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THINKING Issue 4 | 2015 Winter BIG MAKES US GROW” BARCELOVERS

It doesn’t matter if it’s a start-up or a multinational, it doesn’t matter if they are small investments or large international ventures. In Barcelona, what matters are big ideas, people, opportunities... Everything has a place in one of the main European cities for international investment projects. That is why Barcelona makes you grow, makes you dream while keeping your feet on the ground, even further than the horizon. BARCELONA, THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF INNOVATION. A prize awarded by the European Commission in 2014.

Mobile Laboratory 080 Barcelona Fashion Urban Wildlife Line UP BARCELOVERS The personal and collective From traditional ateliers Open-air artworks All the main events

The magazine inspired by a captivating by city The magazine inspired The magazine inspired by a captivating city impact of mobile devices to the catwalk inspired by animals and activities Barcelona inspires

BARCELONA IS YOURS

Barcelovers

PUBLISHED BY Barcelona City Council ILLUSTRATIONS Diego Marmolejo, Barcelona is an open and cosmopolitan Lamosca, Miquel Tura Rigamonti Mediterranean city; a city of culture, PUBLISHING BOARD Jaume Ciurana, knowledge, creativity, innovation and Jordi Martí i Galbis, Marc Puig, Miquel MAIN FONTS Bulo and Trola by Jordi Guiot, Jordi Joly, Vicent Guallart, Àngel Embodas well-being that is inspirational for many Miret, Marta Clari, Albert Ortas, Josep people the world over and which, on an Lluís Alay, José Pérez Freijo, Pilar Roca TRANSLATION AND PROOFREADING international level, has become one of the Néstor Bogajo, Stuart McLauchlan, biggest destinations for tourists. EDITORIAL BOARD Marc Puig, Rosa Marta Roigé, Kelly Shimmin Romà, Elisabet Garcia, Joan León, Enric FOOTBALL HOSPITALITY CAMP NOU Rimbau, Marta Passola ADVERTISING Primer Segona In this magazine you will be able to see that Barcelona has become a benchmark MATCHES PACKS EXPERIENCE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Joan León PRE-PRESS Xavier Parejo for subjects as varied as art, cuisine, COPYWRITING Xavier Arnaiz, Borja PRINTER Direcció d’Imatge i Serveis architecture, healthcare and research. LIVE FOOTBALL AT ITS BEST BARÇA, WITH ALL TOUR & MUSEUM WITH Barbesà, Iñaki Barco, Txell Bonet, Editorials Barcelona never stops innovating and Tomàs Fuentes, Helena Martínez seeking out excellence. THE FINEST LUXURIES Guimet, Albert Murillo, Irene Pujadas, PAPER 100% recycled WITH 5% DISCOUNT* 5% DISCOUNT** Jonàs Sensós, Josep Sucarrats, Oliver Villanueva IN COLLABORATION WITH Convinced that during your stay you will THE ADVERTISING BUSINESS find what you were looking for as well as PUBLISHER Edicions Clariana SL ASSOCIATION, THE CATALAN being surprised by the things you didn’t ASSOCIATION OF ADVERTISING AND know, we bid you welcome and trust that DESIGN AND LAYOUT Lamosca PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENTS AND THE BARCELONA HOTEL ASSOCIATION you will experience some inspirational and FRONT COVER Roger Llonch unforgettable moments in our city.

PHOTOGRAPHY Txema Salvans LEGAL DEPOSIT B. 19.129 - 2013 (director), Pere Albiac, Carles Allende, ISSN 2339-8396 Xavier Trias Carmen Secanella, Joan Guillamat, Mayor of Barcelona Enrique Marco, Oriol Rigat www.meet.barcelona.cat/barceloversmag

* Buy your ticket now and get a 5% discount using the promotional code BARCELOVERS5. Not accumulative with other offers and subject to ticket availability at the time of purchase (includes all matches except categories A+ and A++ and all zones except general, lateral 4 and lower tier goal). Promotion valid at www.fcbarcelona.com until 30/05/2015. ** Buy your ticket for Camp Nou Experience now and get a 5% discount using the promotional code BARCELOVERS5. Not accumulative with other | 1 offers. Promotion valid until 30/05/2015 at www.fcbarcelona.com and Camp Nou ticket office on presentation of the promotional code. Barcelovers | Issue 4 Barcelona inspires BARCELOVERS

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WHAT’S UP MOBILE LABORATORY THE PERSONAL CIRCLE THE SOCIAL CIRCLE THE COMMUNITY CIRCLE 4 YEARS FROM NOW The inauguration of the Design Museum Coinciding with the Mobile World Congress, Interests, leisure, health… smartphones Mobile apps offer a host of options when it The use of NFC technology and apps for Forecasting the future. That’s the aim of frontlines a series of fresh news items we take a look at how mobile telephones have changed the way we relate to ourselves comes to establishing our close relations- managing administrative formalities and this international mobile entrepreneurs’ on the city have transformed our lives hips making people’s lives easier meeting, held as part of the MWC 20 22 26 30 34 36

TELEFÓNICA R&D PROFILES DEFYING THE DEEP FROM THE ATELIER TO THE CATWALK THE ESSENTIAL NETWORK WOOD, SLATS, COLOUR… BARCELONA The company’s research centre in Barcelona Four barcelovers whose talent and hard Ictineu III is a private scientific submarine A new generation of independent designers Vincles BCN uses new technology to Taking a traditional object, improving it and is developing big data, Internet of Things work have made them stand out in their that will help increase our knowledge is flourishing under the umbrella of 080 alleviate the isolation of the elderly with adding new functionalities is what Persiana and open innovation projects respective disciplines of the seabed Barcelona Fashion funding from the Bloomberg Foundation Barcelona has managed to achieve 40 42 46 48 53 61 75 Report Line Up Wake Up Urban wildlife: open-air artworks A selection of Useful inspired by animals main events, information, meetings and advice and shows taking interesting facts place in the city

THE HOME OF BUSINESS THE LURE OF THE PISTES THE BRIGHTEST NIGHT THE LAST CULINARY SECRET The new Enterprise Service Office offers There are numerous different skiing The Llum BCN festival combines design, In a city that loves avant-garde food, we information, advice and services to options just a short drive from Barcelona technology and poetic creativity recommend some restaurants where you companies can experience Catalan haute cuisine

2 | | 3 What’s Up

The Design Museum opens to the public

The new Design Museum was inaugurated last December in the new Design Hub building in the Plaça de les Glories. The new centre gathers together in an exhibition space of 7,000 square metres all the collections from the following old museums: Museum of Decorative Art, Ceramic Museum, Textile and Clothing Museum and the Graphic Arts Museum.

Photo Txema Salvans

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What’s Up

INNOVATION

ADOBE TO ESTABLISH THE WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL MARKETING LABORATORY FOR CITIES The City Council of Barcelona and the multinational Adobe Systems have signed an initial agreement to push forward with the so-called City Branding Lab that will facilitate innovative and experimental solutions to improve the city’s competitiveness. The City Branding Lab will be located at the Barcelona Growth Centre and will become operative during the course of 2015.

BUSINESS SPORT INFRASTRUCTURES Three Barcelona firms FC Barcelona and the The metro line L-9 will among the most innovative French International connect the airport to the in the world in the field Rugby League (LNR) have centre of Barcelona from of smart cities reached an agreement for the beginning of next year

Urbiotica, Bismart and Sensing & Control the 2016 Championship Since last November trains have already been have been selected among the fifteen most Final to be played at running on Line 9 which will connect the Zona innovative companies in the world in the field Camp Nou, a historical Universitària station with Barcelona-El Prat of smart cities by the Economic Development Airport. For now this represents a trial period Agency of New York. The three companies took achievement in that it that will continue through to February 2016. This part last October in the ‘World to NYC: Global represents the first time section, 20 kilometres long and with 15 stations, Industry Challenge’ to present their projects Barça’s stadium will host is predicted to carry 23 million passengers a year. and make contact with private investors, local The length of the sector is comparable to metro customers and prospects with the goal of a sport other than football line L1, currently the longest in the network. exploiting new business opportunities in the in an official competition. United States.

BUSINESS Fira de Barcelona to host the world’s leading aeronautical congress in 2017 From 23 to 26 September 2017, Fira de Barcelona will host the World Routes Congress, the world’s most important aeronautical event, attended by the top executives who decide on the routes airlines will fly. According to the organizers, events company UBM, the host cities of the congress see an increase in the volume of their international connections.

