MAGNOLIA 4 Barri gÒtic In the heart of the Gothic quarter, Magnolia offers exquisite signature cuisine from chef Gianni Fusco at affordable prices. With its warm and loungy interior, it is the place of choice at any time of the day. During the week, breakfast and lunch menus attract huge crowds thanks to their great quality and reasonable prices. During the afternoon, clients can choose from a variety of tapas or enjoy mojitos for just 3.50. Breakfast from 2.70, Lunch from 9. Dinner menu 17.95 (Sun-Thurs) 25 (Fri-Sat) Ciutat 5 | Metro Jaume I | 93 304 2376 | 691 504 942 noche@magnoliabarcelona.com | www.magnoliabarcelona.com | www.facebook.com/magnolia.rna Mon-Thurs 9am-1am, Fri 9am-3am, Sat 1pm-3am, Sun 1pm-1am

Vegetarian AMALTEA4EiXaMPlE E

Visit Amaltea vegetarian restaurant, where a warm and welcoming environment allows you to fully enjoy a tasty and healthier alternative to your everyday meal. Dishes include cereals, pulses and vegetables with home-made puddings. The cuisine is creatively international with care taken to ensure that each meal is well-balanced and made with the freshest ingredients. Menu of the day 10.70, night and weekend menu 15.30. Diputació 164 | Metro Urgell | Tel. 93 454 8613 | www.amalteaygovinda.com Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm, 8pm-11pm, Closed Sun

GOVINDA (VEGETARIAN) 4Barri gÒtic

Founded 25 years ago, Govinda continues to thrive on a blend of experience and fresh innovation in vegetarian Indian cuisine. The international menu features talis, a salad bar, natural juices, lassis, pizzas and crêpes. Govinda offers a vegan-friendly, nonalcoholic and authentically-decorated environment with lunch and weekend menus.

Plaça Villa de Madrid 4-5 | Metro Catalunya | Tel. 93 318 7729 www.amalteaygovinda.com | Tue-Sat 1pm-4pm, 8pm-11am, Sun-Mon 1pm-4pm

JUICY JONES – VEGAN RESTAURANT 4raval Barcelona’s best vegan restaurant , Juicy Jones never compromises on freshness or quality. They serve a range of Mediterranean and Indian cuisine with a funky ambience they also offer a large variety of freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies. Don’t be fooled by imitations. Three course Menú del día for only 8.50! Go Juicy! Hospital 74 | Metro Liceu | Tel. 93 443 9082 Every day 12pm-5pm, 8pm-1am

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BUN BO VIÊTNAM4raval Now you can satisfy your craving for fresh and healthy Vietnamese food in the heart of the Raval. Following the success of their first restaurant next to the Gothic Cathedral, Bun Bo has recently opened a second restaurant on the other side of La Rambla where you can find all your favorite Vietnamese dishes such as prawn and mango salad, savoury pancakes, Vietnamese pork sandwich or a classic chicken or seafood curry. Try their Pho (the house specialty) a traditional soup with flat rice noodles which is jam-packed with fresh vegetables and herbs. If you´re a vegetarian you can also find tasty options like Com voi rau which is fried rice with cauliflower , broccoli , zucchini , carrot & onions under 7. Come for lunch menu. Starter, main , dessert and a drink for only 9.

Dels Angels 6, 08001 | Tel. 93 412 1890 | Fri-Sat 1pm-1am, Sun-Thurs 1pm-12am www.bunbovietnam.com

Cocktails from €3,50

LA VIETNAMITA 4grÀcia La Vietnamita is a new food concept in the heart of Gràcia, offering fresh and healthy Vietnamese inspired cuisine. They serve light and nutritious dishes such as traditional ‘Pho’ soup, the typical rice noodle dish ‘Bun Xiau’ and classic ‘Goi Cuon’ spring rolls. All their dishes are prepared in the moment and served with ingredients that are naturally full of ﬂavour. Veggies and vegans: they have a lot to offer you, too! So what are you waiting for? Torrent de l’Olla 78 | Metro Diagonal | Tel. 93 518 1803 | www.lavietnamita.com

ADDIS ABEBA 4SaNtS This fantastic restaurant offers wholesome food served in the traditional Ethiopian way. Importing fresh ingredients and using top-quality local meat, the food is prepared with an exciting range of over 25 herbs and spices creating an incredible range of tastes and flavours. Their combination plates offer an excellent way for groups to try a variety of dishes to give you the true taste of Ethiopia. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll love the huge selection of dishes on offer too.

