The best in photojournalism is at the CCCB

The best in photojournalism is at the CCCB

The World Press Photo 2012 is in Barcelona and it has a Catalan accent. The winner of the prestigious photojournalism prize is the Catalan photographer Samuel Aranda, with his snapshot of protests in the Yemen. That is one of the 156 photographs on show at the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) until 6 January. The World Press Photo is based on a single premise: the visual power of photojournalism. This premise means the winning photographs can inform us about what is going on in the world. These pictures stand out because they awaken the conscience of exhibition visitors and generate debate. They stand out for their informative or artistic value but, either way, people who see them cannot fail to be moved. At the exhibition they are grouped according to their subject, ranging from the most far-reaching news to everyday life, sport and nature, among other things. A Catalan winner Samuel Aranda, a photojournalist from Santa Coloma de Gramenet, is the winner of the 2012 competition. His photograph, showing a mother embracing her son, wounded during the popular revolt in the Yemen, went round the world and has become an Arab Spring icon. But, for this edition of the World Press Photo, the CCCB has gone further. Aranda's photograph is complemented by the exhibition #desprésdelaprimavera. And the photographer himself has been to the scenes of these revolts to show through pictures how people are experiencing the peace. "It is an attempt to show another kind of reality" said Aranda during the presentation of the exhibition, in reference to the media that only show images of violence. New features for this edition A smartphone application has been developed that allows users to contextualise the photos on display with additional information via QR codes. And a room has been set aside for screening interviews with some of the featured photographers, which also has computers for visitors to consult the whole World Press Photos catalogue and the reports in which the winning photographs were published.

The Magic Fountain is even more magical at Christmas

Christmas. Christmas carols are the highlight of the water, light and music show on at the Montjuïc Magic Fountain during the festivities.

The Montjuïc Magic Fountain will be dancing to the rhythm of the best-known Christmas carols from 7 December, when you'll be able to see a truly Christmassy show combining water, light and music.

Modern and classical versions of popular Catalan Christmas carols will be the highlight of the musical repertoire for a show which aims to become a festival classic. It will feature Fum, fum, fum, El desembre congelat and A Betlem me'n vull anar, among others. So, you've got until 5 January to enjoy the colours, shapes and movements of the water in a fountain that becomes even more magical during Christmas.

The Magic Fountain has choreographed music lasting 10 to 14 minutes which combines music excerpts. And you can also enjoy songs from last 3 to 4 minutes offered between choreography

                                           

The Holy Family Christmas Fair

Christmas. The Sagrada Família vicinity is turning into a Christmas postcard, thanks to the Christmas Fair setting up its stalls by Gaudí's iconic masterpiece.

The Sagrada Família Christmas Fair, which originated in the 1960s, has become one of the most traditional Christmas markets in the Eixample, bringing together close to a hundred stalls. In addition, it turns the Sagrada Família vicinity into a Christmas postcard.

Drop by the fair and you'll discover a whole array of Nativity figurines and elements, including Christmas trees and plants and a variety of decorations. You'll also find everything you need to decorate your home with for the festivities.

One of the most traditional Christmas fairs in the Eixample. He was born 60 years and currently meets 99 stalls with all the necessary products to celebrate Christmas at home.

                                                            

MEDIEVAL DINNER IN THE HISTORY AND LEGENDARY NIGHTS

Requesens palace offers a menu inspired on the typical Catalan food of the XIV and XV centuries on Fridays and Saturdays

Sternalia company proposes to relive the nights in the medieval Barcelona. This company is also responsible for the “Dinners with stars” at the Fabra observatory. This time, though, they swapped the stars for medieval history and the observatory for a palace. It belonged to The Requesens and was built in the 13th century. It was sheltered by the roman wall and so they decided to use one of its towers.  

 

It’s a very complete activity: there’s a guided tour of the Gòtic neighbourhood, a dinner with a medieval-like diet and a speech about the lifestyle the citizens had in that era. The meeting point is the Requesens palace which currently is the headquarters of the institution that takes care of the Catalan history and culture.

