Barcelona Grapevine Magazine Issue 1

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Issue 1 2014

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Editorial Community Magazines are about people, places and the things that make both tick.

Because Barcelona is an explosion of cultures, sights and sounds means that there is a vibrant community here making it all happen.

Barcelona Grapevine is all about capturing some of those moments and letting you know about some of the hidden assets in the city.

We are happy to show newcomers some of the sights, but we will be pleased if we are also able to present some of the surprising and less well known people, events and places for those of you without the time to explore the streets for yourself.

As a free-lance photographer I have worked all over the city - so I have been fortunate to meet many of the contributors who hope that you will enjoy this first issue and share our love and enthusiasm for Barcelona.

My thanks to both Carme CristiĂ and Rachel Maloney Hawkins for their permission to use their photos of me at work.

If you would like to contribute an article, your Barcelona photos or to add your news / events to the next edition - please email me, matthew@grapevine.international

Barcelona Grapevine Editors Barcelona Editor: Matthew Debnam, matthew@grapevine.international GeneraI Editor: Gaile Griffin Peers, editor@grapevine.international www.barcelonagrapevine.com is a division of www.grapevine.international Barcelona Grapevine is Published in Spain by Marina Alta Business Club SL CIF B54067996 est. 2006

Matthew Debnam

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The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Don’t Despair, Make yourself heard in the crowd Professional Real Estate Photographer, Matthew Debnam, will give your property exactly the right exposure to help it move quickly

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Gaudí’s 14 reasons to visit Barcelona There are more works by Gaudí in Barcelona than you thought...

by Matthew Debnam

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

5 Unknown Gaudí gems

They are the first contributions that Gaudí gave to the city the same year as graduating.

It can be said without debate that Antoni Gaudí is one of the biggest reasons tourists visit Barcelona.

They’re full of symbolism, like the God of Mercury’s helmet representing commerce in Plaça Reial, which was once a trade gate into the city from the sea...

When you see his works in person, well it’s really no wonder!

His most popular designs - which are Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) - receive according the the local government around a staggering 14,000,000 visits per year in total.

But surely there’s more to the architect than these four works?

In this article, we show you the most unknown works from the architect that you can see in Barcelona

Plaça Reial and Pla de Palau

(bottom left) Reach from Las Ramblas, and Pla de Palau by Barceloneta Metro station (L4).

Head to these plazas and you’ll be forgiven for walking by these gems.

It’s not the grand buildings or the fountain. It’s the lamp posts with mutiple lights.

What’s more, is that these lamps feature an innovation. The tops of each were lined with white opal so diffused soft light reflected down to the ground, a technique never before used, but mimicked since.

Church of Sant Pacià

(bottom right) On Carrer de les Mongers by catching the Metro to Fabra i Puig (L1).

Perhaps you know that Gaudí was a master with mosaics. One mosaic that you have never seen is his first ever at the Church of Sant Pacià.

As a man of faith and religion, his first ever mosaic is rather conservative, in a Greek-Roman style, however true to the artist it is full of symbolism.

Gaudi also designed the lamps, high altar and other furniture, which sadly ended up getting burnt in the 1907 revolt.

Palau de Pedralbes.

Pavellons Güell, and Finca Miralles

(top, centre, bottom respectively)

Reach them all from Maria Cristina Metro station (L3).

Gaudi designed a small fountain of hercules and an umbracle (a sort of shelter surrounded by trees) in the gardens of this wonderful building.

Right next door is a work by Gaudí’s old teacher - Joan Martorel i Montells - commissioned to build a mansion for the industrialists called Güell.

Gaudí took part in the project by designing the gates and gatehouse, in what has become his first iconic use of dragons.

Finally, nearby on Passeig de Manual Girona, there is yet another gate from the architect.

It’s from his modernist phase and his style is instantly recognizable!

He left the design of the house to an associate though, probably because he was busy with Park Güell.

Photo by Victor Ferris

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Photos by Victor Ferris

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3 rare Gaudí Treasures

These 3 works are bigger projects that remain beyond the scope of the “normal tourist route”.

Colegio de las Teresianas

Reach from La Bonanova station (L6)

Gaudí took on this half-completed project which was to be a school for nuns. There was little budget to finish it and they insisted that it be austere.

Even so, he manages to throw in many of his trademarks, like the 4-point cross, parabolic arches, and wrought iron details.

Palau Güell

C/ Nou de la Rambla, 3-5 .

Metro Liceu (L3).

It’s not his most visited work, but for the roof alone it’s worth a visit.

The chimneys of Casa Batllo and La Pedrera have nothing on the beautifully coloured ones that sit atop Palau Güell, with its flamboyant interior.

Casa Calvet

Reach them all from Urquinanoa Metro station (L1 and L4).

Poor Casa Calvet... Many call it his most boring building, however it’s also one of the most important that the architect made because it was his first pure modernist building.

Most likely, he would have taken the project further, but, unfortunately, he had to contend with building restrictions.

If you want to have a lovely meal out, this building houses a restaurant, so it’s well worth a visit!

Photo by Sébastien Bertrand

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Photo by Canaan

Photo by Tomàs Badia Navarro

Photo by Frank C. Müller

Photo by Guillem Medina

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2 legendary Gaudí Relics Gaudi has some masterpieces in Barcelona that are almost completely unnoticed by visitors...

Casa Vicens

Carrer Carolines, 18-24. Lesseps or Fontana Metro (L3).

A short while after graduating Gaudí was already well on his road to success.

The building that cemented his career is Casa Vicens.

They say it will open in 2016, of course it could be sooner or later than that.

This was his first ever full building that he began work on.

Until then, you can certainly get a feel for the building by visiting the exterior.

Before this, he would have worked with his ex-professors or on smaller projects.

Casa Vicens unfortunately is not open to the public at the moment, but it will be, because it was recently bought for around 30,000,000 euros!

It was completed in the “Orientalist style”, a style which was inspired by the east and Arabia, but, to really get a feel for it, you have to see it in person.

Photo by jorapa

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Torre Bellesguard

open the building to the public in order to raise funds to conserve this UNESCO World Heritage site.

of funding halfway through and one room is unfinished. This is both a curse and a blessing for the building.

If you can only visit one building away from the tourist route, then make it Torre Bellesgaurd.

It is the prime example of Gaudí’s Neo-Gothic phase and was built on top of the remains of a castle from the last count of Barcelona.

It is a curse because we’ll never see the finished product, but it is also a blessing because the unfinished room gives away many of Gaudí’s techniques.

C/ Bellesguard 20 .

Buses 22, 58, 60, 75 196.

Up until the end of 2013, this work was not open to the public because it is private property.

Due to government tunnelling putting the building in danger, the family have had no choice but to

Knowing full well the background of the building; Gaudí makes many masterful references to Catalan history through various methods of symbolism. Though the exterior is fully completed, the building ran out

Access to the building is through a guided tour, and there are also events held during summer nights where you can visit and enjoy a live concert.

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Š discreet Photo credit

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVzvhP

PdASdQ

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OK Apartment Barcelona are about giving you alternatives. You see, we’ve been there for travellers to the Catalan capital for over 10 years, providing what was once “the alternative way to stay in Barcelona” - holiday apartments - but now a main stream way to stay.

These days we offer more than just apartments. We have our very own OK community where you can learn about the city and interact with fellow travellers, exclusive Barcelona discounts, a low-cost taxi service, and parking in the city centre! We’re all about giving you alternatives!

Our young and international team - working away in our central Barcelona office - are head over heels in love with the city they live in, and they want to show you the real city. So follow us on facebook, twitter, google plus, and youtube (for more cool videos like the one here ;) ), give us a call, or even pop into our office to say hi!

Ask us anything you want, we’re here to make your stay in Barcelona go smoothly... After all we are...

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There’s a place in Barcelona that is an enigma for most people who live here.

A place so beautiful that they want to share it with the world... But a place so peaceful that they want to keep it a secret... And many do... So what is a local to do?

The most romantic place in BCN? An escape from Barcelona... in Barcelona

By reading this, you’ve probably figured that this particular local has opted for the former, because a park as wonderful as this doesn’t stand a chance against the likes against the likes of Park Güell and Parc de la Ciutadella.

The reasons why are probably because it’s away from the “tourist track” of the city, but even so, with a public transport system as good as the one of Barcelona, it really costs little effort to reach this wonderful gem. Let’s discover it, shall we?

The Parc Laberint d’Horta - A diamond in the rough In terms of garden parks in Barcelona, Parc Laberint d’Horta is the oldest of them all, and it was completed at the turn of the 1800s.

One park, Three worlds Perhaps the biggest calling point of the park is the variety of areas it offers.

by Matthew Debnam

Because of the era it was constructed in, the park benefits from two gardens in different styles that were popular at the time. To the left is the romantic era garden, which a beautiful stream flows through and to the right is the neo-classical garden complete with labyrinth.

Alas, if walking around a park still isn’t close enough to nature for you then don’t worry because behind it all is a forest that you’re free to wander.

Get lost!

Of course It’s obvious the main star of this attraction is quite literally its centerpiece - the Labyrinth.

The classic cyprus-bush maze itself is inspired by the Greek myth of the Minotaurs maze, but you won’t need a golden thread to find your way out because it’s actually not that difficult!

There are plenty of tricks to keep you hitting a dead end, but with enough persistence you’ll reach the centre rather simply, making this maze ideal for a fun-filled family adventure!

At the centre you won’t find a roaring beast with horns, but rather a statue of eros, a greek god of love...

So if you’re with your partner, then it certainly wouldn’t hurt to sneak in a kiss from your loved one when nobody’s looking!

Cameras ready? Beauty around every corner And for anyone who’s really not interested in the inspiration, history, or culture behind everything, it doesn’t matter!

That’s because the park really speaks for itself.

Whether you’re a professional wildlife or nature photographer or you’re just practising, Parc Laberint d’Horta is easily the best place in the city to snap pictures.

There are terrapins, peacocks, swans, ducks, frogs, and many other creatures wandering the grounds if you can find them.

There’s also an endless amount of plantlife, bodies of water. fountains, sculptures, and more that are guaranteed to ensure that your finger never leaves your shutter... not once!

Yes. It really is that fantastic.

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

These maps are by Till F. Teenck

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Š discreet Photo credit

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Š discreet Photo credit

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Sobremesa after food Mai Griffin

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sobremesa-after-food-mai-griffin.html

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Sobre Mesa - oil on canvas - original oil painting 12,900 â‚Ź - Mai Griffin

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The Barcelona of the past

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Gothic Memories of Barcelona Part One A unique insight into Nineteenth Century views on Gothic Architecture

by George Edmund Street in 1869

The architectural history of Barcelona is much more complete, whilst its buildings are more numerous, than those of any of our own old cities, of which it is in some sort the rival. The power which the Barcelonese wielded in the middle ages was very great.

They carried on the greater part of the trade of Spain with Italy, France, and the East; they were singularly free, powerful, and warlike; and, finally, they seem to have devoted no small portion of the wealth they earned in trade to the erection of buildings, which even now testify alike to the prosperity of their city, and to the noble acknowledgment they made for it.

The architecture of Cataluña had many peculiarities, and in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, when most of the great buildings of Barcelona were being erected, they were so marked as to justify me, I think, in calling the style as completely and exclusively national or provincial, as, to take a contemporary English example, was our own Norfolk middle-pointed. The examination of them will, therefore, have much more value and interest than that of even grander buildings erected in a style transplanted from another country, such as we see at Burgos and Toledo; and beside this, there was one great problem which I may venture to say that the Catalan architects satisfactorily solved—the erection of churches of enormous and almost unequalled internal width— which is just that which seems to be looming before us as the work which we English architects must ere long grapple with, if we wish to serve the cause of the Church thoroughly in our great towns.

For a manufacturing town, this, the Manchester of Spain, is singularly agreeable and unlike its prototype. The mills are for the most part scattered all over the surrounding country, which rises in pleasant undulations to the foot of the hills some four or five miles inland from the sea, and beyond which the country is always beautiful and wild, and sometimes— as in the savage and world-renowned rocks of Montserrat—quite sublime

West front of San Pablo

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

“... the surrounding country, rises in pleasant undulations to the foot of the hills some four or five miles [Collesrola/Tibidabo] inland from the sea... “

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No. 36. BARCELONA. EAST END OF THE CATHEDRAL.