Vallespir 44 | Metro Sants Estacio | Tel. 93 409 4037 Mon-Fri 8pm-12am, Sat 2pm-4pm, 8pm-12am

11/21/12 11:32:07 AM

40 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

HAIRDRESSER · BEAUTY

Business directory To advertise in this section, call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See also our online directory at www.barcelona-metropolitan.com Scissors of London BRITISH HAIRDRESSER

Tim aspires to listen to your needs and suggests 20% OFF how they might be met in distinctive and exciting ways. Style is unique and Tim will craft you a look achieving a harmony of shape and style. Tim has been hairdressing for over 12 years. Having trained, taught and worked in London’s top salons including Toni & Guy and Vidal Sassoon. Opting out of salon life, Tim works to fit in with the modern pace of life and offers a one to one service around your needs. Carrer Viladomat 45-47, Atico M. 633 382 787 timbulmer@btinternet.com www.scissorsoﬂdn.com

*READER DISCOUNT

* Discount for Metropolitan readers.

Kinki - HAIRDRESSER Kinki peluqueros is an 15% OFF international hairstyling group from Holland with over 40 salons in their home country. They put their heart and soul into cutting and colouring the most beautiful hairstyles, from the latest trends to classic cuts. If you bring a friend for a full treatment they will give you both a 15% discount and a free glass of cava. English, Spanish, Dutch, German and French speaking. Pintor Fortuny 14, Raval Metro: Catalunya (L1, L3) T. 93 302 3379 www.kinkipeluqueros.es Open Mon 4pm-8pm, Tues-Fri 11am-9pm, Sat 10.30am-8pm

La Hair Boutique -

HAIRDRESSER

Trained by Toni & Guy London, Veronique runs a friendly salon with a dedicated team who speak English, Spanish, French and Swedish. La Hair Boutique is a relaxed and cosy salon that offers progressive cuts and colours with great style advice too. They are especially talented at creating new, personalised looks using the latest techniques.

Plaça Regomir 5 Metro: Jaume 1 (L4). T. 93 269 1937 M. 699 643 462 www.hairboutiquebarcelona.com

The Vital Touch Anthony Llobet English Hair Salon - HAIRDRESSER Don’t let your Spanish come between you and your hair. Anglo-Catalan Anthony Llobet has over 20 years’ experience in hairstyling and a passion for excellent client service. Anthony leads a dedicated team of stylists who specialise in a variety of services, including Afro hair, extensions, straightening and make-up (and speak over 11 languages between them). The original retro interior and friendly staff create a very special atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy a stylish cut. Put your trust in Anthony and the team, who are strongly committed to providing you with outstanding service at affordable prices. Barceloneta, Almirall Churruca 8 T. 93 221 1612 / M. 619 224 695 Gràcia, Ros de Olano 19 T. 93 218 0449 / M. 692 371 307 Raval, Sant Pau 122 T. 93 441 3177 / M. 692 371 308 El Born, Carders 34 T.93 295 4871 / M. 692 371 404 Gòtic, Avinyó 34 T. 93 301 4513 / M. 692 371 405 www.anthonyllobet.com

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MASSAGE

*READER DISCOUNT

The Vital Touch Massage Clinic helps stressed women and men, to relax, energise, re-balance and improve their health and lifestyle with a therapeutic, holistic full-body massage. - Deep tissue massage with Japanese acupressure points. - Helps relieve tension, reduces stress and removes physical strains. - Hot stone massage also available - Central Barcelona location. *10% off for Metropolitan readers. M. 659 995 657 nunu@thevitaltouch.es www.tvtbarcelona.com

11/21/12 11:27:17 AM

VETERINARY CLINIC · LIFE COACHING · CHEMIST · DOCTORS · DENTISTS

VeterCat Melisa Oddo

Natalie Jovanic - LIFE COACHING

The best at-home veterinary care for your pet in the province of Barcelona. French and English-speaking veterinarian. Vaccination, general medicine, behaviour problems, emergencies, etc. Thanks to her love for animals, Melisa Oddo offers you the best vet service in your home. Try it for yourself and be impressed.

Are fears controlling your life? Are you overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions such as sadness or shame? You can break free of this vicious circle. Contact me today and I will accompany you on your journey to help you find the freedom and empowerment to live your authentic life. You will feel happier and energized with more self-esteem. I offer coaching for individuals and relationship coaching.

M. 620 157 753 melisa@vetercat.es www.vetercat.es

M. 693 236 929 nataliej@jovanic-coaching.com www.jovanic-coaching.com

HOME VET CARE

Pharmacy Serra Mandri

CHEMIST

The helpful and qualified pharmaceutical staff at this wellknown Barcelona chemist can help and advise each client to ensure they get exactly what they need. They also stock a great range of products, including homeopathy, natural medicine, aromatherapy and organic cosmetics. The pharmacy is open 365 days a year and also offers a home delivery service.