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Mobile Laboratory The personal circle

Text Albert Murillo and Oliver Villanueva Photos Txema Salvans

Barcelona is the world’s mobile capital and this status is endorsed by the The social circle organization of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in early March. The MWC, which has been held in Barcelona since 2011, is the meeting point for all the leaders of the mobile revolution, from major multinationals through to entrepreneurs and innovators. The community circle In the last four years, mobile devices have changed dramatically and the world has changed as a result. Telephones have nothing in common now with the appliance invented by Alexander Graham Bell, which was capable of encoding the human voice in an electric pulse, transmitting it over a distance and then decoding it. In recent times, mobile phones have become genuine miniature computers that are with us every second of the day and have transformed every area of our lives. 4 years from now

Let’s take a look at some of the different ways in which telephones have changed our lives with some of the people in Barcelona who have been responsible for making it possible When a start-up teaches a giant

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Helps to adjust the dose of insulin based king.com locosonic socialdiabetes on a carbohydrate count and the blood’s THE CITY SOUND EXPERIENCE sugar level Quite often, when strolling along the streets, we’ve got our earphones in. What would happen if the music we’re listening Helping people with diabetes types to, instead of coming from a predetermined playlist on our device (or our preferred streaming service) had been designed especially for the street on which we we’re walking, and changed when you crossed to another street? The result 1& 2 would be a kind of urban symphony, a soundtrack that would enhance the walker’s experience. This is the idea of Locosonic. The personal circle Albert Puig, one of the people responsible for the project, Can monitor exercise and sees Locosonic as “a receptacle of sound experiences.” All you behavioural patterns We use alarms to remind us. We take photos in a have to do is enable the app, put your mobile in your pocket nanosecond. When we exercise, we measure our vital signs. and enjoy a stroll to the sounds of the creations of different 160 Wherever we may be, it’s the only thing (apart from keys musicians and sound artists. Having been presented at the last Sonar Advanced Music and New Media Art Festival, 120 and wallet) that we never, ever forget to take with us. There Locosonic will be available for iOS devices and the idea is to launch a version for Android soon. is no doubt that smartphones have changed the way we 80 relate to each other and even ourselves

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king.com locosonic socialdiabetes king.com locosonic socialdiabetes

THE KINGS OF MOBILE ENTERTAINMENT SOCIAL DIABETES: HELP WITH THE DAILY ROUTINE Casual video gaming is synonymous with King.com. Today, Like many other people, one day Víctor Bautista learned he it’s practically impossible to go on the metro or bus and had diabetes. This chronic disease, which affects 400 million not see someone playing one of the mega-colourful Candy people around the world, forces sufferers to constantly Crush or Papa Pear Saga games. With their simple and highly monitor their blood glucose levels and adjust their food addictive gaming mechanism, King’s videogames have intake appropriately. An expert computer programmer, become the perfect companion for dead periods. Víctor realised that this would be the perfect job for his The company, of Irish origin, has had an office in smartphone, and that was the start of SocialDiabetes. Barcelona since 2012 and its success is based on various Today, SocialDiabetes has won awards from UNESCO and factors: gameplay mechanics based on little puzzles which the Mobile World Congress. Every day, this app helps people exploit touch screens to the full, a rigorous testing process with diabetes type 1 or 2. SocialDiabetes helps to adjust and constant improvements based on analysing the data the insulin dose based on a count of carbohydrates eaten received from the players themselves. and the blood sugar level. It can also monitor exercise and The King.com business model is a fantastic example of behavioural patterns to assess potential present or future what is known as freemium. The game can be downloaded risks. The information it gathers can be very useful when free of charge and the levels must be played in strict order to visiting the doctor and, indeed, the premium version allows progress, although within the app there is a shop where you users to contact a specialist direct. can buy bonuses to make the game easier.

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The app lets you create photo-recipes and gives a step-by-step explanation

cookbooth wallapop notegraphy

You can also ‘follow’ one of the celebrity PERSON-TO-PERSON TRANSACTIONS chefs who use the app Internet and second-hand trade are virtually synonymous since eBay emerged on the scene (in 1995, just 20 years ago), which managed to popularize this market by putting sellers and buyers all over the world in contact with each other. Far from being a mere clone of this behemoth, the young Barcelona start-up Wallapop takes advantage of mobile localization to promote person-to-person transactions. Wallapop defines itself as a virtual flea market. When you’re looking for a product, the app compares locations and shows you the results in order of proximity. From this point on, the two users make contact and negotiate the different aspects of the handover. According to the app’s creators, this is the best way of generating confidence in the app. Wallapop was created in 2013 and now it’s available in Spain, the UK, France and Portugal. It manages transactions to the tune of 10 million euros per month and the value of its inventory of listed objects exceeds 250 million euros. At the moment, use of the app is free for both buyers and sellers. cookbooth wallapop notegraphy

PERSONALIZED FONTS IN A GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Every time we write a text, we leave a part of our personality on the page. If we’ve got something special to announce, why The social circle cookbooth wallapop notegraphy do it in a standard font? Notegraphy is an app that aims to rethink the way we write on the internet through design. We’re constantly connected. We use phones to send For Rafa Soto, the creative director at the agency Herrainz messages more than making calls. We use social networks THE CULINARY EXCHANGE & Co and the brains behind the project, the idea was to Sharing photos of your food is already a classic on social Available in: “create an environment with a certain intimacy between the to resume contact with old friends and establish new networks. The hashtag #cook on Instagram, for example, text and the person.” Notegraphy lets you write texts with relationships according to our interests. Day by day, our features numerous images of mouth-watering dishes that UK a specific font treatment and colour combination and thus social milieu is transformed by the apps we use have just been cooked, made with different ingredients avoid the flat feeling of the standard fonts used on social and in different parts of the world, but all with a common France networks. The app has proved popular in the community denominator: they’re all on the point of being served. of typography amateurs and professionals and well-known The next step for foodies was to create a social network Spain figures such as designer Jessica Hische have been generous for sharing recipes. This is what CookBooth is all about: a enough to lend their creations for everyone to use. meeting point for people of different origins who share a Portugal common passion: cooking. The app lets you create photo- recipes and provide a step-by-step explanation with the aim that anyone can attempt to make them. You can also follow one of the well-known chefs who use the app such as Damian Allsop from Walter Ganache, who explains “El Bulli and Ferran Adrià played a huge role in opening up the kitchen. Before, we used to learn culinary techniques as if they were Transactions: Inventory of objects: a big secret. Now, what we do is share; the idea is that if I give €10 million + €250 million something, I’m bound to get something in return.”

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BCN Contactless facilitates the everyday relations of the city’s residents and visitors

BARCELONA IN YOUR POCKET Barcelona in your pocket is Barcelona City Council’s project for mobile telephone initiatives and solutions. It represents its commitment to using mobile devices to improve the city’s services and promote the industrial and production sectors. The project is based on three cornerstones: Apps4Bcn, Barcelona Contactless and MobileID.

The community circle apps4bcn barcelona contactless mobileID apps4bcn barcelona contactless mobileID Urban life is also being transformed on a daily basis. From the NFC technology used at bus stops to apps for managing The most frequently used mobile apps are those that provide Personal authentication mechanisms are one of the big solutions for little, everyday problems. The Apps4Bcn portal stumbling blocks when it comes to digitalizing administra- municipal formalities, smartphones are becoming features an array of apps that focus on improving the city’s tive systems. For much of the population, digital ID systems indispensable tools for making the very most of all the city’s services and facilities; in other words, the best apps for are not particularly intuitive and cause more headaches than possibilities experiencing and enjoying Barcelona. solutions. This is why the City Council has set up mobileID. Apps4Bcn works as part of a community. This community, With this pioneering system, identity is a mobile phone made up of experts and people interested in different topics app. Once you have registered (a process that needs to be (such as sports or culture), industrial workers and fans of done in person, or by means of a digital certificate), you can mobile devices are responsible for selecting, choosing and use the app to get access to data on the municipal electoral classifying the selection featured on the portal by means roll, get information on car towing services or pay municipal of a system of votes and comments. taxes or fines with the device. But Apps4Bcn is more than just a portal of recommendations. The goal is to promote the industrial structure and create partnerships to develop products. apps4bcn barcelona contactless mobileID Thus the Apps4Bcn Lab is working to develop events 8.9 7.6 6.8 6.1 and competitions for app prototypes. Meanwhile, the Apps4BcnLive! App aims to coalesce this online community Contactless technology will undoubtedly be one of the to generate synergies by organizing conferences, presenting big frontiers for mobile telephony in the coming years. success stories and hosting professional meetups. Already, using QR codes or NFC labels, we can initiate simple actions by putting a terminal close to another device. The It works based on a community BCN Contactless initiative helps to facilitate the everyday which is responsible for selecting relations of the city’s residents and visitors alike. apps through a system of votes By means of a network of access points distributed and comments across the whole city, users can access a mobile network that provides information that is specific to that particular time and place: what there is do here, where the nearest Apps4BcnLab aims to emergency pharmacy is… a window from virtual Barcelona generate synergies by to physical Barcelona, a gateway to the most up-to-date and organizing conferences, specific information. presenting success stories and hosting meetups