“The streets are generally narrow, tortuous, and picturesque, with the one noble exception of the Rambla, a very broad promenade running from the sea quite across the city”

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

in its character. On my first journey I arrived at Barcelona by a steamer from Valencia. The views of the coast were generally extremely beautiful, until shortly before our arrival, as we passed the low level land through which the Llobregat finds its way to the sea; beyond this the great rock and fortress of Monjuic rise boldly in front, and rounding its base into the harbour, the tall octagonal towers and turrets of the cathedral and other churches came in sight. Little, however, is seen of the sea from the city, the fortifications of Monjuic on the one side, and the harbour and new colony of Barcelonette which occupies a point jutting out beyond it seaward on the other, completely shutting it out. One result of this is that, whilst nothing is seen of the sea, so, too, the seafaring people seem to confine themselves to Barcelonette, and not to show themselves in the thronged streets of the city. Another fortress, a little inland on the east, places Barcelona under a cross fire, and prevents its growth in that direction; but wherever possible it seems to be spreading rapidly, and every external sign of extreme prosperity is to be seen. The streets are generally narrow, tortuous, and picturesque, with the one noble exception of the Rambla, a very broad promenade running from the sea quite across the city, which has a road on either side, and a broad promenade planted with trees down the centre. Here in the early morning one goes to buy smart nosegays of the Catalan flower-girls from the country, and in the evening to stroll in a dense mob of loungers enjoying the cold air which sweeps down from the hills, and atones for all the sufferings inflicted by the torrid midday sun.

It will be best, in describing the buildings here, to begin with those of the earliest date, though they are of comparatively unimportant character, and in part fragments only of old buildings preserved in the midst of great works undertaken at a later date. The Benedictine convent of San Pablo del Campo, said to have been founded in the tenth century by Wilfred

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II., Count of Barcelona,[278] was restored by Guiberto Guitardo and his wife about 1117, and in 1127 was incorporated with the convent of San Cucufate del Vallés.[279] The church is very interesting. It is small and cruciform, with three parallel apses, an octagonal vault on pendentives over the Crossing, and a short nave, which, as well as the transepts, is covered with a waggon-vault. The apses are vaulted with semi-domes.

The west end is the only perfect part of the exterior, and deserves illustration. The work is all of a very solid and rude description, though I am almost afraid to give it credit for being so old as is said. The circular window is, however, an interpolation; and if this were removed, and another small window like the others inserted in its place, the whole design would no doubt have an air of extreme antiquity. The ground-plan is a typal one here, and prevails more or less in all the early churches from Cataluña to Galicia. One or two others of the same description seem to have a fair amount of evidence of the date of their consecration, and it is at any rate unlikely that a church built in A.D. 914 would require rebuilding in about a hundred years, which must have been the case here, if we assume that we have not still before us the original church. On the south side of the nave there was a cloister added, probably in the course of the eleventh century, and there is some difference in the character of its design and workmanship, and that of the church and its west front.

This cloister is very small, having on each side four arches, divided by a buttress in the centre of each side.

The openings are cusped some with three and some with five heavy foliations, plain on the outside, but both moulded and carved on the inside face. The cusping is not at all Gothic in its character, being stilted in a very Eastern fashion, nor is it constructed like Gothic work, the stones being laid over each other, and cut out in the form of cusps, but not constructed anywhere with stones radiating on the principle of an arch. The shafts between the

openings are coupled one behind the other, and have well-carved capitals.

A fourteenth-century doorway, with a cross for the finial of its label, opens from the north wall of the cloister into the nave; and in the east wall is an extremely good entrance to the Chapter-house of the same date, and showing the usual arrangement of a doorway with a two-light traceried opening on either side. There are also some old monumental arches in the walls.

This church, which forms so important a feature in the early architectural history of Cataluña, is near the western end of the city, and its west front and cloister are enclosed within the walls of a small barrack; but as Spanish officers and soldiers are always glad to lionize a stranger, there is no difficulty in the way of seeing them. A simple earlypointed doorway, under a very flat tympanum, has been added to the north transept, and there is some evidence of the small apse near it having been arcaded on the outside.

The pendentive under the dome is similar in its construction to those under the dome of the curious church of Ainay, at Lyons. Above them there is a string-course, and then the vault, which rises to a point in the centre, and is not a complete octagon, the cardinal sides being much wider than the others. The west doorway has in its tympanum our Lord, St. Peter, and St. Paul; over the arch are the angel of St. Matthew and eagle of St. John, and above, a hand with a cruciform nimbus, giving the benediction.

Bartolomé Gual was one of the architects summoned to advise about the cathedral of Gerona in 1416, he described himself as master of the works at Barcelona cathedral; and, Andres Escuder placed the last stone of the vault on September 26, A.D. 1448...

Having thus shortly stated the history of the building, let me now attempt to describe its architecture and construction. It will be seen that the plan is cruciform. The transepts do not, however, show much on the exterior, as they form the base of the towers which are erected, as at Exeter cathedral, above them. The plan of the

chevet is very good; it presents the French arrangement of an aisle and chapels round the apse in place of the common Spanish triapsidal plan; but the detail is all completely Catalan.

The arches of the apse are very narrow and stilted, and the columns throughout are composed of a rather confused jumble of thin mouldings awkwardly arranged. Above the main arches is a very small arcaded triforium, and above this a range of circular windows, one in each bay. The groining springs from the capitals of the main columns, so that the triforium and clerestory are both enclosed within its arched wall-rib; they are consequently very disproportioned in height as compared with those of northern churches. But here the architect evidently intended to grapple with the difficulties of the climate, and, designing his whole church with the one great object of minimizing the light and heat, he was compelled to make his windows small. The clerestory windows were traceried, and filled with rich stained glass, which was well set back from the face of the wall. The result is a perfect success as far as light and shade and the ordinary purposes of a Spanish congregation are concerned, but the difficulty of taking notes, sketches, or measurements, in most parts of the church, even at mid-day, can hardly be imagined. The dark stone of which the whole church is built increases not a little the sombre magnificence of the effect.

The planning of the nave is very peculiar. It seems as though the main requirement of the founders of this church was a plentiful number of altars; for, as will be seen on reference to the plan, there are no less than twentyseven distinct chapels inside the church, and twenty-two more round the cloister. It seems, indeed, that such a church as this must from the very first have been built for precisely the kind of worship still used in it.

There was never any proper provision for a crowd of worshippers joining in any one common act of prayer or worship. The capitular body filled the Coro and sang the services of the day unnoticed by the people; whilst, as they separated to the chapels to which each was attached, the people followed them by twos and threes to the altar services in which only they wished to join. At present not more than

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

“There was never any proper provision for a crowd of worshippers joining in any one common act of prayer... the Coro sang the services of the day unnoticed by the people... the people followed them by twos and threes to the altar services in which only they wished to join.”

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL INTERIOR OF WEST END OF NAVE

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“The cloisters are not good in their detail, but yet are very pleasant; they are full of orange-trees, flowers, and fountains... There are some geese cooped up in one corner, who look as if their livers were being sacrificed for patés... finally a troop of hungry cats, who are always howling and prowling about the cloisters and church...”

BARCELONA CATHEDRAL VIEW OF THE STEEPLES FROM THE CLOISTER

about half the altars are commonly used; yet still each morning mass was generally being said at three, or four, or five of them at the same time, and each altar every day seemed to have a considerable group of worshippers, among whom I noticed a considerable number of men of the upper class. The high altar seems always to have had curtains on either side of it, their rods being supported on columns of jasper in front. These curtains were drawn at the Sanctus, and remained so until the consecration was completed. One sung mass only is celebrated at this altar each day, and an old treatise on the Customs of the Church cites in defence or explanation of this rule the words of a very early council, una missa et unum altare.[289] It is on ascending the towers that one of the greatest peculiarities of the Barcelonese churches is seen; they are all roofless, and you look down on to the top of their vaulting, which is all covered with tiles or stone neatly and evenly laid on the vault, in such a way as effectually to keep out the weather.

The water all finds its way out by the pockets of the vaults, and by pipes through the buttresses with gurgoyles in front of them. Everything seemed to prove that this was not the old arrangement, for it is pretty clear that the walls had parapets throughout, and that there were timber roofs, though I saw no evidence as to what their pitch had been. The present scheme, ugly and ruinous as it looks—giving the impression that all the church roofs have been destroyed by the fire of the fortresses above and at the side of the city—seems nevertheless to have solved one of those problems which so often puzzle us—the erection of buildings which as far as possible shall be indestructible. There is now absolutely no timber in any part of the work; but it is of course questionable whether a roof which endures the test of a Spanish climate, with its occasional deluge of rain succeeded by a warm drying sun, would endure the constant damp of a climate like ours. But at any rate the makeshift arrangement which is universal here is very suggestive. The flying buttresses are insignificant, owing to the small height of the clerestory.

The cloisters are not good in their detail, but yet are very pleasant; they are full of orange-trees, flowers, and fountains. One of these is in a projecting bay at the north-east internal angle, and is old; another by its side has a little St. George and the Dragon, with the horse’s tail formed by a jet of water; and a third, and more modern, plays in the centre among the flowers. In addition, there are some geese cooped up in one corner, who look as if their livers were being sacrificed in order to provide patés for the canons; and finally a troop of hungry, melancholy cats, who are always howling and prowling about the cloisters and church, and who often contrive to get into the choir-stalls just before service, whence they are forthwith chased about by the choristers and such of the clergy as are in their places in good time! These cloisters are said to have been completed in A.D. 1448,[292] and I have no doubt this date is correct.

On the exterior they are bounded on three sides by streets, and the apsidal ends of the chapels do not show, the wall being straight and unbroken. The cloister is lofty and has panelled buttresses between the windows, of which latter the arches only remain, the traceries having been entirely destroyed. The view from hence of the church is one of the best that can be obtained, the octagonal transept towers being the most marked features. The floor is full of gravestones, on which the calling of the person commemorated is indicated by a slight carving in relief of the implements of his trade.

Reference Notes from the Original Text [278] Count of Barcelona - He was buried here, and this inscription was formerly in the church: “Sub hac tribuna jacet corpus condam Wilfredi comitis filius Wilfredi, simili modo condam comitis bonæ memoriæ, Dimittat ei Dñs. Amen. Qui obiit, vi. Kal. Madii sub era DCCCCLII.” (A.D. 914).

[279] San Cucufate del Vallés is not far from Barcelona; it has a fine early cloister somewhat like that of Gerona Cathedral, an early church with parallel triapsidal east end, octagonal lantern and tower on south side.—See illustrations in Parcerisa, Recuerdos, &c., de Esp. Cataluña, ii.

23, &c.

[289] Customs of the Church cites in defence or explanation of this rule the words of a very early council, una missa et unum altare. Villanueva, Viage á las Iglesias de España, xviii. 157.

[292] These cloisters are said to have been completed in A.D. 1448. Villanueva, Viage Lit.

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

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Gothic Memories of Barcelona Part Two A modern insight on the old town of Barcelona.

by Marta Laurent Veciana

Getting lost in the alleys of the Old Town in Barcelona Today I feel like getting lost: I’m heading to the Old Town to stroll around its medieval alleys and forgetting about routine.

I get out of the subway at Liceu, the stop in the center of La Rambla and right in front of the Boqueria market.

There is no better way to start the day than a latte at Pinotxo Bar: Juanito, the owner, knows how to make it foamy and hot, and he insists I pair it with a “xuxo”, a delicious fried bun stuffed with crème.

The market is buzzing today, so I leave it behind and my steps take me down la Rambla to soon leave this main street – but before, I’ll walk over the Miro mosaic that most tourist don’t even pay attention to, and I’ll

smile to the Asian dragon that looks down at passersbys from the top of Casa Bruno Quadras.

I’m entering the medieval alleys now.

I look up when I pass by Santa Maria del Mar church... I’ve always liked its huge rose window. By the time I reach Carrer de la Palla, the tourist crowds seem to be so far away. I stop at some cute clothes shops and I finally buy that scarf that I had seen at Olivé, a store where I sometimes take my guests during my tours to see the remains of a medieval mikhva.

The Jewish section is deserted except for a couple of tourists trying to find the synagogue. I give them directions and continue my stroll towards Plaça Sant Felip Neri. The floral fragrance coming from a hand-made soap shop welcomes me. I love this romantic square, especially in June, when the tipuana tree is blooming and carpets the pavement with its tiny yellow flowers.

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

I’m so close to the Cathedral that I can’t resist the temptation of going to the cloister.

A colleague is giving explanations to his group, and some families with small children are taking pictures of the geese that live in the garden. It’s lively but still calm.

Back to the street, I take a side alley that goes around the back of the Cathedral.

Which way should I go? I need a snack…

Should I get a gelato at Gelaaati di Marco? He’s an award-winning icecream maker, and there is a new flavour that I want to try. But I’d rather sit for a while: I’ll have an ice tea at the gothic courtyard of Museu Marés!

This beautiful outdoor café is located in one of my favorite medieval courtyards.

They make their own ice tea! (In Spain it’s hard to find the real thing: most places only serve canned Nestea). I can sit and relax, and read my book in the sun.

There are many more things to explore in this area, but it’ll have to be another day. Before I head back home though, there is one thing I need to do.

Half an hour later, I’m ready to go. I walk down another alley. Katherine, the owner of Formatgeria de la Seu, is standing by the door of her cheese shop and says hi. I walk past the Roman walls and arrive at the main post office: I can smell the sea from here!

I don’t have a letter to send, but I go inside to admire the beautiful stainedglass dome of the hall once again.