Dr. Steven Joseph - DOCTOR Established in 2005, Googol Medical Centre offers its patients comprehensive healthcare in a friendly, discreet and relaxed environment. UK doctor Steven Joseph provides a wide range of medical care for the English-speaking community in Barcelona with access to all medical specialties and tests. His practice includes mental health.

Av. Diagonal 478 Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5) Chemist T. 93 416 1270 Homeopathy T. 93 217 3249 Open every day 9am-10pm

Gran Via Carles III nº-37-39 Metro: Les Corts (L3) T. 93 330 2412 M. 627 669 524 stevedoc1965@gmail.com www.googolmedicalcentre.com Open Mon-Sat

Mary D. McCarthy - DOCTOR

Sanz Pancko Dental Clinic -

Feel confident with Dr. Mary McCarthy, an American-trained doctor for adults. A native English speaker with over 20 years’ experience in Barcelona, Dr. McCarthy offers professional, private health care. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and is also certified as a Specialist by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

DENTIST

Sanz Pancko Dental Clinic in Barcelona provides excellent oral care in an English speaking environment. Dr. Nancy Pancko, an American dentist trained at Columbia University in New York, is a board-certified orthodontist. Dr. Javier Sanz is an American boardcertified periodontist and implantologist that lectures on periodontal technological advancements and leads research projects at the university. Together, they provide comprehensive and affordable dental care.

Aribau 215 Pral. 1a T. 93 200 2924 M. 607 220 040 FGC Diagonal or Gràcia

Rogent 40, local 2, 08026 T. 93 246 9043 www.clinicadentalsyp.com Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm

Dr. Christian Eickhoff deutsche zk - DENTIST

Clínica Caballero Friedlander - DENTIST

Highly recommended among the international SPECIAL OFFER community, they use the latest in dental technology like digital prosthetics and orthodontics. The whole German team is English speaking and the doctor has an American training in implantology and orthodontics. Check-ups and X-rays are free. Centrally located.

If you’ve always wanted to have a beautiful smile, but don’t want to wear visible metal braces, they have the solution for you. They’ll be pleased to help by creating an ideal treatment concept for you using Incognito® invisible lingual braces or invisalign® clear braces. Call them for a free evaluation visit:

Consell de Cent 249, bajos Metro Universitat (L1/L2) T. 93 323 9629 info@deutsche-zk.com

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BUSINESS DIRECTORY 41

Puigmarti 33, Local 2 T. 93 237 0287 info@clinicacf.com www.ortodoncia-barcelona.com www.clinicacf.com

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42 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

DENTISTS · ACUPUNCTURE · HERBAL PRODUCTS · OSTEOPATH · NUTRITIONIST · PSYCHOTHERAPY

Dra. Susana Campi - DENTIST For all your dental needs, a team consisting of our first-class professionals can offer you excellent treatment. We have more than 30 years of experience and are pleased to offer you our services in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Catalan.

Rosselló 95, local, 08029, Barcelona Metro: Hospital Clinic (L5) Entença (L5) T. 93 322 9114 Fax. 93 322 0220 www.clinicadentalcampi.com/ susanacampi1980@gmail.com

InnOrbit - HERBAL PRODUCTS Their infusions taste delicious and complement a healthy lifestyle. They have created four blends using 100 percent naturally-grown herbs and spices. The recipes are based on Ayurvedic medicine and endorsed by modern science. UP&GO: Ideal for sport and exercise. YOUNG&FUN: Enhances memory and promotes concentration. CALM&RELAX: Relieves stress. SLIM&FIT: Helps to maintain a healthy weight.

DENTIST & DENTAL HYGIENIST This eco-friendly clinic promotes great patient care using natural products. The Swedish-trained dentist Dr. Stefan Tingsvall is on hand to provide a very caring way of treating people—he solves the problem and gets the job done. Qualified USA-trained dental hygienist Elena McCarthy provides education on preventive care using effective herbal rinses and essential oils. She also offers the leading teeth whitening treatment ‘Brite Smile’. Castellnou 47 T. 93 205 1903 M. 636 312 522 / 696 664 430 FGC Les Tres Torres (L6) Bus: 16, 30, 66, 70, 72, 74 tingsvall.mccarthy@gmail.com www.tingsvall-mccarthy.com

Tania Spearman -

acupuncture

€15 OFF

Make acupuncture your first choice, not your last resort! Tania is offering all Metropolitan readers a 15 discount on first appointments with this voucher. Acupuncture treats many conditions from pain, stress and depression to fertility and more. Call now to make your appointment or to see if acupuncture is right for you. Tania is a UK university trained acupuncturist with her own clinic in the centre of Barcelona. English, Spanish and German spoken.