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TMB offers its users a whole raft of apps to improve their travelling apparkb barcelona wi-fi urban transport experience

Parking in Barcelona is now slightly easier with Apparkb, an app that lets you manage payment in above-ground parking apparkb barcelona wi-fi urban transport zones (blue and green zones) from your mobile. Apparkb is an app designed to streamline formalities conveniently without having to pay for your parking time in advance. The steady drip of technological initiatives for use on public 2,1 km Once it’s activated, the app positions the vehicle using transport is never-ending. Most of them are invisible to the mobile’s GPS system. From this point, the meter starts the general public, but they are very necessary for the running. If you’re getting near the time limit (up to two management of the network of metros, trams and buses hours, the same as with a parking meter), a warning is moving around Barcelona. Others are aimed directly at sent to your phone. Once the parking session has finished, public transport users. payment is made. The municipal public transport company (TMB), which is responsible for all the different modes of public transport in 3,4 km the city, offers its users a whole raft of apps to improve their travelling experience: information on routes, service alerts, network maps and route planners are just some of the most apparkb barcelona wi-fi urban transport noteworthy services for regular commuters. When it comes to tourism, Barcelona Bus Turístic Virtual is an enhanced reality app that makes the very most of a visit to the city. Barcelona has a public wi-fi network which is available At some bus stops there are also information panels with across the whole city. It is a service that provides free access real-time forecasts of bus arrivals, and NFC labels and QR to the internet provided you are close to one of the hotspots codes are starting to be distributed to offer complementary which are situated in different municipal facilities and public information. spaces. The 704 hotspots that currently make up Barcelona Wi-Fi is the biggest free public citizens’ network in the country and one of the largest in Europe. Moreover, in 2015 and 2016 plans are afoot to enlarge the The steady drip of technological initiatives network. There are now Wi-Fi hotspots on the fleet of urban buses and also at the main metro stations. In a second phase, for use on public transport is never-ending. Barcelona Wi-Fi will expand to municipal markets and the Most of them are invisible to the general 5,6 km port, as well as becoming consolidated in the city’s public spaces as a major access point to the information society. public, but they are very necessary for the management of the network of metros, trams and buses moving around Barcelona

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4 years from now: discover the future

Four years is the critical timescale. It’s the time it takes for a An international mobile entrepreneurs’ project to consolidate itself. It’s the time you need to meet up again with someone and realise that you’re completely different people. meeting within the Mobile World Congress It’s the time for discovering how much technology has changed. “It’s a good exercise to look back at how things were four years ago 4YFN is structured around three cornerstones that will articulate and see how back then it was unimaginable that WhatsApp would technological innovation in the coming years: ‘Disrupted by Mobile’, become an essential means of communication,” says Aleix Valls. ‘Digital Media’ and the ‘Internet of Things’. For each of these core Aleix Valls is the director of 4 Years From Now (4YFN), an themes there will be a competition for start-ups to present their international mobile entrepreneurs’ meeting which will be held for projects. ‘Disrupted by Mobile’ is centred on new paradigms in the second time between 2 and 5 March 2015 within the framework industries which, like advertising or music, are experiencing of the Mobile World Congress. 4YFN intends to look ahead towards changes that are closely related to new consumer habits. ‘Digital a future which, according to Valls, “will be led by entrepreneurs.” Media’ explores new ways of generating and consuming content. This business and networking platform which last year doubled The third cornerstone, the ‘Internet of Things’, revolves around its space to 8,000 m2 is aimed at start-ups, investors and also end objects: wearables, 3D printing technologies and smart systems buyers. Over this period, “the entire mobile industry is here in are just a few examples of what the internet can represent when Barcelona and that helps start-ups to sell their products.” it makes the leap from the digital world to the real world.

is the time it 4 takes for a project years to become consolidated

Disrupted by mobile The mobile communications revolution is driving the world's major technology breakthroughs. From wearable devices to connected cars and homes, mobile technology is at the heart of worldwide innovation. As an industry, we are connecting billions of men and women to the transformative power of the Internet and mobilising every device that we use in our daily lives. The 2015 GSMA Mobile World Congress will convene industry leaders, visionaries and innovators 4YFN to explore the trends that will shape mobile in the years ahead. We’ll see you in Barcelona at The Edge of Innovation.

Digital Internet Media of things AN EVENT OF WWW.MOBILEWORLDCONGRESS.COM

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When a start-up teaches Society needs new a giant: Telefónica R&D, tools that help us to communicate more a ‘lean’ elephant and better, share experiences, form social networks...

learn data ideas

When Telefónica, at that time the company with the state monopoly In this respect, Telefónica R+D stands out as an exemplary measure build on telephone communications, decided to open a department company. It estimates that it has managed to increase the dedicated to R+D, more than 25 years ago, everything was very number of innovation projects by 45% while reducing the average different. Desktop computers were just making their way into investment per project by 48%. It has done this by applying to a product homes, Microsoft was readying version 3.0 of Windows and for major corporation a concept that many technological entrepreneurs anyone outside the realm of academia and technology the internet understand very well: the lean concept. was just science fiction. Back then, innovation was a material The fundamental idea of lean management is to reduce the science: people experimented in mechanical laboratories where total risk while increasing the granularity of projects undertaken they tested out new models of electronic circuits. and minimizing the cost of failure. In other words, starting small and aiming high: this means that failure will be cheap and, with The company’s R+D centre in Barcelona luck, you will have learnt something that will help you do it better next time round. Companies that operate using lean parameters develops big data, the Internet of Things often start out with an intensive testing process on the aspects and open innovation projects that represent the highest risk. The idea is to achieve a validated knowledge which will allow, from a very early phase of the project, All that has now changed. Today, innovation means software certain ideas to be discarded in order to focus on others. and data. Society needs new tools that facilitate more and better The challenges involved in applying lean methodologies to communication, sharing experiences and setting up social a company of the size of Telefónica and the way the company networks… with technology as the key. The company’s R+D deals with them were explained in a paper published in May centre in Barcelona (with more than 200 people spearheading the 2014 entitled, very significantly, Lean Elephants. Addressing the company’s global innovation) is responsible for developing big data, Innovation Challenge in Big Companies. The results speak for the Internet of Things and open innovation projects. themselves: with 87 patents registered in 2012, Telefónica has But nowadays technology companies operate in a volatile positioned itself as the second source of innovation in Spain, environment. New advances threaten to make things that were only surpassed by CSIC. From its eye-catching headquarters on essential yesterday obsolete, and every innovation adds layers of Avinguda Diagonal, right next to the Forum area, multidisciplinary complexity. Some say that a traditional business would take six teams of engineers, designers and business experts cooperate months to develop an idea which a start-up, with a much more with external partners from various backgrounds – from chef agile structure, could develop in six weeks. If it doesn’t play its Ferran Adrià to young designers who create interactive systems cards right, a major company could very easily become a giant with Arduino. All of them are involved in researching the new with clay feet. possibilities of the internet.

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PROFILES Text Txell Bonet Photos Lo-Peix

XAVIER BALIUS ROSA PARDINA Biomechanic Entrepreneur

“Before the Olympic Games start (Barcelona ’92) you need to The paradigm of a woman who has managed to start all over again give us a hand,” he was told by the managers of the Catalan from scratch, and without letting age get in the way. Having tasted government’s General Sports Secretariat. Back in the early success at the age of just 30 with the development of generic Nineties, Balius was working in the USA, where he studied drugs, she then lost her company. Years later, in 2009, she founded Biomechanics, but decided to return home to take on the position OneDose Pharma, the world’s first pharmaceutical industry of manager of the Science, Medicine and Technology Unit of the laboratory to commercialize medicines in single doses. This CEO is High Performance Sports Centre. clear on the need to focus on innovation, “along with knowledge of Around 500 sportspeople benefit from facilities designed to the market, its shortfalls and the viability of your product. That’s achieve excellence, and yet “the centre is one of the few in the world why I studied pharmaceutical law.” that also has a residence, a high school and a medical service.” She has managed to create a product that is sustainable To guarantee the athletes’ integral training, the centre monitors both in economic and environmental terms, “which envisages and checks their health, and is a “pioneer in implementing an self-medication and represents a saving of 24% by avoiding interdisciplinary model. We assign a coordinator to each trainer unnecessary doses.” A system which, above and beyond business to manage the activities of the other professionals and really interests, is committed to benefitting people and the health ensure a synergy of energies.” They even have agreements system. “The governments of Chile and Colombia are interested with local hotels because this is the centre of choice for many as it reduces many costs which are later passed on to their international federations who come here to train, also attracted citizens.” These single doses cost the same, are easy to open, by their technology, “such as our system of video cameras for colour-coded, written in Braille and packaged in Barcelona by monitoring synchronized swimming.” the Dau Foundation, which specializes in job placement. Pardina also organises dinners at her home for foreign visitors (www. barcelonaeatinghome.com).