I retrace my steps back to the waterfront and enter the Museum of History of Catalonia. The elevator takes me to the rooftop, where there is a restaurant and a café overlooking the port. I seat in one of their hammocks and order an ice coffee.

And now I’m starting to get hungry.

There are lots of food options nearby, but today I want something light: at Sagàs I get my favorite goat cheese sandwich and a salad – everything is local produce here. And for dessert, I head to Bubo. It’s always a pleasure to savor their newest cake creation while enjoying the views of Santa Maria del Mar church.

Marta is a private tour guide and founder of ForeverBarcelona, a top-rated tour guide company.

She takes pleasure in sharing Barcelona with her guests and making them fall in love with the city.

I could spend hours here just watching my beautiful Barcelona!

www.foreverbarcelona.com/tips/

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

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Spain +34 68 864 0092 (Glenn Tullett) glenn@infinityinternational.co.uk www.infinityinternational.co.uk

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| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Antique Textiles to look out for in Barcelona For centuries Barcelona was at the heart of the Spanish Silk and Lace Trade

by Gaile Griffin Peers

Detail from the silk tapestry “Galcerán de Pinós” “Preventing the Shipment of the Ransom” Copyright www.metmuseum.org Date: late 16th or early 17th century

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Barcelona has long been acknowledged as the home of Catalan lace and silks.

From medieval times, Barcelona was a strong competitor for fabrics and lace to Valencia in the south, so much so that it is believed that when the French embargoed Spanish lace ( as damaging to the French Lace Industry) it was still smuggled north, through Barcelona port.

Traditionally, lace making in Spain was to decorate churches.

It first appeared in the 11th Century and could be made from or combined with any fine enough fibre, including precious metals. The earliest known surviving examples may well owe their preservation to the precious metals including gold and silver with which white threads were combined.

Even though Victoria made a great play of wearing Honiton (Devon) Lace on her wedding attire, to promote the British Textile industry, several of her court wore Spanish lace as embellishments on their dresses.

Above: The Catalan Court presented a specially made lace handkerchief as a gift to Victoria on her marriage.

The Catalan Court were pleased to present a specially made lace handkerchief as a gift to the bride.

Spain was also renowned for its fine silks – the technique and the mulberry silk moth were brought to Spain by the Moors. By the middle of the 10th century, Spain had become the centre of European Silk Manufacturing.

Until the nineteenth Century, both the delicate lace and the colourful silk from Spain were highly prized.

Barcelona was quite late in developing its Silk industry but was already a centre for exquisite lace.

When browsing Barcelona’s Rastros and the Antique markets and shops, keep an eye open for old fabrics and lace, you may be surprised at how old some of the pieces are that you can still buy especially as when they have been well preserved they can look almost new (see photos).

Next Page: Pistol baldric (Xarpa) A belthook on the back of a pistol would pass through the sets of loops on the baldric, which could carry up to five pistols.

Date: late 18th–early 19th century Culture: Spanish, Catalonia Medium: Leather, embroidered with silk and silver threads; silk galloon and lace; iron buckle Firearms Accessories Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913 Copyright www.metmuseum.org

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

www.metmuseum.org

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Arts and Crafts of Older Spain

Leonard Williams 1908

www.metmuseum.org

Some interesting Historical notes on Barcelona’s Textile Trade

“The art of weaving silk appears to have found its way into Barcelona comparatively late, for the veil-makers did not form a guild of their own till A.D. 1553, the velvet-makers till 1548, the silk-twisters till 1619, and the dyers of silk till 1624”

The same unpleasant effect is observed in the silk stockings. They cannot be fine, their stitches being uneven, and often large and shaggy. They do not last long, and are as dear as the French stockings after the duty on their entrance into Spain has been paid.

Laborde’s account of Barcelona

“At Barcelona, laces, blonds, network, and tapes employ about twelve thousand persons.

After remarking that the decay in her manufactures lasted from the end of the sixteenth century till the middle of the eighteenth, he continues: “They are at present in a very flourishing state, and are more numerous and varied than ever….

Galloons, laces, and gold and silver fringes, are likewise made here; but these are of no great importance.

There are 524 looms of silk stuffs, and 2,700 of ribbons and silk galloon.

The silkworks consist of taffetas, twilled and common silks, satins, and velvets of every kind and colour. These are mixed with gold and silver.

Gold cloths and brocades are also made there.

The manufactures are not carried on by companies, but dispersed among the workmen themselves, by which perhaps the qualities may in some degree be injured.

It is remarked that the stuffs would be better if they were closer, for their texture is commonly loose; they are also different in the gloss, which is seldom fine, and is never equal to that in the manufactures of France.

Another fault in all these stuffs is the imperfect preparation of the silk, which leaves it nearly always shaggy, the cause of this is the silk being spun or twisted in an uneven manner.

Silk, gold, and silver embroideries are very common, and the embroiderers are so numerous that they are to be found in every street.

“Silk Stuffs.

These are manufactured at Manresa, Cardona, and Mataró, which has forty-eight looms; but principally at Barcelona, where there are five hundred and twenty-four. There they make velvets, satins, damasks, silks, taffetas, and gold and silver stuffs.

The town of Barcelona alone uses annually 300,000 pounds of raw silk. “Taffetas, Handkerchiefs, and silk sashes.—They make a great quantity of these at Barcelona, where there are a good many little manufactories of this kind. There are a 150 looms at Reus, and 600 at Manresa. At the last place 60,000 dozen handkerchiefs are made, which take about 70,000 pounds of raw silk.

“Silk twisters.—There are some of these in several towns, and a great many in Barcelona. There are 18 frames at Mataró, which twist, one year with another, one 124 quintals of silk; and 37 at Tarragona, which twist 11,000 quintals.”

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Out and About The Mayor of Barcelona, ​​ Xavier Trias, visiting the streets during the the festival of Saints at the end of August

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Chasing Ghosts in Barcelona The spooky tales told on the streets of Barcelona...

by Matthew Debnam

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Things just got a little spooky...

When you’re in Barcelona and wandering around the Gothic quarter of the city, you may be thinking to yourself whether the citizens have their very own set of ghost stories and urban legends.

Well wonder no more: They do! And if you want to perform a little bit of ghost hunting yourself, then this little guide to ghost tales in Barcelona should help you get started!

The hollow screams of the blacksmith’s apprentice Within the area that lies inside the old walls of Barcelona you will find many tales, like the one of how a greedy blacksmith ended the life of his apprentice.

He was counting his money one night, when in walked his apprentice unannounced. The blacksmith, shocked, grabbed a hot iron and pierced it through the apprentice’s chest.

Though he ran in fear, the ghost of the apprentice chased him and forced him to fall to his death.

It’s in these areas that you often here the phrase “You know, it’s said that...”. and... you know, it’s said that the blacksmith and apprentice were so attached to their work that they can still be found in the same spot today.

There are paranormal accounts and experiences reported on this street between 8 - 10 times a year.

This is the highest number of reports per annum in the city, officially making this the most haunted part of Barcelona.

The reports frequently include ghostly piercing screams.

If you’re brave enough you can even stay on the very same street... that is of course, if you dare. Carrer del Portal Nou. You didn’t hear it from us...

The infamous legend of Count Arnau This is probably the most popular, oldest and perhaps most far-fetched of them all.

Not strictly a Barcelonian ghost story albeit a Catalonian one, this tale shows much similarity to tales of the European folk myths of the “Wild Hunt”, these tales are all about horseman madly traversing the earth for eternity.

Usually when one sees a ghost of the Wild Hunt it is a sign of impending catastrophe or even death for the person who witnessed it...

Count Arnau became one of these ghosts because he was said to be a cruel man who committed many sins.

His two biggest sins are widely agreed by the tellers of this tale as being an affair with a nun at the abbey in the town of Sant Joan de Abadesses and refusing to pay debts he owed.

For his sins, he was condemned to ride on the back of a fiery black horse whilst being chased (or aided depending on who you ask) by demonic hell-hounds.

It is a ghost that many have claimed to have had an experience with over the centuries, from hearing the cries of the canines in the dead of the night, to actual sightings of the horse galloping across Catalonia burning brightly amidst the darkness If you want to investigate the myth further ourself, there is actually an entire centre dedicated simply to the “interpretation” of the legend over in the town of Sant Joan de Abadesses... It’s just that important!

Beastly hauntings over at Barcelona’s Old Museum of Natural Sciences If roaming an empty museum filled with taxidermy and animal remains wasn’t creepy enough as it is, you haven’t worked at Barcelona’s Natural Sciences Museum.

Just to add to the whole creepy vibe; the faun from the motion picture ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ was actually inspired by the Mouflon skull in this apparantely haunted place...

Amongst the glass displays, life size replica models and formaldehyde jars, it is said that at night at the Barcelona Natural History Museum you can hear the roars and cries of animals long departed.

Of course, you don’t have to take that for granted just because it’s written here in front of you, just ask the security guards who worked here some years ago that eventually were dismissed and branded as mad because of insisting upon the existence the paranormal and unexplained noises.

That’s not all of course.

You see, the site of Ciutadella Park, more or less where the museum building is located, would have been the location where thousands of locals were hung.

So it’s no wonder that apart from the animal cries, people have also reported seeing vanishing misty figures.

There is even a woman who walks around searching for her executed husband... ...and wailing out when she found him...

No, really. Don’t have an affair with a nun...!

On the way to seeing his lover, he had a vision of his own death and saw the very coffin that he would be buried in.

It doesn’t get any less weird with this tale.

This was supposed to be his final warning to stop meeting and having enamoured encounters with the nun. But alas, it was to no avail, for he ignored these warnings and his life was ended the moment he got attacked by four wolves directly below the window of his forbidden love.

For this final ghost story we will contemplate is the tale of Placa de Sant Pere where it is said the ghost of Pere Pals roams. Like Count Arnau, the knight Pere Pals also had an affair with a nun. If we learnt anything from Count Arnau, it’s that you don’t have affairs with nuns and get away with it scot free!

Sure Plaça St Pere LOOKS innocent enough (below) but if you search carefully, you may encounter the

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

knight, who still traverses the zone looking for his forbidden love.

Of course there are many more ghost stories to mention, like on Carrer Montcada where many murders occurred, and Flor de Lliri where some travellers in the 50’s disappeared without ever being found...

But let’s save those for another day...

So when you’re in Barcelona, don’t forget to take the time to really dive into the history and culture, as dark as it may get. Who knows, you may be rewarded with some new ghost stories of your own...

Photo by Alexandra Guerson

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

La Mercè 2014 19 - 20 September throughout Barcelona

Photo by Miquel González Page

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Get ready for the September of a lifetime Have you got your holiday to Barcelona planned for the end of September? My, oh my, are you in for a treat!

The Largest Barcelona Festival What is La Mercè and why should you care?

Not only is September an all around better month than August to visit the Catalan capital (in August practically everything non-touristic is closed or has reduced hours), but is is the month with the biggest celebrationof the year.

La Mercè Festival could easily be called “The Barcelona Festival” because the entire city comes to life in order to celebrate it. There will be over 600 different events taking place across 6 days during the festival, so there is certainly no shortage of things to do.

Culture and Tradition Above anything else, La Mercè is a celebration of Barcelona’s dearest cultural traditions, so it’s no wonder then that the largest events of the festival are the huge parts of Catalanonia’s cultural heritage. If you’ve never heard of Castellers and Correfocs, you won’t be leaving Barcelona without knowing what they are.

Castellers During the Casteller events, crowds gather to watch in awe as a team of professionally trained ‘Castellers’ work together to build a human tower, otherwise known as a ‘Castell‘ or Castle. These feats of acrobatic amazement can easily reach heights of over 10 metres, sometimes reaching as high as 17m.

by Matthew Debnam

Correfocs If you’re searching for something to get the blood pumping then how about running from a fire breathing dragon?

Of course, dragons don’t really exist, but if they did then the experience would probably be something like a Correfoc.

The name, which literally means ‘Firerun’, sees participants run away from various monsters that throw fireworks and sparks all over the place.

Anyone is invited to run providing they aren’t wearing polymer based clothing... or hair spray!

Traditionally, it is has been people in devil costumes that throw the sparks.

However, these days you can find all manner of spark throwers, including Gaudí’s dragon from Park Güell.

The Correfoc of La Mercè will take place on the 21st September at 20:15 across Via Laietana (Metro: Jaume I - L4).

Els Gegants Though this tradition is also found across Spain, the parades of the ‘Gegants‘ AKA Giants to English speakers plays an important part in La Mercè.

A Gegant is a huge, tall figure that can be worn by someone and walked about in. The parade sees a bunch of these figures wander Barcelona as they are bathed in confetti by onlookers. It’s fun for all the family.

It is a ‘Festa’ that Catalans take very seriously. These events are highly competitive, giving Castellers the chance to really test their mettle.

On 23rd September The parade leaves the Maritime Museum (Metro Drassanes) at 21:00 and arrives at Plaça Sant Jaume at 22:00.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro Jaume I) 21st - 3 professional teams - 11:30.

24th - Local groups - 12:30.