T. 93 814 0287 andy@innorbit.com www.innorbit.com

Enric Granados 133, 4-1 bis 08008 M. 644 322 161 info@taniaspearman.com www.taniaspearman.com

Kathryn McConkey -

Nick Cross - PSYCHOLOGIST /

OSTEOPATH

Kathryn McConkey is a fully-qualified, English- (and Spanish-) speaking osteopath in Barcelona, based at Aralia Centre Mèdic, and a member of the Spanish Registrar of Osteopaths. Osteopathy can be beneficial for cases of acute or chronic neck and back pain and tendonitis, as well as for digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia and much more. Treatments are apt for all age groups, including children and the elderly.

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Nick Cross is a registered psychologist, specialising in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can help you with the causes of distress and unhappiness and it provides treatment for anxiety, fears, relationship difficulties, depression, problems adjusting, loss and trauma.

M. 609 143 690 mcconkey.katy@gmail.com

M. 644 193 825 ncross@copc.es

Jonathan Lane Hooker -

Hestia - PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapist

Jonathan Hooker can help if you’re looking for support, guidance or help with any aspect of your life. An English-speaking psychotherapist, counsellor, coach and guide, he is dedicated to helping people make sense of their lives. Jonathan provides one-to-one sessions or workshops for groups of four to 12 people. Metropolitan readers are invited to a free 20-minute introductory meeting.

T. 93 590 7654 M. 639 579 646 jonathan.hooker@yahoo.com www.jonathanhooker.com

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Tingsvall & McCarthy -

The Hestia International Centre of Psychotherapy has become a reference in the city. The professional team work with individuals, couples and families through psychotherapy, coaching, counselling, clinical hypnosis, art therapy, NLP and EMDR. They speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Portuguese and Greek and the first consultation is free.

Passeig Sant Joan 180 Pral 2a Metro: Joanic (L4) T. 93 459 2802 info@hestia.es www.hestia.es

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PSYCHOTHERAPY · MIDWIFE · LASER TREATMENT · INTERIOR DESIGN

Eugenia Espinosa -

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 43

Paloma Azpilicueta -

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapist

Eugenia is a dedicated professional who specialises in psychological issues related to immigration. She offers effective treatment for mood and anxiety disorders as well as couples and family therapy. The first consultation with Eugenia is free.

English-speaking clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. Forty years of professional experience with adults, children and adolescents. She has worked in both the public and private sectors in mental health as well as in education and social issues. Psychodynamic orientation.

M. 677 090 479 genaespinosa@yahoo.com

Barcelona: T. 93 415 6646 Mataro: T. 93 799 6596 solazpi@ya.com www.centrepsicologiamataro.com

Krishinda Powers Duff

Clustermedica Laser treatment

Krishinda is a fully-qualified and trained British midwife offering home birth and home dilatation service. She also provides antenatal and postnatal care and support to mothers and babies for six weeks after birth. She is supported in her practice by a team of Spanish but British-trained midwives and alternative health care professionals as well as a breast feeding consultant/Doula. Midwife means ‘to be with woman’.

The B-Cure laser provides relief and treatment for a wide range of orthopedic problems in the neck, back and joints that generally result from bad posture, excessive use of a computer keyboard or sports injuries. Now you can stop pain and heal the source with just a six-minute treatment, twice a day. It’s ready to use anywhere, lightweight and rechargeable. If you’re suffering from this type of injury, then call now or visit their website for more information.

Bsc Hons - Midwife

M. 665 143 437

Marenostrum Centre de Salut familiar

Fontanella 16 Principal, 08010 krishinda@gmail.com

T. 90 210 6989 Vidal i Guash 13 clustermedica@clustermedica.com www.clustermedica.com

Terraza Barcelona CaRpentry

Find everything you need here!

Dirk has a passion for creating affordable carpentry designs for both interior and exterior spaces. From terrace decks to planters, pergolas to storage sheds, he will impress you with the quality of his work. Wooden furniture for: garden, terrace, balcony, living, bedroom, bathroom, office - you name it, he makes it! Everything is custom made - choose from one of his designs or bring your own ideas. Please contact Dirk for an obligation-free quotation. M. 657 452 279 info@terrazabarcelona.es www.terrazabarcelona.es

Graham Collins Interior Design

In our online directory of English-speaking businesses in Barcelona

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/directory

MP 40-45 Dec 2012.indd 45

Graham Collins is an experienced interior designer and property consultant and can help with everything concerning property, design and decoration. So, whether you need help working out the property market or are looking for someone to renovate your home, Graham is here to help you.