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LUIS CODERA PUZO CECILIA THAM Composer and musician Entrepreneur

Luis Codera is regarded as one of the “top up-and-coming young Originally from Macau, the founder of MOB (Makers of Barcelona) composers” by the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Foundation, is an architect and designer who graduated from Harvard, as well as which awarded him a grant of 35,000 euros earlier this year. “I’m an entrepreneur. Her personal urge to share her interests and ideas using it to buy time so I can carry on doing research, developing with other professionals led her to establish this space of 1,000 m² my musical ideas and recording an album.” Having previously for co-working. Her charismatic nature has managed to galvanize received scholarships from the National Council of Culture and Arts a group of talents from different disciplines, “a really enriching of Catalonia, the Ministry of Culture and Education of Catalonia, and inspiring community which gives rise to some unprecedented the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst, the Hoepfner creations.” More than 200 partners, including architects, designers Foundation, the Christoph-und-Stephan-Kaske-Stiftung Foundation and computer technicians, participate in the “philosophy of never and the French Ministry of Culture, Codera Puzo has lived in Berlin, setting any boundaries, taking advantage of information society Karlsruhe and Basel. He has now returned to Barcelona, “where tools and putting them into action in the production of personalized things are changing in the world of contemporary music, with creations.” This is why there is also a Fab Café open to the general bolder programming.” His most serious undertaking is directing the public with a 3D printer, an engraver and a laser cutter, a bitcoin group Crossing Lines which plays his compositions in Catalonia and dispenser and the HQ of a collaborative consumers’ cooperative. internationally. “The creative standard here is excellent, musicians They organize cultural events for every audience type, some of are really well trained, which is partly as a result of the open minds which are associated with Google or Mozilla. What makes them of the Esmuc. Everything is in place for audiences to be able to special are the visiting student programmes for students from the enjoy this music. Institutions need to understand this moment and universities of Calgary and Mondragon “because I believe some not fall short of the level of involvement required.” really interesting synergies can be created.”

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In the mid-19th century, Narcís Monturiol invented the first crewed, “When we decided to build a submarine we also decided to build self-powered submarines: Ictineu I (1859) and Ictineu II (1864). the best one ever,” asserts Pere Forès, the project’s mastermind DEFYING THE DEEP Taking up the mantle of the celebrated Catalan engineer, the along with Carme Parareda and Miquel Àngel Rodríguez. And company Ictineu SL has built one of the most modern submersibles in no way does the Ictineu III skimp on quality. The submersible Text Irene Pujadas in the world. Conceived for the purposes of science and knowledge, combines an attractive design with a number of technical features Illustrations Diego Marmolejo Ictineu III is a small, practical and transportable vehicle with an that have earned it the endorsement of one of the world’s leading immersion capacity of 1,200 metres and boasts significant advances certification bodies, the prestigious DNV GL. The lithium ion in respect of energy consumption, power and manoeuvrability. batteries, which accounted for more than 20% of the project’s total Even though it represents more than 70% of the Earth’s total surface area, the budget, were bought by multinationals and the project has even attracted the attention of the US Navy. They have also managed sea bed continues to be an impenetrable mystery for humankind even now. It is to significantly reduce the submarine’s weight: normally a sub impenetrable for purely technical reasons: the technology we possess has only designed for this depth would weigh between 8.5 and 14 tonnes, but allowed us to explore between 2% and 5% of all the oceans and seas. The creation the lightweight Ictineu III weighs in at only 5.5 tonnes. of ‘Ictineu III’, a private scientific submarine with the world’s greatest submersion Forès assures us that “at congresses they tell us it’s the most beautiful submarine in the world.” This is in no way flippant: capacity, could help to enrich scientific knowledge about this unfathomable, the comfort and user-friendliness of the Ictineu make the crew unknown quantity members more relaxed and so they consume less oxygen. Moreover, its hydrodynamic shape makes it faster and more able to avoid currents and nets. The design, created by Pere Forès, is innovative when compared to the classic concept of a submarine’s structure. Here, every component is attached to the fairing which has saved having to use a series of titanium layers that would have greatly increased the weight. For all these reasons Karl Stanley, a renowned submarine constructor with a global reputation, has said that the Ictineu III represents a watershed in the world of submarine design.

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Marine and submarine institutions have come to Barcelona from all over the world to check out the landmarks achieved within Narcís Monturiol * the framework of this project. These include organizations of the Discount stature of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) from the USA, the French research institute Ifremer and the Japan Agency Narcís Monturiol (1819-1885) was the creator of for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (Jamstec). Ictineu I (1859) and Ictineu II (1864), the world’s +Tax Free Refund Ictineu III is a private project yet has a clear vocation for public first truly functioning submarines. Indeed, service; it has been built to contribute to scientific research. some say that Ictineu II was the best submarine th Submarines are actually very useful in the field of medical research of the entire 19 century. His Essay on the Art of Navigating Underwater (1891), which solved in that the seabed is a treasure trove of unknown organisms that numerous technical questions, was translated might provide cures for diseases such as cancer. There are also and imitated by the world’s great powers. organisms on the Earth’s surface, but most of these have already Astute, observant and determined, Narcís been discovered. Monturiol is considered one of the pioneers of After more than 90,000 hours in development, the third submarine navigation. In this respect, the aim of Ictineu is now a reality. The outcome of a desire to see a job well Ictineu SL is to continue investigating the legacy done aligned with soaring ambition is a high quality scientific and technical achievements of this eminent submarine that combines an attractive design with optimal Catalan engineer. technical features, thereby attracting the attention of the international submarine industry. “Our greatest success is to have got this far,” says Pere Forès. But the journey has only just begun. Visit our stores** and enjoy tourist privileges

*Offer not combined with other offers/promotions. Valid from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. 2625000000003 **Participant stores: Condal (Condal, 9), Ramblas 136, Ramblas 140, Arcs ( Arcs, 10), Passeig de Gracia (Paseo de Gracia, 47), Ferran 51 (Ferran, 51 – 53), Ferran Sant Jaume (Plaça Sant Jaume, 3), Joan de Borbó (Joan de Borbò, 57), Maremagnum I (Maremagnum. Local 32/33), Maremagnum II (Maremagnum. Local 104), Argenteria (Argenteria 65), Plaça Comercial Born (Plaça Comercial, 6), Nova 28 | Bocana (Passeig Mare Nostrum, 15), Cucurulla (Cucurulla, 1-3), Plaça Catalunya (Plaza Catalunya, 9), | 29 Diagonal Mar (C.C. Diagonal Mar. Local 2560. Avda Diagonal,3). Barcelovers | Issue 4 Barcelona inspires

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101 From the

Photos Txema Salvans

atelier MIRIAM PONSA Having won five awards at 080, she believes that “on the catwalk you create your own 84 atmosphere to make it your own. It’s like an outpouring of the collection and it to the helps to explain the history behind it.” Yet Miriam puts an emphasis on the everyday work in her atelier, in the former textile factory that her great-grandfather founded in 1886, where her designs are made up, dyed, pressed, labelled and distributed. “In catwalk Catalonia you find very high quality and fairer working conditions than in other countries.” Nine years ago she opened a boutique in the Born district where 80% of her customers are foreign. Now, along with Josep Abril, Txell Miras, Andrea Ayala and Cristina Corres, she has opened a boutique in the Marais district in Paris. “In the fashion world it’s important to form partnerships, to support each other. In our case, we’ve found that this approach The 080 Barcelona Fashion Show provides an provides feedback and enriches umbrella for new generations of independent us creatively.” 59 designers who have inherited the city’s long-standing bond with the world of fashion. Having started in the spring of 2008, it is much more than just a showcase for innovative collections. The biannual event is being held for the fifteenth time this February, having established itself as a platform for promoting international synergies between industry, the media

Text Txell Bonet and up-and-coming creative talents. We look back at the event with its four last winners 137