(Right: Official poster for La Mercè 2014)

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

19th September The Inaugural Sardana Dance Imagine if the Hokey-Kokey was a well-respected tradition. Well, the Sardana dance isn’t far off. To celebrate the start of the festival, many Catalans take part in this huge community dance accompanied by Catalan music. Take part or just sit back and watch.

The First Celebration

After the dancing, the festival begins by intr ing the stars of the Mercè this year who w adorned in flowers, each one performing it dance to a 40-strong band of musicians fol by a firework display.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 19:50

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 19:00

20th September MercèDansa In 1993, city hall arranged a competition for a new Mercè celebration. This event won!

Visitors will see dances from the country, like the Devil’s Dance of l’Arboç (for the first time), the Sticks Dance, and of course the Sardana.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 19:00

Open doors - Albéniz Mansio

The Albéniz Mansion (Palauet Albéniz) is a tiful building that was built as a royal reside Barcelona. You get two days to visit it each and that’s during the Mercè. It’s stunning must visit.

Avinguda Estadi 65*69 (Metro Parallel - Get the Fun 20th & 21st from 11:00 to 21:00.

21st September Castellers - Professional teams Various castellers teams show off their abilities to make fantastic and breathtaking human towers.

The teams are The Castellers of Barcelona, the Minyons de Terrassa, and the record setting Castellers de Vilafranca.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 11:30

Correfoc for children

The sparks and flames of the full correfoc mi too much for children to handle, so luckily t one made specifically for children! The fire of this event are adjustable so the little one enjoy it too!

Via Laietana (Metro - Jaume I) at 18:30

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More events than you could possibly attend!

The Inaugural Parade

roducwill be ts own llowed

The parade that kicks off the Mercè, proudly marching the Gegants, big heads, devils, lion, mule, and many more typical figures from the festival that you´ll come to love.

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Leaving from Palau de la Virreina (Metro - Liceu) at 21:00 and strolling across las Ramblas, Carrer Ferran, Plaça Sant Miguel, Plaça Sant Jaume before heading back.

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The Guests of the Giants Parade It’s the 30th anniversary of the “Gegants Coordinators”, the society in charge of these fascinating pieces of culture. What better way to celebrate than getting to know the most historical giants from the past? It’s a rare chance to see them all in motion during this parade.

Leaving from Portal de Santa Madrona, heading across Las Ramblas (and other streets) (Metro - Drassanes) at 18:30

The Correfoc and gate from hell.

The correfoc begins with the opening of the gates of hell, from which the beasties and monsters that will be throwing the flames will exit to begin the adrenaline-fuelled Correfoc event!

Plaça Antoni Maura/ Via Laietana (Metro - Jaume I) The gates of hell begin opening at 20:00 and the run starts at 20:15.

Background image by Stasiu Tomczak

As aforementioned, there are over 600 different activities that will take place at the 2014 edition of the festival, which is a lot more than humanly possible for a single person to attend.

So what should you attend? Well, if you were paying attention on the previous page, there are three big unmissable events: Castellers, The Correfoc, and the Parade of the Gegants... But there are a number of other events well worth visiting.

We can’t list all of them here, because that would make this the Mercè Grapevine, but here is our calendar of what we think are the most unmissable events. In this column you’ll find re-occuring events. Enjoy!

The BARCEKHOLM Lightshow Each year, Barcelona chooses a city to participate in the proceedings. This year it’s Stockholm. Their team will bedazzle us with a fantastic animated lightshow projected onto the Ajuntament building.

The animation tells a love story between two buildings; the Ajuntament in Barcelona, and Arvfurstens Palats in Stockholm... Awh. Everyday at Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) 19th - 21:15, 21:45, 22:15. 23:00 20th - 20:45, 21:45, 22:45 21st & 22nd - 20:45, 21:15, 21:45, 22:15, 22:45 23rd - 20:45, 21:15, 21:45, 22:30, 23:00 24th - 20:45, 22:00, 22:30, 23:00

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Correfoc & Gegant Expositions

See for yourself the fantastic props used during the Mercè ‘up, close and personal’ Gegants - Maritime Museum (Metro - Drassanes).

Correfocs - Pl. Sant Jaume (Metro Jaume I).

Everyday. 10:00 - 20:00.

Circus Alfons and other circus events These guests from Stockholm perform a spectacle of fire, theatre, and circus. Full of lights, lasers, and effects.

Parc de la Ciutadella (Metro - Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica) 19th - 21:00, 00:00 20th & 23rd - 21:30, 23:45 21st - 22:00 24th - 21:00

Other Circus events in Ciutadella Park and Montjuic Castle throughout the festival.

FIreworks displays

22nd September Barcelona Symphonic Orchesta The Symphonic Orchestra of Barceona and Catalonia celebrates 70 years with 2 concerts, including a muscial commemoration to world famous Catalan artist Salvador Dalí.

Av Catedral 1 (Metro - Jaume I) 22nd & 23rd at 22:00

Discove designe Bookin

Plaça P

23rd September Xambanga de Gegants

Nit d’

The Xambanga of the Gegants is a massive parade of all the giants. Expect confetti, large crowds, music, and an all round good time.

Free co Sweden

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 21:00

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24th September The Morning Giant

Enjoy fireworks this year with 3 shows. One from Azerbaijan, Switzerland, and Japan with Catalonia!

For the children who couldn’t stay up late enough for the Xambanga. This one is for them!

Breakwater of Barceloneta beach (Metro - Barceloneta).

19th, 20th, and 21st at 22:00

Open Doors

Ciutadella park Saturno

Many of the “Open Doors” events happen only on the last day of the festival. Including the Picasso Museum, Pedralbes Monastery, Born Cultural Centre, Palau Güell and many more.

This Park was once was home to a theme park called Saturno. There will be daily activities based on this.

Guid

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 11:00

All around the city at various opening times

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Plaça Jo

The dan a (cons castelle

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The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

ded tour - Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences

Guided tour - The Maragall Archive House Museum

er the Royal Academy of Arts & Sciences ed by the architect Domènech i Estapà. ng required: www.casessingulars.com

Get an insight into the life of a 19th century Catalan poet - Joan Maragall - by touring what was once his house and art collection.

Pg Isabel II, 1 (Metro - Barceloneta) at 11:00 - €14

Plaça Pg Isabel II, 1 (Metro - Barceloneta) at 11:00

’Estocolm (Stockholm night)

oncerts by the best artists in Stockholm, n. Pop, hiphop, soul, and more.

Plaça de Joan Coromines / Plaça dels Àngels Both next to each other) (Metro - Universitat) from 21:30

The Asian Festival

“Taste the night” Nighttime gourmet market It’s tapas paradise when creative and original foods are on offer at this nocturnal market.

Carrer Llobregós 149 (Metro - El Carmel) Time still to be confirmed but will take place in the evening

The Final Parade

bration of all things Asian, with musical martial arts, dances, food, and more!

The Giants dance their way back to their storage, where they are kept until the Festival of St Eulalia.

oan Coromines - (Metro - Jaume I) at 11:00 - 21:00

Plaça del Rei (Metro - Jaume I) at 21:00

Dance of the eagle & Children Castellers

nce of the eagle is a sombre traditionwhere structed) eagle dances to music. After, local er teams compete.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 12:15

The Pyromusical There may be 3 other firework displays that come before it, but the display that tops them all is the finale of the festival. The pyromusical is show of lights, audiovisuals, fireworks, and music.

Av Reina Maria Cristina (Plaça d’Espanya) (Metro - Espanya) at 22:00 Background image by Stasiu Tomczak

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Correfoc & Gegant Expositions

See for yourself the fantastic props used during the Mercè ‘up, close and personal’ Gegants - Maritime Museum (Metro - Drassanes).

Correfocs - Pl. Sant Jaume (Metro Jaume I).

Everyday. 10:00 - 20:00.

Circus Alfons and other circus events These guests from Stockholm perform a spectacle of fire, theatre, and circus. Full of lights, lasers, and effects.

Parc de la Ciutadella (Metro - Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica) 19th - 21:00, 00:00 20th & 23rd - 21:30, 23:45 21st - 22:00 24th - 21:00

Other Circus events in Ciutadella Park and Montjuic Castle throughout the festival.

FIreworks displays

22nd September Barcelona Symphonic Orchesta The Symphonic Orchestra of Barceona and Catalonia celebrates 70 years with 2 concerts, including a muscial commemoration to world famous Catalan artist Salvador Dalí.

Av Catedral 1 (Metro - Jaume I) 22nd & 23rd at 22:00

Discove designe Bookin

Plaça P

23rd September Xambanga de Gegants

Nit d’

The Xambanga of the Gegants is a massive parade of all the giants. Expect confetti, large crowds, music, and an all round good time.

Free co Sweden

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 21:00

P (B

24th September The Morning Giant

Enjoy fireworks this year with 3 shows. One from Azerbaijan, Switzerland, and Japan with Catalonia!

For the children who couldn’t stay up late enough for the Xambanga. This one is for them!

Breakwater of Barceloneta beach (Metro - Barceloneta).

19th, 20th, and 21st at 22:00

Open Doors

Ciutadella park Saturno

Many of the “Open Doors” events happen only on the last day of the festival. Including the Picasso Museum, Pedralbes Monastery, Born Cultural Centre, Palau Güell and many more.

This Park was once was home to a theme park called Saturno. There will be daily activities based on this.

Guid

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 11:00

All around the city at various opening times

A celeb acts, m

Plaça Jo

The dan a (cons schools

P

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

ded tour - Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences

Guided tour - The Maragall Archive House Museum

er the Royal Academy of Arts & Sciences ed by the architect Domènech i Estapà. ng required: www.casessingulars.com

Get an insight into the life of a 19th century Catalan poet - Joan Maragall - by touring what was once his house and art collection.

Pg Isabel II, 1 (Metro - Barceloneta) at 11:00 - €14

Plaça Pg Isabel II, 1 (Metro - Barceloneta) at 11:00

’Estocolm (Stockholm night)

oncerts by the best artists in Stockholm, n. Pop, hiphop, soul, and more.

Plaça de Joan Coromines / Plaça dels Àngels Both next to each other) (Metro - Universitat) from 21:30

The Asian Festival

“Taste the night” Nighttime gourmet market It’s tapas paradise when creative and original foods are on offer at this nocturnal market.

Carrer Llobregós 149 (Metro - El Carmel) Time still to be confirmed but will take place in the evening

The Final Parade

bration of all things Asian, with musical martial arts, dances, food, and more!

The Giants dance their way back to their storage, where they are kept until the Festival of St Eulalia.

oan Coromines - (Metro - Jaume I) at 11:00 - 21:00

Plaça del Rei (Metro - Jaume I) at 21:00

Dance of the eagle & Children Castellers

nce of the eagle is a sombre traditionwhere structed) eagle dances to music. After, local s compete in Castellers.

Plaça Sant Jaume (Metro - Jaume I) at 12:15

The Pyromusical There may be 3 other firework displays that come before it, but the display that tops them all is the finale of the festival. The pyromusical is show of lights, audiovisuals, fireworks, and music.

Av Reina Maria Cristina (Plaça d’Espanya) (Metro - Espanya) at 22:00 Background image by Stasiu Tomczak

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Take a look at the official trailer created for La Mercè 2014.

It shows other events you may want to attend.

VIMEO

http://v com/10

O VIDEO :

vimeo.

05216020

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Author of The A t o Z of Spanish Culture, Pilar Orti understands what it is like to be an ex-Pat. Although born and bred in Spain she has lived in London for over twenty years.

Pilar’s Spain Uncovered Podcast interviews are an opportunity to see Spain through the eyes of those who have made it their home - In her words “what better way of bringing you closer to Spain than to bring you the voices of people living in the country right now?”

To hear Pilar’s interview with the Grapevine Editor, Gaile Griffin Peers, please follow this link, you can also listen to this interview and more on iTunes or Stitcher Radio on Android and PC www.spainuncoveredpodcast.net

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Issue 2 | Th e La nz ar

ot e Gr ap ev

in e 20 14

Issue 2 2014

The Grapevine.International website showcases Grapevine Magazines from across the world, with links to the latest issues. If you would like to hear about The Grapevine Magazines, what they are all about and why we love them, you may be interested in this Radio Interview with Gaile Griffin Peers, by Pilar Orti (www.spainuncoveredpodcast.net), where they discuss the magazines, their purpose, scope and potential. For more information about existing or planned Grapevine Magazines near you please contact the Editor@Grapevine.International

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Bringing Business Together across Spain Fue

Barcelona Grapevine Magazine has photographer Matthew Debnam at the helm.

Fuengirola Grapevine will be jampacked with fascinating articles and Lanzarote Grapevine Issue number 2 is about to be released.

Javea Grapevine is as full as ever.

Ideas are pouring in from across Spain and each community is already making their Grapevines their own. It is very exciting.

We have four more Costa del Sol Magazines due for imminent release and we hope to have a new Costa Blanca Magazine for you all soon heads up to golfers - this one will be for you!