Consolat del Mar 35, 3er Metro: Barceloneta (L4) M. 678 757 511 grahamcollinsbcn@gmail.com www.grahamcollinsbcn.com

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44 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PROPERTY · REMOVALS · LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

Lugaris - PROPERTY

Aspasios Rentals & Services - PROPERTY

The best option to live and work in Barcelona. Brand new, modern furnished and bright apartments. In Poblenou, a few metres from Bogatell beach and very close to the 22@ district. Privileged services such as swimming pool, parking, security, cleaning and free WI-FI, to make your stay more confortable. Use this promotional code to get 10% off your next booking. Code: 20CM12

Staying at Aspasios in Barcelona and Madrid is the perfect way to enjoy Spain. Feel at home in a new city while staying in a luxurious furnished apartment. Aspasios provides accommodation for days, months or years. They offer check-in at any time and day of the year as well as a 24hr phone service. Aspasios has multicultural staff willing to welcome you in different languages.

Vidal y Valenciano, 14 T. 93 221 9159 info@lugaris.com www.lugaris.com

Adriana Romero T. 93 304 1448 info@aspasios.com www.aspasios.com

Spaces for rent - PROPERTY

Van BCN - REMOVALS

Hotel Onix offer a range of rooms and spaces for rent at a low price. Perfect for a variety of classes and events like yoga, theatre, dancing, business meetings, seminars and rehearsals. They have different sized rooms at Liceu, Plaça Catalunya and Plaça Espanya that are both clean and comfortable with central heating, A/C, tables and chairs to suit your needs. You can rent their space by the hour, half or full day, weeks or months. For more information please call Jubran.

VanBCN offers experience, good service and inexpensive rates to make your move or removal safe and easy. Whether you are looking for man with a van for a quick move or if you want to do a complete removal, just call or send your request online. VanBCN adapts its service to your needs. They can pick up your stuff or take it to the port, airport or storage. Deliver home your purchases from IKEA or any other shop. Move your office, your room or your house. Just contact VanBCN. They know how to do it. T. 93 426 7684 M. 647 533 344 www.vanbcn.com

T. 93 303 4154 events@hotelsonix.com

Benjamin Franklin -

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL The Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona offers a differentiated American curriculum from nursery to grade 12, which includes English language preparation for college education, foreign language programs and learning support. It is fully accredited with strong academic programs, such as the American High School Diploma, Spanish Baccalaureate Certificate and the IB Diploma. It also has an active parent-teacher association and a welcoming global community. Martorell i Peña 9 T. 93 434 2380 F. 93 417 3633 www.bﬁschool.org

BCN L.I.P. LANGUAGE SCHOOL

UP TO 40% OFF

BCN L.I.P. Languages is a small school with a warm and welcoming atmosphere in Barcelona’s old town. They offer both intensive and extensive courses and it’s the perfect place to ensure success in your language immersion. The centre is equipped with the most advanced facilities to enable you to succeed in your chosen language.

T. 93 318 6591 info@bcnlip.com www.bcnlip.com

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Versión Original -

Spanish for foreigners

LANGUAGE SCHOOL

5% OFF

The experienced teachers at Versión Original are thrilled to share their enthusiasm for the Spanish language and culture. This small city centre school, with classes of no more than 10 students, is devoted to languages, especially Spanish. There’s a great atmosphere here and a 5% discount for Metropolitan readers.

Gran Via 636, 1o 1a A Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) T. 93 412 4576 info@versionoriginalbcn.com www.versionoriginalbcn.com

One-to-One -

SPANISH CLASSES Learn exactly what you need with one-to-one Spanish classes in the office or at home. Focus your classes on the language and vocabulary that best serves you according to your own personal or professional needs. Business Spanish and small group classes are also available. Get confident in Spanish with Pilar.

M. 610 057 266

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LANGUAGE SCHOOLS · COMPUTERS · TOYSHOP · GRAPHIC DESIGN · SAILING COURSES

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 45

Idiomplus - LANGUAGE SCHOOL FOR COMPANIES

BCN Metropol LANGUAGE SCHOOL

Idiomplus is a language school which provides in-company courses that is distinguished for its innovative learning method. Learn a new language at the same time you make a more advanced use of social media.

Study Spanish in one of Spain’s most established and prestigious language schools. Since 1982 Metropol have provided high-quality language training to students of all nationalities. The school is right in the heart of Barcelona city centre and it’s a great place to learn or improve your Spanish. It’s a popular and specialised school, with more than 27 years of experience and they offer great value Spanish courses for all levels.

Learn languages with a plus with Idiomplus!

