City Matters
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La Castanyada, an All Saints' Day Tradition
In Catalunya, a number of special sweets are typical of the castanyada: chestnuts and "panellets" are the most iconic, followed by roasted sweet potatoes, candied fruit, quince or quince jelly and "ossos de sant" all washed down with moscatell wine. Read more
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A "correfoc" (fire run) on the streets of Barcelona. Photo by Xavi Torrent courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Catalunya’s Correfocs, Dracs, Diables and Fire Beasts
The tradition of wedding fire to public celebration isn’t unique to Barcelona or Cataluyna, of course; however, the specific way in which Catalans celebrate with fire tends to be both unique and entertaining. Read more
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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. Read more
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Parc de l'Espanya in the Sants neighborhood, photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Get To Know Barcelona’s Sants-Montjuïc District
Sants-Montjuïc is the largest district in Barcelona, covering an area that is equivalent to almost one-fifth of the city’s municipal territory. It’s home to a vibrant and diverse community of inhabitants, as well as many cultural offerings. Read more
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Badalona's dimoni, 2006. 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 devil on May 10th. Read more
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4-Day Work Week Trials Have Been Labeled a “Resounding Success”
Hopes of the 4-day week becoming reality have been buoyed by glowing reports of the success of four-day week trials, in which employers have reported cutting hours but maintaining productivity. But it’s still not clear whether the model would work. Read more
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Dancing the sardana at a traditional dance festival at Castell de Montjuïc, photo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Catalan Folk Dances: History and Identity
While the sardana is without question the most well-known and arguably most important Catalan traditional dance, there are many other folkloric dances that have either retained or recovered their historical significance. Read more
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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. Read more
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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 Read more
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Ball dels gegants. 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. Read more
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