Marina Alta Business Club (www. mabc.biz) is dedicated to promoting the communities and the businesses with whom we work.

We welcome new opportunities for collaboration with businesses, registered charities and communities.

Over the next few months we will be looking to work with partners across Spain. To find out more contact us:

Magazine Content

editor@grapevine.international

Magazine Advertising

ads@grapevine.international

Magazine Accounts

Ems@grapevine.international

or ring Marina Alta Business Club 966 461 913 manager@mabc.biz

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| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

One of the BIG questions asked by people moving to Spain from the UK is ‘Can I use the Spanish NHS?’ The answer is, it depends…..

The general information which follows will also apply to other EU citizens moving to Spain, although I’ll be referring specifically to how it works for a UK citizen. Possibly the most important thing to remember is that if you are living in Spain, you cannot legitimately use your UK issued EHIC to access healthcare here.

It is for holidaymakers only.

Access to the state healthcare system isn’t residence based, as it is in the UK. It’s contribution based. Which means that you can’t access state healthcare just because you live here; you have to pay for it by making contributions into the system.

So… how does that work?

Many people who move to Spain will move here to retire. If you’re in receipt of a state pension, then the UK will fund your healthcare in Spain by way of an S1 form, which you should apply for from the DWP in Newcastle when you are about to leave the UK. This will be sent to your address in Spain.

Not only is the person who receives the pension covered, but spouses & children are also, so make sure that you make it clear to the DWP as to how many of you need to be covered – they will need to be named.

Once you are registered as resident you get the S1 form(s) validated at the INSS (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social – Social security office) & they issue a Social Security number.

Take that, (along with all the other bits of paper you’ll find you need all the time: padrón, resident cert/ card, passport & not forgetting photocopies) to the local centro de salud & you’ll be issued with a tarjeta sanitaria.

But what if you’re not in receipt of a state pension?

If you were a registered resident of Spain, & fiscally resident before 24th April 2012, then you can access state healthcare for free, as long as your annual income is under 100,000 €.

If you aren’t already using the healthcare system you need to get in touch with the DWP in Newcastle & tell them that you live in Spain & that you need a ‘legislation letter’. You need one for each member of the family.

This letter informs Spain that you have no healthcare provision in the UK. You then take that & all the usual bits of paper plus form TA1 (which you can download) to the INSS ….you’ll be issued with a SS number…..and then you head to the centro de salud – again with the usual papers, & you’ll get a tarjeta sanitaria.

In some circumstances the UK will issue S1s to the family members of someone working in the UK & financially supporting that family which lives in Spain.

Contact the DWP to see if you qualify.

HEALTHCARE

IN SPAIN

One of the BIG questions asked by people moving to Spain from the UK is ‘Can I use the Spanish NHS?’ The answer is, it depends…..

by Lynn Cobb

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Of course, not everyone was resident here in April 2012, or perhaps hadn’t registered. In that case you will only be entitled to free state healthcare if you are working, either with a contract, or as self- employed/autónomo.

This would mean that you’ll be paying Social Security contributions, so can register for healthcare.

Registering is essentially as in the other two scenarios, except you won’t need anything from the UK – instead you’ll need your vida laboral.

If you have dependents, they will also be covered & you’ll need to register them as your dependents at the INSS. Not everyone under pensionable age comes here to work though.

Lots of people will come to retire early expect to live on savings, a company pension or similar.

These people cannot access state healthcare in Spain, so will need private healthcare.

In some regions there is now a ‘buy in’ scheme to state healthcare, known as the convenio especial, which means that once you have been a registered resident for 12 months, you can use the state system for a monthly fee. For someone under the age of 65 this is currently 60€ per month & 157€ per month, over the age of 65.

Some private health insurers charge less than this, but the main advantage of this scheme is that all pre-existing conditions are covered.

Not all regions offer this scheme, but the plan is that it will eventually be available nationwide.

Children.

All children under the age of 18 resident in Spain are entitled to free state healthcare. It isn’t always easy to convince the powers that be, that this is the case, but here’s a link to the info. on the govt. website. http://www.msssi.gob.es/fr/ gabinetePrensa/reformaSanidad/faq.htm

Prescriptions.

In the UK, prescription charges are set at a flat fee per item, regardless of what the medication is. Here in Spain we pay a percentage of the actual price of the medication. The percentage paid depends upon your personal circumstances.

As a general guide, pensioners pay 10%, with a cap of 8€ a month if annual income is under 18,000€, a cap of 18€ a month if annual income is between 18,000€ & 100,000€ & 60€ month if annual income is over 100,000€.

Generally if you are working you pay 40% if your annual income is under 18,000€, 50% if your annual income is between 18,000€ & 100,000€ & 60% if your annual income is over 100,000€.

There are further discounts for those with chronic conditions, with medication charged at 10%, with a maximum of 4.13€ per item. If you have access to healthcare via the convenio especial, then you will pay full costs of any medication.

Going on holiday from Spain.

If you are travelling outside Spain, but within the EU, you should carry an EHIC card, known as a TSE in Spain. If you are working here, or you qualify for state healthcare because you were resident before April 2012, you can apply for the TSE online here https://sede.seg-social.gob. es/Sede_1/ServiciosenLinea/ Ciudadanos/232000 or in person at the INSS office.

If you access healthcare by way of an S1 you need to telephone the DWP in Newcastle. T hey will issue you with a special EHIC which you can use outside Spain, including in the UK, when you visit there.

It is usually recommended that you also take out travel health insurance, because the EHIC/ TSE only covers you for essential treatment on holiday & wouldn’t, for instance, get you home should you need special medical transport.

If you are visiting anywhere in Europe for an extended holiday & take regular medication, you can ask your doctor here for a receta transfronteriza which can be used in a pharmacist in any European country.

You might be charged the full cost of the medication, depending on the rules in the country which you are visiting, & these costs cannot be recovered.

When using your EHIC/TSE you will also need to show your passport as proof of ID

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

http://youtu.be/cVA1RVa4kY4

Coming on holiday to Spain You should carry an EHIC card from the UK. This can be applied for online here : http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/ Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/ about-the-ehic.aspx Again, it is usually recommended that you also take out travel health insurance, because the EHIC only covers you for essential treatment on holiday, & wouldn’t for instance get you home should you need special medical transport.

The EHIC can only be used in a state centro de salud (health centre) or hospital.

There are many private medical facilities in Spain but you can not use the EHIC in them.

If you are coming for an extended holiday & take regular medication, you should ask your GP for a

cross-border prescription which you can use in a farmacia here in Spain.

You might be charged the full costs of the medication, & these costs cannot be recovered.

When using your EHIC you will also need to show your passport as proof of ID If you have lost or forgotten your EHIC, or if it has expired or been stolen and you need to see a doctor in Spain, to call the Overseas Healthcare Team (OHT) on 0044 191 219 1999 and request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).

Useful links: https://www.gov.uk/healthcarein-spain http://www.healthcareinspain.eu/ video.php http://www.healthcareinspain.eu/ the-ehic.php

Even if you are only in Spain as a visitor, there are steps you should take to protect yourself‌

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Lynn Cobb

!A FEW TIPS & TRICKS!

Learn Aprender www.learn-aprender.blogspot.com.es www.facebook.com/LearnAprender I’ve decided to give you a few tips & tricks this time – ways of extending your vocabulary without having to work too hard!! With these tips & tricks you have potentially 1000s of new words!

OPPOSITES ATTRACT? Maybe that’s true of people – but this is all about words in Spanish.

There are some ‘tricks’ for making opposites (antonyms) - & while they don’t work with everything – they are useful nonetheless.

This is done by adding a prefix - a few letters to the beginning of the word - & hey presto, you have the opposite!

The most common of these prefixes are a, anti, des, in.

normal – anormal constitucional – anticonstitucional empleo – desempleo frecuente - infrecuente

SHOPS & SHOPPING

Lynn Cobb

You’ve probably noticed that the names of a lot of shops make it obvious what is sold there. This is just one thing I love about the Spanish language – it’s so logical!

You might not realise that this logic extends to the person who either makes the goods or works in the shop. The words are formed by

adding something to the end of the name of the item - by adding a suffix.

It doesn’t work with all of them – but it does seem to with most!

ITEM, MAKER / SHOPKEEPER and SHOP pan panadero panadería helado heladero heladería café cafetero cafetería cerveza cervecero cervecería pelo peluquero peluquería carne carnicero carnicería

BUENOS AMIGOS I few months ago I wrote about ‘False Friends’…English & Spanish words which sound the same but mean something totally - & sometimes embarrassingly – different.

However, there are literally thousands of words in Spanish & English which sound the same, & pretty much mean the same too.

I have no intention of listing them all, but here are some guidelines. I’ve called them BUENOS AMIGOS Good Friends – technically they are known as cognates.

We have them because both English & Spanish have Latin & Greek roots.

I’ve given just a few examples for each – but there are many more!

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

www.learn-aprender.blogspot.com.es www.facebook.com/LearnAprender

Lynn Cobb

Learn Aprender

GROUP or PRIVATE SPANISH LESSONS in JĂ VEA, SPAIN. WRITTEN SPANISH-ENGLISH & ENGLISH-SPANISH TRANSLATION SERVICE anywhere in the world! Fully legal invoices No job too big or too small Confidential Service E-mail learn-aprender@hotmail.com for a personalised quote fully legal invoices

Lynn Cobb

X 5642921 D

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

AL/AL Some words are actually the same – or very nearly!! radical universal essential horizontal gradual

radical universal esencial horizontal gradual

TION / CIÓN Lots of English words which end in TION, will end in CIÓN in Spanish& will generally mean the same. tradition celebration hospitalisation investigation ventilation

tradición celebración hospitalisación investigación ventilación

LY / MENTE There are 100s of English words which end in LY – in Spanish they will end in MENTE here are just a few – there are many more finally naturally normally immediately perfectly

finalmente naturalmente normalmente inmediatamente perfectamente

ARY/ARIO Many English words ending with ARY, will end with ARIO in Spanish canary extraordinary hereditary imaginary necessary

www.learn-aprender.blogspot.com.es www.facebook.com/LearnAprender Lynn Cobb

Learn Aprender

canario extraordinario hereditario imaginario necessario

IC/ICO, MENT/MENTO, ISM/ISMO & IVE/IVO These are easy – often you just put an O on the end…….. yes I know some people do that to everything – but sometimes you really can! athletic atlético document documento electromagnetism electromagnetismo patriotism patriotismo effective efectivo exclusive exclusivo

NCE/NCIA A lot of English words which end in NCE, simply change to NCIA in Spanish audience ambulance violence tolerance existence

audiencia ambulancia violencia tolerancia existencia

OR/OR Some hardly change at all…if indeed at all…. actor error radiator pastor ulterior

actor error radiador pastor ulterior

TY/DAD Many words which end in TY in English, change to DAD in Spanish security entity curiosity electricity reality

securidad entidad curiosidad electricidad realidad

AND IT EVEN WORKS WITH LOTS OF VERBS….

IFY/E to AR/IR adore use imagine introduce decide interfere justify simplify modify

adorar usar imaginar introducir decidir interferir justificar simplificar modificar

So – with just those tricks you can increase your vocabulary by 1000s of words – literally! …… and because it has been such a hot summer – I can’t think of anything better than this…….. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IW6UNOyjIs0

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=X-77txuiVXs

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Websites for all Check out our new Real Estate system, from only 24E per month see the demo at hotcostademo.com

Talk to computergenius@hotcosta.com Don’t let your competitors leave you behind

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

If your website has hiccups, and doesn’t always behave as it should or if you know that you should be on the internet, but just haven’t got round to it yet

HotCosta can help Support all the way, from southern Spain. 5 pages of WordPress, or tens of thousands of pages of holidays.

Multilingual sites, and speciality business sites You can have a new site built from scratch, giving you the fullest control over what appears where and when. Or perhaps you already have a site that could be improved or updated - not a problem!

Plus hosting on our own reliable servers at sensible prices.

We are always on the lookout for developers, designers, SEO people, and sales people who want to work with us.

Real Estate sites a speciality - and check out our new Real Estate system, from only 24E per month see the demo at

hotcostademo.com Talk to computergenius@hotcosta.com

Don’t let your competitors leave you behind

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Barcelona for the foodies

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Photo by Terence Lim

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

A Tapas Paradise of Gràcia The top 5 places to get some tapas in Gràcia, Barcelona.

From small town to L’Anxoveta Carrer de Sant Domenech, 1416 tapas capital.

Gràcia has come a long way in the last few hundred years. What was once a small independent village is now one of the hippest hoods in Barcelona, and it seems that every time we turn a corner, something new has popped up among the century-old family-run establishments. Between the cool, modern edge of a cosmopolitan city neighborhood and the old, classic nostalgia of small-town life, Gràcia is pretty much the best of both worlds.

And for foodies like us, there couldn’t be a better place to chow down. We love the mixture of tradition and modern, and we love the fact that there is just so much to choose from. Whether we’re in the mood for mom’s home cooking or tapas with a twist, we will be sure to find it in Gràcia.