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JOSEP ABRIL MARTINEZ LIERAH He’s been a regular at 080 as well as a The firm of Daniel Lierah and Arturo fixture in the Catalan fashion world since Martínez is deeply rooted in Barcelona. he founded his own brand back in 1996. “It The two of them both chose to study all started when I was studying sculpture fashion; Arturo, from the fourth generation at the School of Fine Arts and I started of Alicante shoemakers from Elda, at the making my own clothes.” He even ended Felicidad Duce Higher School of Fashion up making the costumes for the operas by Design, and Daniel, on a scholarship from the Fura dels Baus in Sydney and showing his native Mexico, at the Elisava School. on the international catwalks in Paris when “To us, Barcelona seemed a really modern he was creative director of Armand Basi’s city. It made my style more sophisticated men’s collections. Being very familiar with and it gives you wings to be more ground- these platforms, he thinks that 080 “has the breaking”, says Lierah. Later on, they set up best casting in the world when it comes to a studio and showroom in Paris, but their models, we could never do it on our own.” company is domiciled in Barcelona and they Though happy to have opened a store in manufacture their clothes in a workshop just Paris with other Catalan designers, he loves a few kilometres outside the city in Palau de creating here in the city. “Barcelona is a Plegamans. “Paris is saturated with ideas and city that attracts people and it lets us travel coming to 080 has given us an identity.” For without having to move.” He produces clients from Hong Kong, China, South Korea, his garments in Catalonia because “as Kuwait and Dubai “it has given us credibility. an independent designer, you have to be The catwalk shows are so professionally run meticulous with your product. We’re not that they work like a business card for us.” so bound by trends.”

The Pioneers BRAIN&BEAST “The thing we most like about 080 is its venues, the fact that it uses some of the city’s Contemporary Catalan fashion has its roots in most iconic buildings. It’s the platform that its long-standing textile industry. In the early first saw us emerge and this is where we 20th century, bespoke tailors started to appear want to be, putting the Barcelona name on who, over the years, established acclaimed our label.” Thus speaks Angel Vilda who, with haute couture ateliers. Examples include El César Olivar and Verónica Rasposo, founded Dique Flotante and Santa Eulalia, who put on this fun, colourful brand which features the first catwalk shows in the 1920s. The 1940s was the decade when dressmakers became numerous unisex pieces. “We love going designers, such as Asunción Bastida and Pedro round the city and seeing people wearing our Rodríguez, who dressed Ava Gardner, Kim clothes.” Even so, their boutique in the Born Novak and Bette Davis. Above all, it was the district has a very international clientele, time of Manuel Pertegaz who, having worked especially Asian and Scandinavian customers, in a tailor’s shop as a teenager, opened his own “who love the fact that our workshop is atelier in Barcelona in 1942. Having established right above the store. Traditionally, and still himself as a master of haute couture, he refused today, Barcelona is a benchmark of design at an offer to move to Paris in 1957 to take over numerous levels: fashion, furniture, graphic the House of Dior after Christian Dior’s sudden arts and even signage. As the fashion director death. His many famous clients included Audrey 132 Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy. at IDEP, I’ve noticed that a large percentage of the students come here from abroad for this very reason.”

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The When approaching the final chapter of life, an unpalatable Up to ten people, with differing levels reality quite often rears its head: when you’re old, there’s nothing worse than loneliness. This is true not only at an emotional and of involvement, create a network of Essential motivational level but also at a practical one; there are many things trust around a senior citizen based on that very elderly people just can’t do for themselves. a computer app Network In a society like ours, in which life expectancy is increasing and with it the number of senior citizens, it’s important to take a direct result of Vincles BCN winning the Mayors Challenge 2014, advantage of the opportunities presented by new technologies. This a competition that encourages citizens to come up with innovative Telecare is the challenge addressed by Vincles BCN, a project that creates, ideas to tackle the main challenges posed by the modern world. Pere Assistance Service according to its director Josep Maria Miró, “a network of trust Barcelona’s proposal was chosen from 155 submissions. Baker around the senior citizen.” Every registered user can access, via At the end of 2014, Vincles BCN was tested using a pilot scheme a programme installed on a tablet or mobile device, all the people of twenty users. This year it has been expanded to 200 people and Home Care Service around them who might be of assistance. These could be family next year there will be an intermediate cap of 2,000 users before members or friends who live elsewhere, as well as neighbours, the complete expansion envisaged for 2017, when 20,000 networks Anna will be established. “Each of these phases has its own particular Maria Friend social workers, health workers or even the nearest baker. A group Neighbour of eight, nine or up to ten people, the more diverse the better, who, challenges”, explains Miró, who says modestly that “this is nothing Oriol with different levels of involvement, share the care of the elderly too revolutionary, it’s a sort of private Facebook between friends, Physiotherapist person and can be contacted by that person through the system family and social agencies, and it needs to be made simple and easy should the need arise. They can make calls, send and receive to use for people who are unfamiliar with this type of technology.” Jordi Laia Carles multimedia content, share a calendar – for example, for medical The scheme provides a free tablet connected to the internet for Granddaughter Neighbour appointments – or transfer money easily and securely. those who don’t have one, which will be free of charge for people Josep Maria Miró is the most visible face of Vincles BCN as below a certain income threshold which is yet to be established. Enric director of ‘Social Innovation Projects for Quality of Life, Equality The main European capital cities predict 25% of the population Son and Sport’ for the local council. He explains that the project will be over 65 by 2040. The success of initiatives such as Vincles Roger has been underway for more than a year: “right from the start BCN and its possible introduction in other cities might open Grandson Lluïsa it was obvious that it was a scheme with great potential.” The up new and essential doors to one of the most complex and, Day Centre main impetus, however, came from New York. Last September, regrettably, unpublicized challenges facing society: managing Barcelona Clara Bloomberg Philanthropies, the foundation chaired by ex-mayor the wellbeing of the elderly. City Council Granddaughter Michael Bloomberg, announced that it would provide funding of five million euros to develop and implement the initiative. This is

Basic operational details of the online platform

Text Borja Barbesà 16 It’s possible for very worthwhile initiatives to emerge from the convergence of new technologies and issues of social concern. Vincles BCN, set up to alleviate CONNECT CALENDAR CONTRIBUTE SAFE DEPOSIT BOX MONITORING ADVICE the isolation of the elderly, has even seduced New York where the Bloomberg AND CELEBRATE Philanthropies foundation has awarded it first prize among more than 150 With the whole Manage and share Post, for example, There is also the The user’s health can Training and support candidates; no less than five million euros to implement the project network, with dates to remember: specific needs or option of creating a be monitored using for users and their subgroups of family times of visits from requests for assistance, safe deposit box in parameters such as network to improve and friends, or Social Services create ‘to do’ lists, which to keep essential weight, amount of areas such as healthy individually and and appointments and also share stories documents securely exercise or blood living habits and privately with any with doctors and and photos with the to have them on hand pressure levels so that money management. member. You can physiotherapists, whole network on a whenever necessary. alarms are triggered connect by writing, amongst others. more celebratory and Access is limited to the if the prescribed audio, video, live chat recreational basis. elderly person and an parameters are or messaging. assigned carer. exceeded.

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Text Borja Barbesà Photos Joan Guillamat

Wood slat blinds are a natural part of the urban landscape of Barcelona and the Mediterranean. Around such a seemingly trivial object, a whole ritual of use has sprung up based on a modest yet essential piece of everyday Pau Sarquella and Diana Usón at the exhibition that Vinçon dedicated to Persiana Barcelona during 2014 engineering. Taking a traditional, deep-rooted feature, improving it and adding new functionalities, while at the Rather than a burst of inspiration, good ideas often emerge from “In just over six months we’ve sold between 800 and 900 square a capacity for observation, from an analysis of something that metres of blinds. Bearing in mind that we’ve only just started and same time upholding its unique identity, is what Persiana already exists. In this particular case, two architectural students the size of the business, that’s not bad going,” explains Sarquella. Barcelona has achieved thought that the balconies of the Raval district deserved something One thing is certain, and that is that the attractive range of colours more effective and aesthetically pleasing than the plastic blinds they have created, in twelve shades, has helped this promising start used by residents to protect their hanging laundry. The answer, up. Eight of the colours are inspired by and named after iconic perhaps, was not in anything revolutionary but rather something examples of Modernism in Barcelona, so you’ll find Milà green, rooted in the traditional cord-operated blinds. But ones that Vicens beige, Batlló green and Planells brown. would ‘fall’ better. The new geometry of the slats proposed by Pau It’s a blind and hence intended for use on exterior windows, but Sarquella and Diana Usón meant that when the blind was extended its creators did not want to restrict its use to the original idea: “we they would overlap like a tiled roof, letting through the air but not want to promote it as an interior design feature… to create a false the rain or water from the balcony above. ceiling, as a space divider… and also as a pergola for a garden or With these and other innovations, some of them aesthetic, they terrace, as it’s a much warmer material than plastic or canvas.” won the Racons Públics competition in 2009 (Public Corners) At the moment, in this respect, they have installed blinds in public for which the FAD – the association that promotes design and spaces such as a restaurant in Lanzarote Airport where it is used as architecture in Catalonia’s economic and cultural spheres – invites a false ceiling. From the façades of the Raval district to the world! people to send in ideas for small interventions in overlooked corners of the city. Their concept gave a dual benefit: on the one hand, it improved the home’s ventilation and sun protection, while on the other it upgraded the look of the façade with something that integrated harmoniously with the general aesthetic of the city. And that is how Persiana Barcelona came about. It was then a case of conceptualizing it as a commercial product, which was eventually Installation at the last Flower Festival (Temps de Flors) in Girona launched in 2014.