T. 93 445 1791 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 583 5ª www.Idiomplus.com info@idiomplus.com

T. 93 301 8241 Pau Claris 87, 1o1a Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4) www.bcnmetropol.com

Geo Mac - COMPUTERS

Bateau Lune - TOYSHOP

George Cowdery is a freelance Mac technician who has been providing valuable support to the Mac community in Barcelona for over 15 years. Among the services he offers, George can help clients with maintenance and upgrades, hard drive replacement and ADSL setup. He can also provide consulting and tutorials according to his clients’ needs.

Bateau Lune is a traditional toy shop for kids where you can find a large variety of traditional toys including; wooden bicycles, trains, also micro scooters, also kites and outdoor games and many more rare and original toys. Go visit them today and get ideas for special occasions such as birthday presents and Christmas gifts. Check out their free activities for children twice a month on the Virreina square in Gràcia! T. 93 218 6907 Plaça Virreina 7, 08012 info@bateaulune.com www.bateaulune.com www.facebook.com/bateaulune

M. 606 308 932 machelp@geomac.es www.geomacbcn.com

Mrs.Q design studio - GRAPHIC DESIGN

MT Sailing - SAILING COURSES

Mrs.Q Design Studio offers a range of specialised services from branding to graphic design, web design, ceramics, photography and bespoke invitations. Whether you have a new concept in mind that you want to see brought to life or need assistance rebranding your company, contact Mrs.Q design studio. They are happy to help you every step of the way to make sure you get the exact look you’re looking for. They specialise in bespoke wedding invitations, tailor-made to suit the style of your wedding. Match your wedding invitations with save the dates, menus, place cards and thank you cards to create a polished look. They are now offering wedding stationary packages. At Mrs.Q design studio they love to design creative, engaging brand identities that help their clients ﬂourish. They will help you bring some of your personality to your brand and use their knowledge of colour, passion for typography and creative ﬂair to create an identity that engages your customers.

RYA Sailing and powerboat courses. Always wanted to get on the water, but didn’t know how? Now you can! MT Sailing is an RYA training centre right here in Barcelona, offering theory and practical courses at all levels from Start Yachting or Powerboat all the way to professional Yachtmaster Ocean. Internationally recognized qualifications are taught and examined in English. During classes, support is available in Spanish. Their ﬂexible course schedules include intensive, weekend and evenings. To discuss your sailing ambitions, call Michael 695 806 029. Start your adventure today!

M. 699 260 938 mrsqdesignstudio@gmail.com www.mrsqdesignstudio.com

M. 695 806 029/653 616 727 sail@mtf.com www.mtf.com.

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46 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

TELEVISION SERVICE · TAX AND ACCOUNTING

BritSat - TELEVISION SERVICE

Easi-Sat - TELEVISION SERVICE

BritSat offer great television packages so you’ll never have to miss your favourite TV programmes again. Craving a bit of classic comedy, your favourite soap or just fed up of feeling out of the loop of the best TV at home? BritSat will install the full package you choose for a great price. Take your pick from some of the best television in Europe as they install British, Dutch, German, Italian and French satellite TV. The team will create tailor-made installations to suit your requirements, always aiming to find the most discreet location for the dish and cables. BritSat provides excellent customer care and can also incorporate sound systems and multi-screen viewing.

NEW! NEW! NEW! Not allowed a satellite dish? Now we can supply all your favourite uk tv channels including all sports and films over the internet. No dish needed! Specialists in satellite TV, HD, audiovisual and unmatched for quality and reliability. For a personal, efﬁcient and friendly service call the specialists. Our professional team provides satellite television from across Europe at unbeatable prices!

M. 649 605 917 info@britsatlive.com www.britsatlive.com

T. 93 845 9874 M. 649 413 832 enquiries@easisat.net www.easisat.net

Spain Accounting -

Tax AND Accounting services

UP TO 20% OFF

Qualified UK accountant with 25 years experience in Spain offers: · Tax services for freelance ‘autónomos’ & companies · Income tax returns for employees & non-residents · Registration of ‘autónomos’ & company incorporation (SL) · Practical advice on setting up a business in Spain · Fast, reliable email service

Call David Cook 678 702 369 info@spainaccounting.com www.spainaccounting.com

Europa Digital - TELEVISION SERVICE

Brumwell Brokers -

INSURANCE AND TAX SERVICES

Tired of being out the loop on the best documentaries or are you a secret soap fan? Or, maybe you’re just missing your favourite television programmes from home. There’s no need to miss out anymore—now you can see all of your favourite channels here in Barcelona! Europa Digital are licensed and fully insured to install all satellite systems, including a whole range of channels from BBC HD, Freesat, itv hd, Sky, Sky 3d, Sky Sports and many more. They can also supply all European systems and viewing cards. They were the first company to start operating in Catalunya and, as well as private installations, they have worked for hotel groups and put multi-systems in apartment blocks.The experienced and professional team give friendly advice to ensure that you receive the best package to suit your needs. They are the only company of their kind with a registered office and a 24-hour helpline. Visit their showroom before you buy or call them now for a free quotation. They are fully licensed and insured.