And because we’re so passionate about the eats in this neighborhood, we’ve made this brief guide to some of our favorite tapas bars in Gràcia.

So as the Catalans say, bon profit!

La Xula Tapería

Carrer Mare de Deu dels Desemparats, 18

by Renée Christensen

La Xula Tapería has only been around for a year but it’s already made big moves in the Barcelona gastronomic scene, thanks to their unpretentious but all the same topnotch tapas. And these aren’t just any tapas either.

Though the chefs at La Xula don’t get too wacky with ingredients, their creative combinations and careful presentation make for a special experience all around. We love the red tuna tataki, or the sonsos, a plateful of tiny battered fish, a Catalan treat.

If you’re feeling indulgent, try the jamón with truffle paste, or the salmon tartar.

(Image: Bottom)

You know when you discover an amazing hidden gem you are so, so excited about that you want to share it with everyone and no one at the same time? That’s what happens with L’Anxoveta. Run by the most charming of couples, Carlos and Maite, the story of this little restaurant is enough in itself to bring you back for more.

Carlos and Maite were just a few of thousands hit hard by the economic crisis, but that didn’t put them off.

They realized that in order to find work, they’d have to create it themselves, thus opening up L’Anxoveta and creating a menu that is all about homemade, good quality, traditional dishes. Oh, and here’s another secret...their vermouth is the best in town.

(Image: Top)

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

La Pepita

Casa Pagès

Bar Bodega Quimet

We should probably start with a disclaimer on this one: La Pepita almost always has a wait.

Having tapas at Casa Pagès, as the name implies, is like dining in a farmhouse kitchen. There is something extremely cozy about this corner bar, owned and operated by a Galician couple, Pedro and Albina, who sure know what they’re doing when it comes to home-made eats. They are particularly famous for their grand variety of sandwiches, all named after philosophers. Don’t leave without trying the alioli, made the traditional way with a mortar and pestle

There are plenty of bars in Barcelona that will take you back in time, but one of our favorites is Bar Bodega Quimet, located on a sleepy street away from the hustle and bustle of the center of Gracia. Beautiful mosaic floors combined with vintage posters and dusty bottles and barrels of wine make for an absolutely charming experience, all the while munching on surprisingly delicate tapas. We love the papas arrugas, a Canary Island-style boiled potato dish, or the chorizo scramble

. If you’re feeling like something more modern, head to their son Albert’s Cafe Pagès (Carrer Torrent de L’Olla, 27) just around the corner. We recommend the enormous bomba, a very typical Catalan dish consisting of a fried potato ball with a center of minced meat and topped with alioli and spicy bravas sauce.

Devour Barcelona Food Tours is dedicated to helping hungry visitors discover this beautiful city through its gastronomy. We are a small team of food-lovers based in Barcelona, with a passion for sharing its exquisite cuisine. We offer an off-the-beaten-path foodie exploration of one of Barcelona’s most picturesque neighborhoods, Gràcia.

Carrer de Còrsega, 343

But it’s worth it!

How else do you justify dozens of people willing to hang around for an hour and a half before dinner?

La Pepita gets its name from a the famous pork sandwiches called pepitos.

But pepitos aren’t all that’s on the menu.

Modern fusion tapas are what really make this place worth the wait, from the anchovies topped with parmesan cheese to the outstanding and original desserts.

Carrer de la Llibertat, 19

Carrer Vtic, 23

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Don’t forget to put Barcelona Cooking on your travel agenda next time you visit Barcelona.

Barcelona Cooking is the most recommended recreational cooking school in Barcelona. It offers daily hands on Spanish cooking classes for visitors to the city and is truly a unique memory and experience to take home. The school is located on Barcelona’s most famous street - Las Ramblas - just a stone’s throw from the world famous Boqueria market.

A typical class includes a moneycan’t-buy insiders’s guide to shopping in the Boqueria market, three hours of participatory cooking and a four course meal. Typical dishes include Spanish omelette, sea food paella and Catalan cream.

Another popular class is the Paella demonstration class, probably Spain’s most well-known dish. The visitors to this class can sit back and enjoy watching how a traditional paella is made.

Food tours too!

Another offering is an in depth food tour of the Gothic quarter; a thoughtful selection of local “off the beaten path” restaurants that provide guests with traditional Spanish and Catalan tapas. In addition to sampling tapas, if time permits, you can also visit artisan specialty food shops, where you will be acquainted with some of the best products offered in the Gothic Quarter. The professional guides have thorough knowledge of the local history and provide great detail along the walk between destinations.

Quality classrooms Barcelona Cooking has two teaching kitchens with views of Las Ramblas.

La Roja is a contemporary and sociable space, full of natural light and colour and La Blau has a welcoming Mediterranean feel, designed with modernist Catalan influence and beautiful contemporary wooden furniture. The ceiling height windows let the warm Barcelona light stream in.

The Barcelona Cooking chefs are all professionally trained, Cándido, the executive chef trained at Mey Hoffman in Barcelona, before embarking on his own cooking dream.

The chefs are proud to source the highest quality ingredients for their classes, many seasonal and locally grown, direct from farmers at the Boqueria market. The team understands sustainable principles, practices and the human impact on the environment. Farm to table is a way of life for the Barcelona Cooking chefs. Fortunately the Catalan region is rich in resources with farmlands, vineyards, olive groves and the sea.

Above all, what sets Barcelona Cooking apart are the people running it; the chefs and Barcelona Cooking team all have an incredible energy and genuine passion for teaching people about the food of their land.

Barcelona Cooking welcomes visitors from all over the world and most classes are given in English, with Spanish/English bilingual chefs.

There are also classes available in Spanish or in Russian.

Joining a class Classes start from 35 euros for a paella demonstration class, 65 euros for the Spanish cooking class and 78 euros for the Spanish cooking class with Boqueria market tour.

The classes are all designed for both accomplished and novice cooks, there are activities in the food preparation process for every skill level.

Barcelona Cooking also boasts its own private label premium Rioja red and Galician white wines which are served while guests enjoy the meal just prepared. All the class menus can be adapted to accommodate food restrictions.

ing demonstrations, kitchen rentals, product launch events, business meetings, TV productions, study abroad students, corporate team building events, and travel groups.

Who can take part?

Most importantly, the travel industry’s most valued critics, travellers themselves, are the people who have given Barcelona more excellent reviews on Tripadvisor than any other cooking school in Barcelona and has voted it number 1 on Yelp.

Barcelona Cooking is also a premier destination for corporate teambuilding and private cooking events.

Each event is designed to be fun, educational, interactive, and engaging.

Groups of teammates or friends can participate in the preparation of various dishes under the thoughtful guidance of Barcelona Cooking’s chef instructors.

Barcelona Cooking has experience in all types of event from birthday parties, anniversary parties, family reunions, bridal showers, bachelorette /hen /stag parties, holiday parties, gourmet groups, singles / meet up events, celebrity chef cook-

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

Most events last 3 to 4 hours.

Visitors’ reviews include accolades such as ‘An absolute must do in Barcelona’,

Cook like a local!

‘I’d give this 6 stars if I could’ and ‘Best tour in Barcelona’.

Don’t miss out on your next visit to Barcelona.

For more information and for some of the most popular recipes go to the Barcelona Cooking website www.barcelonacooking.net

Barcelona Cooking is serving up a recipe for good fun and great food!

by Kate Jenner

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Easy to follow recipes from the Barcelona Cooking YouTube channel, where you can find videos to whet your appetite.

https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=PcQXs-tTthY

https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=RZmCsRhvF4Q

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=3njKiiq7Iug

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Photo by moviment cívic d’espanya i catalans

A message In this section of the Barcelona with a theme that is not English editorials Over time it has become more topic of the call for independence there are those calling for a new as a motive for moving on and on for union, citing strength When you come to Barcelona, enough so when you encounter what is going on rather At the Barcelona Grapevine, from organisations in each camp those in favour of not seperating, “Moviment Cívic d’Espanya i after 2 years); and from those who independence, a member of Both think that Catalonia is better what each has to say and by the why this is such an emotional of us who are passionate

Union or Indep

The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014|

from the Editor Grapevine, we’re going to deal one you’ll typically find in about the city. and more difficult to escape the here in Catalonia. On one side path for Catalonia, citing injustice the other there are those calling as a reason to stay. we want you to be informed the subject you can understand than being blind to it. we’ve invited two experts to tell their side of the story. From we have Manel Parra, president of catalans” (he has recently stepped down are calling for a referendum on “Help Catalonia”, Alex Furest. off their way, so have a look at end of this, hopefully, you’ll see and sensitive subject for those about Barcelona, our home.

pendence?

Photo by Assemblea.cat

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

A more united Spain Better together Catalonia is Spain - a wonderful community of Spain.

by Manel Parra

What is Catalonia?

Catalonia is a very important Autonomous Community of Spain. Catalonia is a marvelous corner of Spain where you can enjoy beautiful beaches, landscapes, theme parks, as well as all kinds of festivities and exhibitions.

Spain has the second highest number of nature reserves out of all the countries in the world.

The history of Spain in the last decades has been a great account of good work and self-improvement...

And we don’t want that account to go awry or slow down.

Who are the Catalans?

The Catalan people are those who live, work, and create in this land.

We, the Catalans, bank on what united us with the rest of Spain, because together, we form a great country with an ample linguistic, literary and artistic diversity, among many other riches of all kinds .

We share great achievements in all fields of the arts and sciences along with the entirety of the other communities of Spain. As Catalans, we are lucky enough to belong to a great nation like Spain; a wonderful sum of so

many things, providing this large and attractive variety thanks to our union.

This diversity within the unity that we treasure enriches us all.

We hope that, when you visit us, study about us or learn about us, you enjoy it, and keep exploring Spain.

We say that from our hearts.

Stronger unity, not independence.

The referendum will be illegal and the process “that claims to be the genuine expression of democracy fails all criteria defining what democracy means in an advance society: Rule of Law, representative institutions and plurality.” That’s all there is to it.

If one or anyone wants changes (and important ones at that), then these changes must be made within a normal procedure of reform abiding by our Constitution.

We believe it’s much better to maintain and strengthen bridges with the rest of Spain. It’s good, not just for the Catalan people, but also for all the Spanish people.

Times are tough, and sometimes when the worst things happen to us, we don’t know it yet, but they’re making room for great things in our lives.

The citizens of Catalonia have known in such moments how to contribute passionately alongside the rest of the Spaniards. Usually we pass through these difficulties and concerns altogether. We hope that this time we can react against a project of severe involution and regression, that could turn out very negative and harm all of us.

they decide to choose to express this.

We therefore defend with absolute normality the values in which our democracy stands, both in Catalonia and Spain: freedom and loyalty, self-government and co-responsability, respect and fraternity. To put it in fewer words, coexistence, solidarity and a common interest among all our communities.

The frequently cited right to decide, along with other euphemisms intended to sweeten a non-existent right to secession, is a fallacy, and a cheater’s approach to self-determination, which is not legal under the constitution of Spain or international law. What does exist is the right of the public to respect the current legislation, and that any political aspirations and reforms be made through the established legal routes, provided they comply with the constitutional principles of reform.

We want to express in a positive manner how we feel and who we are, as well as what we want to continue being and feeling in the days ahead. We do all of this in order to continue helping and participating in the progress and well-being of Catalonia, as well as the whole of Spain.

A movement against independence As our first Manifiesto said: “Several social groups as well as civic and cultural associations, social networks and individual citizens - on a personal basis- have decided to come together in order to share our beliefs and wishes.”

We would like to invite all Catalans to express that we are Spaniards, while at the same time being Catalans, and we invite them to use whatever means

Catalonia and Spain together have a rich and diverse culture, and a dense network of emotions and customs, social, commercial and business projects, family ties and emotional bonds.

There are interconnections in all areas of life, public and institutional, but also private and family. The success of the secessionist movements will inevitably cause the fracture of this historic and present reality and could have adverse and unpredictable consequences for everyone.

We want to participate in everything that all of us Spaniards share, while maintaining our own identity.

We therefore declare our full commitment towards all these points and we appeal to the political parties, trade unions and entrepreneurial organizations, to the mass media and to all citizens to act in an honest way and always have the common interest in mind. Dialogue and coexistence as a first objective.

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in Catalonia and Spain, like the acts that take place on la Diada by separatist groups. We are calling for concentrations on the 12th of October at Pl. Catalunya as well as on the 6th of December (Day of the Constitution), all in order to show support for a stronger union.

During these events and other activities such as book presentations, exhibitions, conferences, etc. there is nothing more we commit to than the value we place in a long history of unity among the Catalans and the whole of Spain, through social cohesion, solidarity, and legal and constitutional stability and guarantee of individual freedoms and equal citizenship.

Therefore, we would like to use this chance during this time of tension and uncertainty generated by some breakaway movements that seek to destroy our unity by attacking democracy, constitutional legality, solidarity among all Spaniards to appeal for harmony and unity among all Catalan and Spanish set, regardless of ideology or place of origin.