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Experience one city. Discover 1Ø

Part of the attractive colour range is inspired by the iconic Modernist buildings of Barcelona

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The home of business

Text Jonàs Sensós Photos Barcelona Activa

If we follow Demosthenes’ maxim, according to whom small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises, we should keep a very close eye on what the brand-new Enterprise Service Office (Oficina d’Atenció a l’Empresa; OAE) has to offer, a space dedicated to providing information, advice and other services for companies

Situated in the 22@ technology district of Barcelona, the OAE offers a centralized series of services which include company start-ups, financial advice, staff searches, internationalization, business changeovers, localization, growth and innovation. The creation of this space, supported by the City Council, comes in response to Barcelona’s determination to establish itself as a business-friendly city capable of dealing with the needs of entrepreneurs and companies in a fast and simple way. The OAE is based on the ground floor of the unique building that houses the Barcelona Growth Centre which is also the head office of the Mobile World Capital Foundation, the Cybernarium and the research centre of the Open University of Catalonia. For this reason, the option of using Espai Barcelona was a particularly attractive one: an area open to local and international companies where you can organize presentations to clients and corporate meetings. The 900 m2 of the OAE, set to become the home of business, will also host investment forums, marketplaces, sector meetings and networking sessions.

The Enterprise Service Office is housed in the Barcelona Growth Centre building

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THE LURE OF THE PISTES

Text Iñaki Barco Illustrations Miquel Tura Rigamonti The hustle and bustle of urban life has many plusses: cosmopolitan diversity, direct access to knowledge hubs, proximity to centres of influence, the unlimited array of cultural and leisure attractions… yet despite all this, each winter, with a greater or lesser frequency and intensity, nearly every urbanite feels the lure of the piste. Barcelona has the rare virtue of offering the most vibrant urban life along with access to a vast array of natural oases within a radius of barely two hundred kilometres. In the asphalt jungle, the winter is a mild one. Yet close at hand, with the infinite patience of geological time and the power of magnets, week after week, the snow attracts squadrons of skiers thirsting for action. Depending on their interests, experience, physical fitness, knowledge, company or taste for adventure, everyone devises their own plan. There are numerous very different skiing options within easy reach of Barcelona

NORDIC SKIING ALPINE SKIING

Recommended resort: Tuixent – La Vansa Recommended resort: La Molina Distance from Barcelona: 150 km Distance from Barcelona: 153 km Sense of immersion in nature: high Sense of immersion in nature: moderate Sense of adventure: moderate Sense of adventure: moderate Technical difficulty: low Technical difficulty: average Physical difficulty: medium Physical difficulty: average

Like all Olympic disciplines, when taken to a competitive level The winter sport par excellence, Alpine or downhill skiing is Nordic skiing is highly demanding both technically and physically. synonymous with snow for most people. The ease of access, the Having said that, in the realm of amateurs you don’t need to have range of different options depending on your personal skill, the wide any prior knowledge to enjoy Nordic skiing from the very first variety of ski resorts and the excellent quality of après-ski services moment you strap on your skis. Skimming along amid the silence have consolidated downhill skiing as the most widely-practiced of snow-laden trees is an experience that enraptures everyone who winter sport. Like anything this popular, it hasn’t come about by tries it. Plus the comfort and lightness of the material has helped chance. The adrenaline that’s released as you fly down the slopes, to make this skiing option more and more popular. Even so, it is testing your skills to the limit, is worth the odd queue at the chair lift. still a relatively minority activity which guarantees a wonderful Very close to Barcelona, the Pyrenees offer a wide variety of experience in relatively unspoilt, unpopulated surroundings. Alpine ski resorts. One of the most traditional, and the closest to the city, is La Molina.

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HELI SKIING SOMETHING NEW Recommended resort: Vielha Distance from Barcelona: 288 km Sense of immersion in nature: high EVERY DAY” Sense of adventure: high Technical difficulty: high Physical difficulty: average

The convenience of ski slopes and their chair lifts plus the adrenaline rush of downhill skiing plus the solitude of Nordic skiing. This winning combination is heli-skiing: soaring over the big peaks in a helicopter and tackling infinite solitary downhill slopes of virgin snow. This practice started out in Canada around the mid-1960s and little by little spread around the world. Not too far from Barcelona, you can practice this extreme sport in the Vall d’Aran in a skiable area of some 400 km2 for a maximum of 20 privileged skiers to enjoy at any one time.

SKI MOUNTAINEERING

Recommended resort: Vallter 2000 Distance from Barcelona: 154 km Sense of immersion in nature: high Sense of adventure: high Technical difficulty: high Physical difficulty: high

People who do ski mountaineering are generally from two different disciplines: expert downhill skiers and mountaineers. The former have tasted the joys of off-piste skiing and long for the big descent on fresh snow. The latter, regular practitioners A day never ends in Barcelona without a little big discovery. Curious, of mountain-based pursuits, realize that in winter it is only on creative, captivating and committed, Barcelona boasts one of the skis that one of the mountain’s most authentic facets can be fully best European science parks in the field of research today. Its appreciated. All of them agree on one thing: once you’ve tasted it, cutting-edge medical resources, local and international talent and Barcelona City Council appreciates the generous support of Anna Veiga. you’re an addict for life. quality of life, make it an important reference point and benchmark In ski mountaineering you climb and descend the mountain on for the entire scientific community. A breakthrough discovery. skis. On the ascent, you fasten synthetic sealskin to the underside of the skis. On the descent, like off-piste skiing, it’s all about the th fresh snow and the adrenaline rush. Even so, it’s a challenging, 4 EUROPEAN CITY IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. high-risk sport which calls for skiing expertise as well as Source:Polytechnic University of Catalonia. knowledge of meteorology, the snow pack and first aid. There are various routes from the Vallter 2000 resort which are relatively accessible and very traditional: the ascent to Bastiments or the cross-country route to Mantet. If this is your first time, we recommend you book the services of a professional mountain guide.

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The brightest 2 night 1. The Ciutadella Park is one of the epicentres of Llum BCN 2. The Memory of the Mirror in the Convent of St Augustine Text Helena Martínez Guimet 3. The Way to the Gate guides visitors on a stroll through the Ciutadella Park Photos Pere Albiac 4. Contribution of the students of the Theatre Institute at the Palau Finestres, now part of the Picasso Museum

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This year, 2015, is the International Year of Light. To coincide with this event, the Llum BCN festival is scheduling activities for 6, 7, 8 and 12 February in a number of locations. Students from schools of design, architecture and lighting will be filling the mediaeval patios of the old quarter with innovative ideas, transforming them into magical places in which to immerse yourself. Their creations have made Santa Eulàlia weep tears of ice, transformed the horizon into dancing light, created windows in solid walls, changed a patio into a submerged garden or made it go on a thrilling journey through time. This year there will be around a dozen locations to visit. One of the other big attractions of the festival is the projection of images onto the façade of the Town Hall and other iconic buildings in the city (La Pedrera and Casa Batlló). The Plaça Sant Jaume is thus transformed into an open air cinema where you can admire even more spectacular mappings than those projected onto the Design, technology and poetic creativity. For the fourth consecutive year these council’s headquarters during the Mercè, the city’s main festival are the concepts behind Llum BCN, Barcelona’s Festival of Light, which coincides that takes place in the autumn. A farm, a trip to the moon, a with the Saint Eulàlia celebrations. Patios and nooks of the Gothic Quarter magical house, a disco or the fruits of an exchange of ideas with the city of Stockholm are just some of the scenes you can enjoy there. become sculptures of moving light, night games that reshape the architecture Finally, between each of the light displays there are three and create imaginative mirages through mapping on the facade of the Town Hall. possible routes to take through the Gothic Quarter, each of them A unique offering that has been growing steadily year on year fascinating and full of surprises, with side activities taking place at points along the way. It all adds up to Llum BCN being a dazzling event during which Barcelona will doubtlessly experience its brightest night.