They not only care about your wellbeing, they “insure” it. With over 20 years of experience under their belts they can help you with all your insurance needs. Working with most insurance companies they guarantee you the best quote and best cover for what you need. They can even insure your bicycle!! Brumwell Brokers’ service team can also help you with tax, accounting, legal and labour laws. (Set ups, Autonomos).

Floridablanca 78 Metro: Sant Antoni (L2) T. 93 325 1797 M. 666 556 452 Sant Josep, 32, Sitges T. 93 894 72 99 www.europadigital.tv admin@europadigital.tv

Pl. Gal-la Placidia 1-3 08006 T. 90 262 7810 F. 90 262 7811

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INSURANCE · LEGAL PRACTICE · BUSINESS COACHING · SERVICE · FINANCIAL ADVICE

Cogesa - INSURANCE Don’t wait until it’s too late! Do you feel secure in Barcelona? Are you still insured in your home country? Do you travel? Spanish not fluent yet? Do you want to feel safe and carefree in Barcelona no matter what? Cogesa makes sure to find you personalized and price worthy insurance solutions for your every need. They also speak Dutch, Swedish, Finnish, German and French.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY 47

Continental Wealth Management WEALTH MANAGEMENT

The group has over 30 years’ experience of giving professional, customtailored financial advice to expatriates on a global basis. They handle all aspects of wealth management, including investment portfolios, QROPS pension transfers and insurance. Their team of advisors can provide a no-obligation review to assess your circumstances and help you to make the right choices for a secure and profitable future.

Diputació 262 T. 93 342 4896 foreignresidents@cogesa.es www.cogesaforeignresidents.es

Av. Del Pla, 128 2 - 202 03730 Javea Alicante T. 96 646 2875 M. 665 362 944 www.continentalwealth.com

Sánchez Molina -

Green Bean Coaching -

The lawyers at Sánchez Molina speak English, Spanish, Italian and French. They can help with your business licensing services, legal defence and representation, registration under any form of ownership, accounting services and work and residency permits.

Green Bean coaches small and medium-sized business owners and entrepreneurs proven business techniques that have helped thousands of businesses boost their sales, increase profits and hit their company goals. They will coach you to implement the strategies you need to move to the next business level.

LEGAL PRACTICE

Gran Via Carles III, 84, 5 Metro: Maria Cristina (L3) T. 93 490 9669 javiergarcia@sanchezmolina.com www.sanchezmolina.com

BUSINESS Coaching

T. 93 112 6757 M. 693 940 701 explore@freegreenbeans.com www.freegreenbeans.com

Barcelona’s Guest - PERSONAL ASSISTANTS

This company provides assistants who can help you with daily tasks and provide language support if you are not confident speaking Spanish. You can delegate your chores, however large or small, to their staff with total confidence, giving you complete confidence and peace of mind about the organisation of all your appointments and events. They have impeccable references from their clients. Contact them today to discuss your requirements. Ganduxer nº14, Desp 9  08021 T. 93 539 6106  M. 666 816 168  christian@barcelonasguest.es  www.barcelonasguest.es

The Spectrum IFA Group - FINANCIAL ADVICE The Spectrum IFA Group creates and provides financial planning solutions for expatriates and foreign residents. Their experienced and qualified team in Barcelona can help you with all aspects of finance including: • Pensions/ Retirement Planning • Savings & Investments • Life Cover • Health Insurance • Currency Exchange • Mortgages • Tax Planning • Asset Management They are regulated financial planners with offices in seven European countries, dedicated to providing the best advice and solution for each individual client. Please email or call them to arrange an initial, no-obligation introductory meeting.

T. 93 665 8596 Passeig de Gràcia 63, Principal 2A barcelona@spectrum-ifa.com

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Entity Data Protection SERVICE

Entity Data Protection is a Barcelona based firm that provides services to ensure you as a sole trader so that your company complies with the new Spanish data protection law. Don’t take unnecessary risks; give them a call today to see if you are covered.

