City Matters
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Trobada de Puntaires in 2008, photo by Ajuntament de Vilanova i la Geltrú (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr.
Punta al Coixí: Turning Thread into Gold
More than a craft, lace-making is a way to connect with the past and maintain some perspective in these hectic, changing times
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Dance of the new "gegants" of Sant Roc. Photo by Edu Bayer courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Do You Know Catalunya's Gegants?
These giants have played a key role in Catalan street parties for centuries, here's why.
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Plaça del Consell de la Vila in the Sarrià neighbothood, photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi District: Barcelona’s “Zona Alta”
Many Barcelona natives and long-time residents are unfamiliar with this part of the city, which tends to be quiet and contains few tourist attractions, yet it's one of the districts with the most green spaces in the city.
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The "Man of Noses" arriving at Barcelona's Plaça de Sant Jaume for his reception with city authorities on New Year's Eve. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Figures from Catalan Myths and Folklore
The ranks of Catalan mythological creatures are filled with characters both borrowed from international or religious lore, as well as others that are unique to the region.
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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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Eldelmar - Hermanos Torres is one of the seven restaurants in the Balcó Gastronòmic. Image courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona.
El Balcó Gastronòmic: Barcelona’s New Seaside Dining Destination
Once a tourist hotspot filled with nightclubs, Barcelona’s Port Olímpic now offers an extensive public space with squares, viewing points, a promenade, green spaces and three new entrances open to the Vila Olímpica neighborhood and its beaches.
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Image courtesy of Chris Reilly.
Metropolitan Culture Corner: Chris Reilly
This month we go behind the scenes with Chris Reilly, former chair of the Barcelona chapter of Democrats Abroad.
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Pau Casals cir. 1915-1920. Photo from the George Grantham Bain Collection, US Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.
Pau Casals: Musician, Activist, Humanist
Who was Pau Casals? There are auditoriums, festivals, grants, music schools—even a highway—named after him, yet depending on who you ask, they’ll talk to you more about his music or about his politics.
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Badalona's dimoni, 2014. Photo by Carquinyol (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Badalona’s Fiery Festival: La Cremada del Dimoni
For the whole month of May, Barcelona's neighbor to the north with be filled with the Festes de Maig celebrations, the highlight of which is the traditional burning of the demon on May 10th.
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The sculptire "Carmela" by Jaume Plensa (2015) sits next to the Palau de la Música Catalana. Photo by Antonio Lajusticia Bueno courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera
Many of the walls of this part of the city date back over 1,000 years. The past few decades have seen it transform into a warren of trendy coffee and craft beer bars, tapas restaurants, alternative fashion shops, artists’ studios and upscale hotels.
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