Regardless of what you might read about us in certain media, we bet on democracy, pacifism, plurality, and liberty and union across all of Spain.

“We are Catalans and we feel we are Spanish too. This is a firm and determined call in favour of unity, understanding and compromise. Let’s go!

Som-hi!”

We believe that Catalan society deserves our common effort to go through this difficult situation and that only as one while maintaining each other can we all succeed.

Join our rally against independence We as an organization urge and promote the conjointment alongside other groups, to manifest on important days

“Som catalans i ens sentim espanyols. Una aposta ferma i decidida a favor de la unitat, l’entesa i el compromís.Som-hi!”

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Catalonias History Kingdom of Aragon

Catalan Independence

101 Catalonia is not Spain - a nation in its own right.

by Àlex Furest

“I’m a Catalan. [Catalonia is] today a province of Spain. But what is Catalonia? Catalonia has been the greatest nation in the world”. - Pau Casals (composer of the U.N. anthem) to the U.N. Assembly upon receiving the Medal of Peace from Secretary General U Thant (1971).

It might sound grandiloquent, but certainly, Catalonia (or if you prefer the Kingdom of Aragon) was - between the thirteenth and fifteenth century - a world power. It was the Mediterranean dominator. Not a “soft power” by any means.

Catalonia, whose flag dates to 1050, was a nation with one of the first Parliaments in 1192, the first “Constitution” in 1283, and first “president” in 1359 (alongside a ruling king). It is an ancient nation. Despite the name “Kingdom of Aragon”, the royal court was based in Barcelona, the kings were Catalan (the “house of Barcelona”) and the official language in court and administration was Catalan.

In fact the union was a confederation of two independent states under a sole crown, with no loss of identity for either kingdom. The name ‘Aragon’ – due to the kingdom’s constitutional agreement, the marriage between Aragon’s Peronella with Catalonia’s Ramon Berenguer IV- persisted throughout the history to highlight the union/confederation of both kingdoms.

The “Catalan” empire (major conquers were done with no Aragonian support) was a power in the middle age, controlling the north shore of the Mediterranean, passing also through Naples, Malta and Sicily. Even cities on the south coast –Africa- depended on the Catalan empire, although there was no territorial conquer.

King Martin the Humane In 1412, after the King Martin the Humane died with no heir, the Kingdom

of Castille succeeded in a manipulated compromise (Casp Agreement, 1412) to change the ruling dynasty in the Kingdom of Aragon and put a new dynasty coming from Castille (the Trastamaras).

50 years later the king of Aragon, Ferdinand, married the queen of Castille, Isabella –both belonging to different branches of the Trastamara family-, creating the myth of the “Catholic Kings” and starting in a wrong and intentional way what Spanish historians depict as “the birth of Spain”.

There was no birth of Spain, but a union of 2 independent kingdoms under a single crown –as with the Kingdom of Aragon model-, and this political status of “de facto” independence remained untouched by Charles I, Philip II, Philip III, Philip IV and Charles II .

The War of Succession That is until the War of Succession (1702-1714), where Philip V destroyed the ancient system and reduced Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, València and Aragon to the laws and customs of the Kingdom of Castille.

In fact in many documents of these times, Catalans and Castillians treat each other as “foreigners”, so there is no doubt about the non-existence of a united Spain.

Another friction point was the funding of the military campaigns of the Kingdom of Castille. Catalonia denied to fund the Kingdom of Castille in their imperialist and ruinous endeavours.

This added anger to the relationship between Castille and Catalonia. It boosted anti-catalanism that was represented then by writers like Quevedo and his bitter sentences against Catalans.

What caused the war? The Spanish Austria’s dynasty ended with the death of Charles II (1700) and then the fumble for the heir to the Spanish crown started. The claimants were Charles of Austria and Philip of Anjou. The Archduke Charles of

Austria committed to respect and defend the existant status quo (de facto independence for the different “kingdoms”), but Philip of Anjou was determined to import to Spain the French model (the Jacobin model, centralization and only one sole ruling power, all submitted to the rules and customs of Castille).

On one side - England, the Austrian Empire and Aragonian Kingdom...

France and Castille on the other. Political events caused England and the Archduke to abandon the war, leaving Catalonia to its fate. With no allies, absolutely alone, Catalonia could not resist a war against two powerful armies.

And thus, in this dramatic way Catalonia lost its “independence” (the self rule Catalonia had until 1714 meant practically it was an independent country to our modern eyes).

The oppression began After defeat, a long history of repression over the Catalans began. Culture and language were oppressed, and an economic plundering strategy began that persists today. Examples of harassment to Catalan culture include a total Catalan ban (forbidden to talk in Catalan on the phone, teach in Catalan, hold religious ceremonies in Catalan, perform theatre in Catalan…). This situation persisted since 1714 and through the nineteenth century, and also in the beginning of the twentieth century.

But after the Civil War (1936-39) under Franco’s dictatorship the repressive policy acquired tones of mental illness. And today in a hidden way, this feeling that Catalan must be deleted forever is still alive between a large part of the Spanish population.

Linguistic discrimination against Catalan is still alive today. Plataforma per la Llengua, an NGO in defense of Catalan has gathered 40 current cases of linguistic discrimination in public administration.

But cultural harassment or economic plundering were not the only losses. With the triumph of Philip V, absolutism won the battle. This way a system where once freedom and individual rights were protected was replaced by a system where only the king’s will sourced everything. It was like entering a dark night that lasted formally until 1975, with consequences we feel today.

The modern plundering Regarding the economic reasons, the size of the plundering of the Catalan economy is so huge that is quite difficult to believe.

Every single year about 8% of the Catalan GDP (€16 bn) flies to Madrid without returning to Catalonia, who shares in a forced way this wealth.

Despite this, Catalonia suffers the reputation of “thieves”, being despised and insulted by a very significant part of the Spanish population.

Meanwhile a significant part of the Catalan population lacks necessary welfare state services available in other Spanish regions, and the economy is impacted.

Distinct cultures

“Be a patriot – Don’t be a barbarian. You’re a gentleman and patriot if you speak Spanish. Long live Spain, discipline and our Cervantinian language. Arriba (up) Spain!”

There are huge cultural differences between Catalonia and Spain, but one of the areas where this difference is crystal clear is in the respect for animals. Animals are in some places of Spain an amusement tool, a toy. Needless to talk about the sav-

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agery of bullfighting (banned in Catalonia, but under threat to be restored

by Madrid), but other barbaric practices like The Goat’s Jump (el Salto de la Cabra), where a goat is thrown from the top of a belltower to the ground, or The Vega’s Bull (el Toro de la Vega), where a bull is pierced to death with poles by a crowd.

More peaceful and civic celebrations are common in Catalonia. Needless to talk about the day of St. George (the celebration of the book and the rose), where men give a rose to women in gallantry and ladies give a book as a present to the men (well, nowadays women also get a book, and vice versa, of course). Or Castellers, an example of collective cooperation, where a group joins to the service of a common objective: to raise a human tower. And needless to talk about a dance that lacks the minimum sign of aggressivity like the “sardana” (where dancers dance composing a circle).

So for historical, cultural, economic and even sentimental reasons, a lot of Catalans have already “disconnected” from Spain and want independence. We are convinced –based on 3 centuries of living alongside “Spain/Castille”- that Spain will never be a comfortable home for us (a relationship based in the domination of Spain over Catalonia), so finally the only solution we see is the independence, to build our own home, where we’ll rule ourselves. Catalonia is treated as a property, as a colony, and we want to stop this.

That’s why we want to vote in Nov 9th.

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Is the Catalan langauge persecuted in 2014? What proof shows it is/isn’t?

The Grand Debate Union

No it isn’t. Catalan is established as a language that is used in Catalonia in all fields.

However, people don’t respect bilingualism or the fact that Spanish has also the Rank of lingua franca in the area, creating an exclusive monolingualism.

How much influence will the Scottish referendum result have on Catalans?

We believe that, regardless the results, many citizens of Europe will be attentive on Scotland’s referendum.

However, it is very inappropriate that economic reasons prevail or that there are physical and mental barriers that have been imposed in Europe keeping in mind that the fathers of the Union, after the crude WW2, tried making a place that is united and in peace.

What makes the planned referendum in Catalonia illegal?

Barcelona Grapevine asks...

The referendum is illegal because it’s a euphemism defined as the “right to self-determination” - a term legally used for colonies or oppressed territories with violated human rights.

This is not the case of Catalonia.

The Constitution was voted with more votes from Catalans than the rest of Spain, and it states self-government resides with all Spaniards.

The Constitution states when a referendum can be called, and it’s not this “consultation”, which asks something that affects all Spaniards.

How likely is a referendum to happen on 9N? If the Constitutional Tribunal is honest and objective, it will consider this consultation is inappropriate.

It doesn’t ask for something that only affects Catalans and it doesn’t follow the terms of the actual Estatut.

The government will summon this appeal and it would be silly that parties no-one voted would make a simulation of this consultation, with ballot boxes in the streets and without any security or fairness to it.

If the referendum goes ahead, what effect would a ‘yes’ result have?

Everyone states, at least to the public, it’s not a referendum but a consultation.

It is clear that people who want it, also want accomplished facts; imposing a date, nonsensical questions, protocols, etc.

On the other hand, Scotland has been discussing this for years, in a debate with compromise from everyone.

It’s strange there are parties that want this consultation but haven’t stated if they will vote for or against it... or who knows what.

What effect would a ‘no’ result have?

If there’s a consultation made by parties no-one voted, thus having no legitimacy at all, it is clear a large number of Catalans won’t vote.

Only people that agree in dividing Catalonia will vote to separate it from the rest of Spain.

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We’ve already experienced this situation before, and even with the cheating methods used, the amount of people that voted didn’t even reach 20% of citizens.

Could Catalonia survive economically without the rest of Spain?

The question is would it be optimal and desirable? Catalonia, and any of its areas, like the Vall d’Arán, could survive.

The thing is, we believe that we would be worse off in every way with a secession; there would be more problems to guarantee the diversity, culture, inclusion, economic progress and unity.

Could the rest of Spain survive economically without Catalonia?

Catalonia works better when Spain works better, and history proves that this is a fact for both sides.

We believe that together, both Catalonia and Spain benefit in all ways.

What’s important here is not survival, but that seperation will cause the hearts of many Spaniards and Catalans to break.

Lots of good things keep us together: education, literature, civism, institutions, music, culture, jobs, businesses... It’s throwing away this heritage we’ve been sharing all these years.

Does Catalonia currently get a “fair deal” from Spain economically?

The way citizens are treated is the same all over Spain. However, autonomic governments have varied obligations. All balance favors Catalonia with exception to

fiscal. There is a deficit (not as bad as people say) in line with other regions.

Catalonia has always had the rest of Spain as a great trade partner, with investments generating wealth here.

with the rest of Spain. The future is ours in a more democratic European Union that guarantees peace, unity and security.

It’s illogical to create barriers, fragment or follow absurdities that separatists defend.

It’s a place that welcomes visitors and Catalans work in all fields.

Can an independent Catalonia join the EU?

There is no discrimination, but a very tight relationship.

With all that has been said, the answer is no...

If Catalonia were to become independent; should Catalan clubs like FC Barcelona be able to play in Spanish leagues?

And we’ve heard from many EU presidents and spokespeople.

According to the Union’s treaty there’s no chance, since the integrity of territory depends on the legal status of its members.

In this, and many other subjects, the nationalists believe they can impose their beliefs.

It’s silly to think one could do a “tailor-made independence”, accepting only points that are convenient for them.

We believe, like many Catalan sports players (even from FC Barcelona), that union makes us strong.

In fact, our biggest team sports successes are from unity, healthy competition, positive values and no-one is discriminated due the part of Spain they come from.

Are there any alternatives to independence?

Catalonia has the highest level of self-government it has ever had.

Even with the previous Estatut, Spain’s government gives us competencies that weren’t ours to start with.

Speaking about alternatives to something negative isn’t complex; people compromise and unite more, finding ways to coordinate

Spain is a democratic state with a consolidation of human rights, elections and mechanisms that make us part of the Union.

Even the biggest nationalists accept this.

There won’t be silver bridges for a divide of Catalonia and shattering of Spain.

With just 75 words. How would you appeal to someone who knows nothing about the situation in Catalonia?

Catalonia is a wonderful land that, with the rest of the communities, shares an inseparable bond with Spain.

By shattering this, we act foolishly, like willingly amputating a vital part of our body. To overcome obstacles and reach our goals we must stay together.

As the poet Salvador Espriu said “the more divided we are, more we lack liberty”. Unity strengthens and benefits both sides. Without it, it becomes difficult to overcome the problems. #Bettertogether

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Is the Catalan langauge persecuted in 2014? What proof shows it is/isn’t?

Catalan is persecuted smarter way.

The Grand Debate

Independence

in

Without a referendum it’s impossible to quantify and to take up the issue. a

After being weakened for three centuries the status is now a second order language.