Av. Josep Tarradellas 134, 08029 T. 93 545 9235 M. 617 041 260 entitydataprotection@gmail.com

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48 EMPLOYMENT

Job directory To advertise in this section, call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See also our online directory at www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

For the latest jobs for English speakers in Barcelona, follow us on Twitter @WorkInBarcelona

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EMPLOYMENT 49

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50 BACK PAGE

Seasonal adjustment

ad news, everybody. Christmas is going to be late. It’s one of a number of cost-cutting measures brought on by the economic crisis. Hopefully it will be a one-off seasonal readjustment, though there’s a risk it might become an annual event, rather like Easter, which jumps all over the calendar. The other main change this year is that there’s only going to be one king. Or wise man from the East, for anti-monarchists. The other two are being paid a retainer for consultancy services, but won’t be involved in day to day handling of presents, delivery of coal to naughty children or any camel-back activities. We expect to re-employ them next year, provided they aren’t poached by any of our main competitors in gift logistics, namely Easter Bunny Enterprises, Tooth Fairy Inc. or Birthday Girl Ltd. With only one king on duty, gift delivery is going to be slower than usual, hence the delay. To ensure customer satisfaction, Christmas will be rolled out over a week, rather than the usual twenty-four hours. For purely logistical

reasons, it will be starting in Bethlehem then heading East, which means it is due to arrive in Western Europe on New Year’s Day. This would normally cause some confusion, except that the cuts also mean certain changes to New Year’s Eve. Firstly, midnight is being brought forward to 9 p.m. to reduce the overtime bill and electricity costs. Also, grapes are proving to be expensive in December, so they will be replaced with a choice of raisins, chestnuts or balls of cheese to swallow at the stroke of midnight. But as midnight is now nine o’clock, customers will only need nine of them, not the traditional twelve, as in previous years. It is hoped that customers will consider these changes when setting out their nativity scenes. Therefore, there should be just the one king around the manger, preferably bearing joss sticks rather than frankincense or gold. Shepherds are increasingly irrelevant to the modern crib scene and should be phased out, or reduced to a single shepherd on a quad bike. On the other hand, angels are as cheap as

cherubs. And round the back, squatting figures can add colour to the scene as necessary. Happy Christmas! --Roger de Flower

Right, listen up you lot. Yes, that means you, you cheeky elf. There’s some bad news. Christmas is going to be delayed. Yes, yes, you’re right. You can’t delay Christmas. But this year, things are different. Economic crisis across Europe, budget cuts and belt-tightening mean that there are going to be cuts across all departments of Christmas Inc. For a start, you elves. We can’t afford to keep you on, and frankly you’re surplus to requirements even in a good year, so you’ll be staying at home. You’ll notice that the three kings have had to let two of their number go. Easter stopped being pinned to a specific date in the late Medieval period, following industrial action by the Guild of Chocolate Egg Makers, which caused delays in Easter egg delivery and support strikes by the Association of Easter Bunnies. R.d.F.

HOROSCOPE Aries Stick to your guns when defending a cause that’s important to you. Romantic attraction to someone you’ve known for a while will prove exciting and may involve a very long-term relationship.

Taurus A long trip could be on

Gemini Steer away from romantic involvement with a friend. In a family or close business relationship you’ll need to find your voice to make a stand about an issue. Get over your reticence and you’ll shine brightly.

Cancer Home life will improve greatly if you stop trying to be the one in charge. Share responsibility and the load will be much lighter. Use a vacation to reflect on some life changes you want to make.

Leo You’re buzzing with new ideas and lacking time to get them all off the ground. Make a good plan and get some help. Your enthusiasm will make it easy to get people on board. Take care of your diet.

Virgo It’s time to focus your

Libra You need to let your hair down so indulge a few whims and spend some money. But don’t let it become too much of a habit. A good chance at a promotion or new job could be coming your way.

Scorpio Time to make some lifestyle changes that you’ve been mulling over. You need to take good care of yourself first—the effects of your increased energy and well-being will soon show in your work and relationships.

Sagittarius A money issue will

Capricorn Good times are in

Aquarius There are some things that you just have to do, whether you like it or not. So, you may as well do them with a smile. Keep your mind and body healthy by avoiding office politics and by getting lots of exercise.

Pisces You’ll go out of your way to help a friend this month and your friendship will be much stronger for it. There’s plenty of partying ahead this month. Enjoy, but keep an eye on how much you’re spending.

skills and get things done. Your creative thinking could reap good rewards right now if you can just apply yourself. A close friend may call on you for help but will be afraid of being judged.

store for you, both at work and at home and you’ll feel that you make a lot of progress on both fronts. You may have a tricky situation with a colleague—don’t take it too personally.

By Ben Rowdon

scoop

get sorted out this month, so try not to let it stress you any more. A new love or the renewal of an old one could make your life brighter for a while—but don’t depend on it lasting forever.

the horizon and it will help you work out some personal issues. You could make a big difference to things at work if you take the initiative. You’ll be well rewarded.

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