46 | | 47 Barcelovers | Issue 4 Barcelona inspires THE LAST CULINERY

Pork and poultry are the most important meats in the Catalan larder Text Josep Sucarrats Photos Carles Allende & Enrique Marco OK, the title isn’t ours. We’ve appropriated it with the PETIT COMITÈ permission of the Californian food writer Colman Andrews The ideologies guiding this restaurant were already in evidence in 2008 when Barcelona lacked benchmark establishments serving – author of ‘Catalan Cuisine: Europe’s Last Great Culinary Catalan haute cuisine. Petit Comitè opened with the aim of filling Secret’. Strolling through Barcelona, we’re assailed on all that gap. Today it is managed by Nandu Jubany, the chef who won sides by Asian, Peruvian and Mexican restaurants (the latest a Michelin star for the restaurant he ran in the province of Osona, trend) as well as noteworthy exponents of local avant-garde in Catalonia’s interior. Jubany is renowned as one of the leading exponents of contemporary Catalan cuisine based on traditional cuisine. But is there no Catalan cuisine to be found in the origins. While it’s true that his cannelloni are acclaimed, so are Catalan capital? You bet there is. Here are some suggestions his rice dishes. Petit Comitè’s menu features creamy rice with red for where you can taste ‘mar i muntanya’ (surf’n’turf) prawns and cuttlefish, rice with baby squid and padrón peppers, and dry senyoret rice (with sea cucumber, prawns, monkfish and squid). or Barcelona-style cannelloni. In a city so enamoured of Truffles, free-range eggs and pork are three of the chef’s staples. modern cuisine, tradition is the secret ingredient which, like His effortless pig’s trotters – in other words, deboned – stuffed Colman Andrews, you didn’t expect to discover. with confit of duck, apricots and pine-nuts, are a clear example of one of those dishes with echoes of a bygone age yet with a highly evolved recipe. The essence of Petit Comitè’s Catalan cuisine is at times presented in a genuinely authentic way and at others with innovative formulas that mirror traditional methods.

Petit Comitè Freixa Tradició Gaig Sergi de Meià Passatge de la Concepció, 13. 08008 Barcelona Tel. 93 550 06 20 www.petitcomite.cat

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GAIG No other chef represents the essence of Barcelona’s cuisine more than Carles Gaig. Having descended from a long line of restaurateurs – his family’s first tavern was opened in 1869 – his restaurant brings together avant-garde creations that he has spent 20 years developing along with the recipes handed down by his forebears: mother, grandmother and great grandmother. In recognition of this duality, difficult to find in any other restaurant in the world, the Michelin Guide has awarded it one of its stars. We suggest you go there to taste such typically Catalan dishes as cod fritters, pig’s trotters with salsify, tripe and capipota casserole (literally head and trotters!), or his cardinal-style macaroni. That said, if there is one dish has made Carles Gaig famous, it is his Barcelona-style cannelloni, a dish that Catalans prepare when celebrating special holidays – especially St Stephen’s Day which falls the day after Christmas. The pasta tubes are packed with a mixture of three meats – beef, chicken and pork – covered with béchamel sauce and then gratinated. The assumption is that they originated in Italy, but Catalan grandmothers will convince you that they’ve always really come from here. Fish stews are typical of the Mediterranean area and in Catalonia they are known as ‘suquets’

Cod is the most widely eaten fish in Catalonia’s inland provinces Còrsega, 200. 08036 Barcelona The ideologies guiding this restaurant SERGI DE MEIÀ Tel. 93 429 10 17 / 93 453 20 20 This has been one of the culinary revelations this year in FREIXA TRADICIÓ www.restaurantgaig.com were already in evidence in 2008 Barcelona. The restaurant’s eponymous chef, Sergi de Meià, was For many years, working from the same premises in the Sant when Barcelona lacked benchmark already recognised for his commitment to promoting high quality Gervasi district, chef Ramon Freixa has been responsible for one produce —he is closely involved in the Slow Food movement—and of Barcelona’s most avant-garde menus. But the talent of this chef – establishments serving Catalan haute using popular homespun recipes as the basis for his culinary who has been awarded two Michelin stars – is to travel, and today cuisine. Petit Comitè opened with the aim creations. In his tiny restaurant, with the feel of a traditional he can go to Colombia passing through Madrid without ever leaving Catalan country house in miniature, he exploits these criteria to his home city. Here he has left his father, Josep Maria, in charge of filling that gap the full: his motto is “uncomplicated Catalan cuisine and 100% of the kitchen and his mother Dori dispensing her savoir faire in local”. To achieve this he has signed up Adelaida, his mother, who the dining room. Along with them, he has transformed a family had been a cook years ago and knows very well what dishes used to establishment into a benchmark restaurant for traditional Catalan be served in the region’s hostelries. cuisine. His father has passed on all his know-how acquired over Some of these can be found today at Sergi de Meià: pig’s trotters, decades as a chef in the top classical restaurants of Catalonia’s seafood rice, game dishes, wild mushrooms... if you love fish, try a interior. The menu at Freixa Tradició reads like a précis of the best suquet – a Catalan version of bouillabaisse – made with the day’s traditional recipes. market-fresh catch. Obviously, you’re going to find the fish in this If you want to know about cooking Catalan-style macaroni – with casserole absolutely delicious. But the best things are the humble the juice of roasted meat and never al dente – this is where they potatoes hidden in the dish’s sauce which condense all the flavours make the very best. You’ll find poultry – like the super-traditional of this most Mediterranean of dishes. rolled free-range chicken stuffed with prunes – along with local eccentricities such as surf’n’turf – a combination of meat and fish Barcelona discovered Italian cuisine in the 19th century but such is its integration Aribau, 106. 08036 Barcelona on the same plate: in this case delicious calamari stuffed with that today it seems as if cannelloni have always been made here Tel. 931 25 57 10 meat. And obviously there are dishes featuring cod, for centuries www.restaurantsergidemeia.cat the most widely eaten fish in Catalonia, often accompanied with samfaina, the Catalan version of ratatouille.

Sant Elies, 22. 08006 Barcelona Tel. 93 209 75 59 www.freixatradicio.com

50 | | 51 Urban Wildlife LET BARCELONA ADD Photos Oriol Rigat VALUE TO YOUR COMPANY, TOGETHER WE CREATE JOBS BARCELONA BUSINESS SUPPORT OFFICE OPEN FOR BUSINESS what a company needs to suceed is here under one roof:

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For over 50 years the iconic owl created by Rótulos Roura has looked down on the traffic at the crossroads of Diagonal with the Passeig Sant Joan Designed by Mariscal, this giant prawn with lobster claws is one of the icons of the revamped portside promenade

In 1993, poet Joan Brossa decided to crown the new façade of the Chartered Surveyors’ Association with El Llagost (The Locust), a creature that symbolises wisdom for the Indian cultures of Mexico

Casa Fajol is a Modernist building designed by architect Josep Graner Prat, at 20, Carrer de Llançà After several years of wandering the city streets, the cat by Colombian sculptor Fernando Botero seems to have settled definitively on the Rambla del Raval

The Ciutadella Park, which houses the Parliament of Catalonia and the Barcelona Zoo, is also home to numerous wildlife references The symbol of Barcelona’s seafront, the golden fish by Canadian architect Frank Gehry stands next to the Olympic Marina

The dragon by Basque sculptor Andrés Nagel watches over the northern entrance to the Parc de l’Espanya Industrial in the Sants district

Standing in the Excorxador Park, the Woman and Bird sculpture was created by Joan Miró Barcelona inspires

A selection of the main meetings, events and shows taking place in the city

Live! / Innovation / Knowledge / Meeting Point / Sports

In his poem L’Atlàntida, Jacint Verdaguer described how a dragon watched over the Garden of the Hesperides, which inspired Gaudí to create the Güell pavilions in Pedralbes

| 61 Barcelovers | Issue 4

Festival Tradicionàrius

Barcelona’s international folk music festival kicks off a new edition with the very best of On the table. Ai Weiwei Katy Perry the world’s most popular sounds. Various venues Designed exclusively by Ai Weiwei for the Virreina space, this With more than 10 million records sold worldwide and voted 9 January – 27 March extensive exhibition showcases the artistic trajectory of this Chinese the best female artist at the MTV European Music Awards, the artist and activist. Some pieces are being exhibited for the first time in charismatic US singer visits Barcelona to present her latest album, an installation designed especially for the exhibition. Prism. La Virreina Palau Sant Jordi La Rambla, 99 Passeig Olímpic, 5-7 Until 1 February 16 February