  

This trip to the past starts at the palace just before the sunset. It is located next to Sant Just square and even though it starts at 8pm you must be there a quarter before to check. Right after that begins a tour about 50 minutes long for the streets and backstreets that surround the palace to find out the essence of the medieval Barcelona. During August the tour focuses on some mysteries hidden in these buildings: Alchemy, witches and lost souls or Christian and profane legends. From September onwards up until December, the visitors will be able to feel like the medieval people that lived in those buildings and will learn what they used to do to survive the difficult medieval nights.

 

After the stroll, it’s time to have dinner at the Tinellet of the Palace. Even though it may be hard to believe, the Catalan medieval food was quite refined. Some people, such as the Franciscan Francesc Eiximenis, considered it the number one in the Christian world. The medieval food taste has a starter, a second plate and desert. You better experience it than hear about it. 

 

The day will end up with a speech named “The medieval city: walls, towers, burgs and streets” (until de first of September) or “”Marginalized people in the Middle Ages” (from the 7th to the 15th of September).

You can book calling at 93 327 01 25 (from Monday to Friday: from 9h to 21h), at 628 468 539 (Saturdays and Sundays from 10h to 14h) or sending an email to  info@raconsinsolits.com.

SALON NAUTICO PORT VELL

A new edition of the Barcelona International Boat Show is back this September, the benchmark event for professionals in the nautical sector in Spain and for sailing enthusiasts. It will be featuring all the latest innovations and sporting and recreational ideas for enjoying this massive nautical festival.

To the end of the month from 26th to 30th Septembre, will take place the Barcelona International Boat Show, the most important event on boats run by professionals and fans of the sport, which is celebrated each year in the city. 
The living room of Port Vell (Metro Barceloneta, line 4) is a very attractive event open to families and professinals, sporting activities, and introductory workshop to navigation for children. The cost of entry is 12€ ( 6€ registration on the webpage on the event). 

FIESTAS DE LA MERCE 2012

The popular  La Mercé Festival in Barcelona will start on September 21st 2012. This festival marks the closure of summer and it’s an special time for visiting the city, as it has amazing activities you can enjoy, in a time when the weather continues to be perfect in the city.

This yearLa mercé festival in Barcelonais going to start on a friday, and the party will last for 3 whole days,  ash the festival finishes on Monday 24th. 

La Mercè is the festival of festivals, where, in just a few days there are hundreds of activities like these:

• Barcelona Acció Musical (Barcelona Musical Action): to hear new sounds
• Barcelona Street Arts: artists performing amongst the public
• Festival of tradition: human castles, bigheads, giants and all the festive beasts of the city, accompanied by guests of the Mediterranean
• Festival of the sky: acrobatic meeting of jets, balloons, ultra lights, etc.
• The Fire Festival: all kinds of sparks from the musical fireworks to the Fire Run...

With a long etcetera of more than 500 activities to everyone’s taste.
La Mercè is the festival of a thousand faces.

BARCELONA OPEN SABADELL CONDE DE GODO 2012

The historic Barcelona tournement celebrates the 60th edition in 2012. Staged at Real Club de Tennis Barcelona ( Calle Bosch i Gimpera, 5-13) - 1899, the oldest Spanish tennis Club, the Barcelona open sabadell, trofeo Conde de Godo, will celebrate its 60 anniversary in 2012. f you want to enjoy tennis in Barcelona, you need to come to the catalan capital between the 21 and the 29 of April 2012. Some of the best tennis players will be present at the tournament. Spaniards have won the last nine editions, with Rafael Nadal lifting the trophy six times in the past seven years. The tennis tournament of the ATP in Barcelona will count with the participation of great tennis players such as Rafael Nadal, Any Murray, David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, Janko Tipsarevic,etc. More information in http://www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com/