Spanish is mandatory for everybody in the Spanish Constitution, Catalan doesn’t hold that status in Catalonia.

You can live normally in Spanish, but not in Catalan. The report of ‘Plataforma per la Llengua’ shows 40 reported cases of linguistic harassment in the public administration. How many in the real daily life?

How much influence will the Scottish referendum result have on Catalans?

A positive result in Scotland would boost the Catalan options, first because the moral injection in case of a Yes victory and also because the EU should take a decision on new states within EU members.

Barcelona Grapevine asks...

But just the sole fact that Scots could vote is a success as it highlights the Spanish retrograde position.

And the situation of Scotland within the UK is not comparable to the one of Catalonia within Spain (considerably worse) What makes the planned referendum in Catalonia illegal?

The referendum in Catalonia – that wouldn’t have any legal effect - is illegal because the will of the Spanish Government to hide a reality: a lot (the majority?) of the Catalan people want independence.

If this reality comes to light, this would crash with the will of Spain to keep – even against our will – Catalonia within Spain. Catalonia is treated like a property.

How likely is a referendum to happen on 9N? Today it’s a question mark. The Spanish Government will employ every single legal weapon to boycott and avoid the normal development of the referendum.

The Catalan Parliament will approve soon the “Consultation Act” ( without “referendum” to remark the low profile).

But this law will be appealed to the Constitutional Court, and when Spanish Government appeals, the law validity is suspended.

And obviously President Mas doesn’t want to do any illegal action.

If the referendum goes ahead, what effect would a ‘yes’ result have?

A yes in the Catalan referendum would push the Catalan Government to negotiate the terms of the Independence with the Spanish Government.

And this scenario is the one that the Spanish Governement wants to avoid.

It’s extremely difficult for Spain to accept in a peaceful way the segregation of Catalonia.

Catalonia is a spoil of war, and if Spain didn’t negotiate in the previous independence of 22 colonies, it seems very unlikely that it would negotiate today.

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What effect would a ‘no’ result have?

The scenario of a no is possible, but apparently very difficult (taking into account both polls/ surveys and social mobilisation).

In any case if this were the case it would be for a narrow margin, so this could be subject to changes in the future if the Spanish Government wouldn’t change its policies towards Catalonia.

Could Catalonia survive economically without the rest of Spain?

If professors of Columbia, Princeton, Harvard and the London School of Economics (Padró, Ventura, Galí, Sala-i-Martin, Boix, Antràs) and other with high prestige (Bosch, Bel, Requejo, Viver Pí-Sunyer) are validating the feasibility of an independent Catalonia, we should consider this proof enough. Okay, these are Catalan.

Let’s go for foreigners: Kenneth Rogoff (IMF), James MacKintosh (FT), Gary Becker (Nobel 1992), Erling Kydland (Nobel 2004). This is not tomfoolery.

Could the rest of Spain survive economically without Catalonia?

Absolutely yes. The “benefit” of owning Catalonia is for Spain (fiscal deficit) €16 bn/year.

For Catalonia it’s a huge amount of economic resources (8% GDP, €2.200 per capita), but for Spain this is just the 2% of GDP (€400 per capita). If one loses 2% of income, it’s annoying, but not destroying.

Another question is how the wealth sharing mechanisms should be modified in Spain to compensate for this “imbalance”.

Does Catalonia currently get a “fair deal” from Spain economically?

Not at all. The first economic measure after the defeat in 1714 was a “poll tax” that multiplied fiscal pressure by 7.

The plundering continues today.

Since 1986, Catalonia contributed to the Spanish budget with €230 bn of “solidarity” resources (the difference between Catalan tax revenue and investment, pensions and social benefits received by the Catalan population), 8% of GDP. With 16% of population and 19% of Spanish GDP it receives just 10% of investment.

If Catalonia were to become independent; should Catalan clubs like FC Barcelona be able to play in Spanish leagues?

If Spain behaves smartly, the best option would be to start “Iberian” competitions jointly with Portugal (much more attractive than today’s matches).

FC Barcelona is also an important asset for the Spanish League.

However, it’s difficult to predict.

Probably this will be impossible.

Another alternative could be joining the French leagues or create Catalan ones.

But the independence of Catalonia is important enough to be above questions like these.

Are there any alternatives to independence?

Three centuries of shared life showed us that Spain (performed by the Castillian culture) only considers the assimilation of the

different cultures in the Iberian peninsula. Only Portugal escaped to this (because they got independence).

Catalonia spent the last 150 years trying to “modernise” Spain and make it a comfortable place to live, but we failed. Result: the only Catalan Prime Minister in Spanish history was killed and floods of anti-catalanism. Total failure.

Can an independent Catalonia join the EU? This should be situation.

the

natural

Catalonia is a net contributor to the EU budget (1.5 bn €/year) and we’ve been 30 years in it.

But if the EU would act foolishly and as a result of a democratic act expel us, then we should face this.

Joining EFTA would be a possible solution. What is clear is that being in the EU but at the cost of being within Spain, we haven’t any opportunity.

With just 75 words. How would you appeal to someone who knows nothing about the situation in Catalonia?

Catalonia was once an independent country and for historic, cultural, linguistic and economic reasons should recover its independence to take care of its own affairs. The shared life with Spain has been proven like a life of abuse, with contempt, linguistic persecution and economic plundering. Catalonia is considered a property; Catalonia is Spain, but Catalan people are not considered Spanish. A relationship like this is insane. Like with all violence, distancing is the only solution.

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

asks

How would you solve (taking into account the history of unfulfilled promises of the Spanish Government) the problem of the lower status of Catalan compared to Spanish to boost its use and avoid its weakening?

The problem is that there’s been a clear disloyalty from nationalist governments and from some separatist politicians.

We have the highest rate of self-government, we have a large amount of resources and we currently have ensured the liquidity of the Catalan government thanks to all the programs made by the Spanish one.

We’ve been the community that has obtained more benefits from the whole country. We’ve received funds to pay providers, advance payments, liquidity funds, etc.

Just recently we were told that new avenues of help would be opened for Catalonia.

How would you solve the chronic underfunding of Catalonia (validated by a full range of economists)?

Some economists state the complete opposite, and honestly, Spain has had worse recessions than the our current one. As always, when Spain isn’t doing well Catalonia doesn’t, and when Spain does well, Catalonia does. We have a friendly open market with all Spain, they buy from us, love us, visit us, and share their investments, funds, and future with Catalan organisations and businesses.

The funding system we currently have is the one that the governments agreed on, even the Catalania’s. The whole world needs resources during recessions. The solution isn’t creating barriers and spending huge resources in creating new structures or breaking bonds with the rest of Spain.

To give you an example, the responsibility of what’s happening during the last years is also CiU, ERC and ICV’s fault. They’re the ones ruling in the Town Hall, Council offices, Generalitat. They’ve been the ones that have allowed most of the things that have harmed all the Spanish citizens, especially the Catalan ones, since we’ve suffered these inconveniences twice.

Why is Spain opposed to the democratic possibility to decide by voting if we want to be Spanish or only Catalan?

Do you support the “imperial” view of Spain?

Spain is a democratic and consolidated juridical state. Certainly there are problems, but countries like the UK, USA, Italy and France have them too. A referendum of this nature isn’t possible in Spain nor the UK or even Canada. Even less with the terms Catalan nationalism have imposed. They’ve quickly started this unacceptable challenge and the worst part is they do it now, with citizens suffering the recession. It’s shameful they’ve invented myths, accounts, balances and stories to make it attractive, when it is dangerous and harmful for everyone.

We want a project for Spain and also Catalonia. We want democracy and honest dialogue, for timely changes that aren’t imposed. The Constitution can be changed; the channels are clear. What we mustn’t forget is there are ways, like in Canada or USA, where impositions like the Catalan separatists’ - who don’t have respect for legality and coexistence - wouldn’t be allowed.

If we have to speak of imperialists, sectarians, manipulatives, aggressives or antidemocratics, lets look at the Catalan separatists: Aggressions, insults, blackmail, and symposiums of lies and hate.

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asks

Why do you need to aggravate the situation with lies and campaigns trying to convince many Catalans that don’t agree with your ideas?

We only explain the reality - without lies, all documented- of the relationship between Catalonia and Spain.

And this relationship is based on the domination from Spain towards Catalonia, like a colony.

Economic plundering and cultural harassment to impose the Spanish and delete the Catalan have been the common policies throughout 3 centuries.

People need to know the truth to judge properly. In 1714, we couldn’t vote.

Today, we want to give everybody the opportunity to decide their future in a democratic way

Do you believe it’s normal the Catalan channel TV3 dedicated during 1 year more than 1300 hours to “La Diada” [catalan celebration frequently used to manifest]

and less than 2 on events by associations that defend Catalonia as part of Spain?

I don’t have statistics of time devoted on TV3 to the Diada and to unionist events, but I assure you 1,300 against 2 hours is simply false, an invention.

Firstly, the Via Catalana [see next page] was planned in February, so “during 1 year” is impossible. Secondly, coverage didn’t start until the end of August.

But in recent days, shouldn’t TV3 cover a mass event with 1.8 million people?

What I can tell you is every time the ANC [independentists] (70.000 associates) were on TV3 in leading weeks to Diada, so too Societat Civil [unionists] (1.000 associates?) had time. Even though the organization size difference is huge.

On TV3 political shows (and on Catalunya Ràdio), a unionist is always present. It’s not this way regarding independentists in Spanish –public or private- media (TVE, RNE, A3, T5, Cuatro, La Sexta, COPE, SER, Onda Cero). None at all.

How about TVE covering the unionist rally live in Tarragona (3500 people) but not the Via Catalana (1.8 million)?

What about Spanish media that didn’t supply aerial images of the Via Catalana? Fix your garden first, then criticise.

The way the consultation is set out is illegal, anywhere in the world. Do you want another mock consultation like the last one where anyone voted, multiple times?

Or like Veneto League saying 1.800.000 Italians voted but votes came from Chile and Argentina. Or dictatorships like Pinochet and Franco’s? Were they legitimate?

Of course we want to organize a correct referendum. But the problems to organize a correct referendum come from the Spanish Government and the restrictive vision of the Spanish Constitution, which could allow a vote like the one we propose.

So it’s cynical to charge us with the argument of a ‘fudge referendum’ when the obstacles are coming from the Spanish side.

The Nov 9th referendum wouldn’t mean immediate independence for Catalonia, we know this. Yet the Spanish Government wants to avoid knowing how many citizens in Catalonia want independence because this way it avoids facing a big problem, a danger to “Spanish unity”.

In any case we’ll avoid a referendum like the one for the Spanish Constitution in 1978 where military surveillance assured that the Constitution approved was useful to keep the privileges of the Franco regime, to suit those that survived the dictator politically and also as a prison for Catalonia and other regions with weak Spanish national sentiment.

Today we can see the utility of that “constitutional” invention. No one in PP/PSOE [parties in government] would dare submit the Constitution to a vote for re-approval.

They know it would fail. Spain fears democracy if it’s not clear the result is what the governing elite wants. We want to get rid of this elite that treats the country as their private farm, and Catalans like a tired farmer...

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

Photo by moviment cívic d’espanya i catalans

Whether you’re with the unionists in this image.

[Spanish Day Rally]

The important t you have h sides of t

Whichever side y Please remember, we are all in one form, In Catalonia, progress opposite concepts We wonder what the word

t o c a p

It’s an important issue... a

The Barcelon

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Or you’re with the independentists in this image. [Via Catalana]

thing is that heard both the story you decide on... trying to achieve progression or another. can mean two completely amongst its people. progress means for you? and we hope that you care,

na Grapevine

Photo by Assemblea.cat

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014

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Bringing Business together in Spain

Marina Alta Business Club Barcelona Grapevine (Internet) Issue 1 Editors: Barcelona Matthew Debnam, matthew@grapevine.international General Gaile Griffin Peers, editor@grapevine.international www.barcelonagrapevine.com is a division of www.grapevine.international The Barcelona Grapevine is Published in Spain by Marina Alta Business Club SL - CIF B54067996 est. 2006 In accordance with Ley 22/1987 de Noviembre, de Propiedad Intellectual (BOE no. 275) - ALL the adverts, images and articles used are copyright-protected and belong to/are the responsibility of their originators. Sources are normally clearly stated within the accompanying text Invoices/ post only - absolutely no visitors without appointment: Marina Alta Business Club, Calle Badalona, JĂĄvea, 03737 EspaĂąa.

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Grapevine.International shall not, in any event, be liable for any consequential damages, including lost income or profits. Each Grapevine disclaims all responsibility for errors in key numbers or the type set. Omission of insertion: Unintentional or inadvertent failure by Grapevine editors to print, publish or circulate advertising matter invalidates the insertion order for such matter, but shall not constitute a breach of contract or affect any earned discount. Advertising matter may be cancelled by any Grapevine Magazine at any time.

| The Barcelona Grapevine Issue 1 2014