FEATURES
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Volunteers begin to clean up the cami de Sedaví, November 2, 2024, photo by Pacopac (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Valencia Floods, One Year On: What Have We Learned, and How Can We Prevent Similar Tragedies in the Future?
On October 29, 2024, destructive storms hit several areas of the Iberian peninsula, causing the most extreme rainfall recorded in Spain during the 21st century.
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Learn to Make Paella Like a Pro: Cooking Workshops in Barcelona
Not sure what to do with the exotic vegetables on show at the market? Want to know the secret of a good escalivada? Tie your apron on and take a journey through the world of Mediterranean gastronomy with a hands-on cooking workshop.
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A replica of Ictíneo I sits in the courtyard of the Museu Marítim de Barcelona. Photo by Carol (CC-BY-NC-SA-2.0) via Flickr.
Exploring the Depths: The First Fully-Functional Submarine
The world’s first fully-operational submarine was invented by Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol, a Catalan self-taught engineer and radical thinker, who dreamt that his machine could help save humanity.
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The tram traveling around the curve of Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer Square. Photo by Sortkat courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Barcelona’s Diagonal Tramway Extension Heads to Crucial October Vote
Plans to stretch Barcelona’s tramway linking Verdaguer and Francesc Macià along Diagonal face an Urban Planning Commission decision on October 21st, edging the city nearer to uniting two pivotal tram lines.
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The city's "gegants" and "nans" in Plaça Sant Jaume ready to celebrate La Mercè. Photo by Cesc Maymó courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
La Mercè, Barcelona’s Second Patron Saint
Just like every neighborhood has its "festa major," nearly every town in Catalunya has a city-wide festival in honor of its patron saint. Barcelona has two patron saints: Santa Eulàlia and the Mare de Déu de la Mercè—known simply as La Mercè.
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La Diada, September 11, 2014. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
La Diada: Catalunya’s National Day
A guide to Catalunya’s national day on September 11th.
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Film still from "Boy in the Pool," directed by Ryu Yeon-su (South Korea, 2024).
September Film Festivals in Catalunya
As summer draws to a close, September eases us into autumn with some of region's most interesting and eclectic film festivals.
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Parlament de Catalunya during "la Diada." Photo by Antonio Lajusticia Bueno courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Open Doors for Catalunya's La Diada Nacional 2025
One of the main attractions of "la Diada" is the "portes obertes" in celebration of Catalan National Day on September 11. On this day a number of museums and historical buildings throughout the region throw open their doors for free to the public.
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Dance of the new "gegants" of Sant Roc, photo by Marc Gómez courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Celebrating the Festes de Sant Roc
The annual festival celebrating Sant Roc is the oldest major festival in the city, and dates back to 1589.
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Floral tapestry for Corpus Christi celebrations in Orotava, Tenerife. Photo by Jose Mesa (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr.
The Tradition of Corpus Christi Floral Tapestries
If you’ve never seen a floral tapestry in person, it’s well worth investigating where you can spot one this year; they’re an impressive sight, and reflect the traditions and creativity of of generations of upon generations of local artisans.