Philharmonia Orchestra London

One of the great London orchestras performs Beethoven’s Third Symphony – Eroica – one of the scores that led to the huge transformation in romantic music in the 19th century. Other pieces include the Coriolan Overture based Barcelona, neutral zone (1914-1918) Tweedy Arissa. Shade and the Photographer on the legendary Roman hero and Chopin’s second piano concerto. Bearing witness to a period of major change, this exhibition presents the full cultural offering Jeff Tweedy, the singer, composer and One of the most eminent exponents of the avant-garde, photographer Antoni Arissa plays with L’Auditori that was available in the Barcelona of the First World War: a journey from the modernity of guitarist from Wilco stars with his son in The reflections, light and shade. These 161 black-and-white prints, being shown together for the Carrer de Lepant, 150 the 19th century through to the avant-gardists and the exiled artists in Paris, and from wartime Tweedy Band quintet, performing a selection first time, achieve their ultimate expressiveness in geometric shapes. 29 January propaganda to the boxing bouts between Arthur Cravan and Jack Johnson. of their best material. CCCB Miró Foundation L’Auditori Carrer de Montalegre, 5 Parc de Montjuïc Carrer de Lepant, 150 Until 12 April 24 October – 15 February 2 February

62 | | 63 Barcelovers | Issue 4

Grigory Sokolov

A magician of sound and a poet of the keyboard, Sokolov has accustomed his audiences to recitals full of insightful moments, prodigious technique and Vicenzo Bellini’s ‘Norma’ exuberant emotion. Palau de la Música Considered the perfect example of musical Carrer del Palau de la Música, 4-6 tragedy, Vicenzo Bellini’s opera is one of the 11 March foremost examples of Italian romanticism. Under the direction of Kevin Newbury, one of the emerging figures on the North American An evening with William Forsyth scene, this production emphasizes the ritual aspects of the drama. Although the history of the Semperoper Ballet goes back to 1817, the arrival in 2006 of the Gran Teatre del Liceu current artistic director, Aaron Sean Watkin, revolutionized its style, breaking down the La Rambla, 51-59 traditional barriers between the classical and contemporary schools. The choreography 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17 February performed in Barcelona is a testament to one of our most innovative living choreographers. Gran Teatre del Liceu La Rambla, 51-59 20 and 21 February Genesis. Sebastião Salgado James Taylor & Band For twenty years, the acclaimed Portuguese photographer devoted his life to exploring The stylish singer/songwriter from North the most remote and unspoiled areas of Carolina has built up a repertoire capable of the Earth. And here are the results: 245 stirring the emotions with sublime delicacy. At photographs that portray all the splendour of the age of 66, his is one of the most venerated Nature and a world very distant from our own. voices in the world of American song. CaixaForum Suite Festival Dolore Sotto Chiave Gran Teatre del Liceu Avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8 La Rambla, 51-59 Robbie Williams Until 8 February The Suite Festival is arranged as a series of Neapolitan director Francesco Saponaro 14 March concerts with the aim of bringing together directs an unusual De Filippo piece working The long-awaited Let Me Entertain You Tour renowned national and international artists in with the revelation company of the Sicilian brings out the best of Robbie Williams, an unparalleled venue. Some of the upcoming theatre scene: a short comedy, not often featuring all his hits in just one concert during performers this year include Woody Allen, Van staged, full of black humour. Performed in a trip back over the highlights of his career. Morrison, Bob Geldof and Gregory Porter. Italian with Catalan subtitles. Palau Sant Jordi Gran Teatre del Liceu Teatre Lliure Gràcia Passeig Olímpic, 5-7 La Rambla, 51-59 Carrer del Montseny, 47 27 March 9 January – 23 May 6 – 8 March

64 | | 65 Barcelovers | Issue 4

Mobile World Congress

The world’s biggest mobile communications event expects to host some 85,000 visitors from over 200 countries this year. In line with the slogan ‘The Edge of Innovation’, attendees will have the chance to experiment first-hand with the mobile technology that is revolutionizing business and transforming the daily lives of millions of people all over the world. Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via Avinguda de Joan Carles I, 64 (L’Hospitalet) TechStartupJobs Fair 2 – 5 March A trade fair designed to help start-ups find the talent they’re looking for and to give the talent first-hand knowledge of the start-ups with most potential. Pompeu Fabra University – Communications Campus Carrer de Roc Boronat, 138 4 March

Pixar. 25 years 4YFN of animation Four Years From Now is part of the Mobile World Congress and provides a business and Having opened to great acclaim at the MoMa networking platform for start-ups, investors Awwwards 2015 in New York and after touring internationa- and firms; an opportunity to discover new lly, Barcelona now welcomes this exhibition entrepreneurial initiatives in the Mobile These awards recognize the talent and hard dedicated to the outstanding progression of device sector. work of the world’s best web designers, Pixar. The work on display demonstrates the Fira de Barcelona – Montjuïc programmers and agencies. It is a meeting creativity and talent of the company’s artists Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina point where professionals can get together who work as much with traditional methods Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via to find inspiration, talk, share knowledge and - hand drawings, paints, pastels and sculptu- Music+Arts Avinguda de Joan Carles I, 64 (L’Hospitalet) experiences and give and receive constructive re - as they do digitally. 2 – 5 March 080 Barcelona Fashion criticism. CaixaForum Thirty local and international artists are AXA Auditorium Avinguda de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8 involved in this showcase of trends in art, 080 Barcelona Fashion is inspired by the concepts of creativity and innovation. A touchstone Avinguda Diagonal, 547 6 February – 3 May music and digital culture. The exhibition is in the world of design and avant-garde fashion, this year the Catalan catwalk transfers to 24 and 25 February complemented by a series of concerts and Drassanes Reials, a Gothic building on the city’s seafront. other activities. Drassanes Reials de Barcelona Mobile World Centre Avinguda de les Drassanes, s/n Plaça de Catalunya 2 – 5 February Until March

66 | | 67 Barcelovers | Issue 4

Annual Enets Conference

The aim of this conference is to unify all the medical research undertaken in Europe into neuroendocrine tumours as well as to coordinate teaching and clinical research and establish guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP NETs). Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB) Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14 11 – 13 March

BCNegra

This crime fiction gathering brings together the best exponents of this literary genre from all around the world. The Pepe Carvalho Prize will also be presented, which last year was won by writer Andrea Camilleri. Various venues 29 January – 7 February Judicial Dialogues on the Barcelona Breast Meeting Inter-American System of Once again this annual conference brings Iceet 2015: XIII Conference Human Rights Guarantee together the world’s top specialists with the WEI Conference on aim of achieving excellence in the field of on Education and Organized by the Law Faculty of Pompeu breast surgery: surgical techniques, cancer Educational Technology Education and Humanities Fabra University, the Supreme Court of surgery, breast reconstruction and cosmetic Mexico and the Inter-American Court surgery. The convergence of education and technology and WEI Conference on of Human Rights, participants include Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau is the core theme of this conference which Business and Economics Eyeforpharma judges from a variety of European and (Autonomous University of Barcelona) is the first forum at which researchers, American courts, researchers, students Carrer de Sant Quintí, 89 academics, professionals and teachers can The conferences run by the West East This internationally renowned global event and other professionals. A meeting point to 11 – 13 March share the innovations, trends and challenges Institute are a platform through which brings together the world leaders of the discuss the developments and challenges of a field that is constantly changing. academics, researchers and administrators pharmaceutical industry to share ideas for guaranteeing judicial human rights Hotel NH Calderón Fertility Control Club can share ideas and interpretations, whether on how to approach customer and patient throughout the entire American continent. Rambla de Catalunya, 26 these are related to the importance of centricity. The challenge is explored from four Universitat Pompeu Fabra – 26 and 27 February Hormonal contraception and new molecular interaction between the worlds of culture perspectives: patient engagement, excellence Ciutadella Campus agents are the focus of this first meeting and business or the fields of education, the in sales, multichannel marketing and the Carrer de Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 of the FCC which aims to create a forum humanities and social sciences. figure of the Key Account Manager (KAM). 25 – 27 February in which international experts and H10 Casanova Hotel Centre de Convencions Internacional de opinion leaders can address the myths Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 559 Barcelona (CCIB) and misconceptions surrounding the role 18 – 21 January Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14 of oestrogen and progesterone in the 24 – 26 March formulation of contraception. Hotel Catalonia Barcelona Plaza Plaça d’Espanya, 6-8 19 – 21 February 68 | | 69 Barcelovers | Issue 4

BTA. Barcelona Food International Industry Technologies

Railway Summit This trade fair is committed to the “Driving forward trains of thought”: This year’s internationalization of the food technology strapline sums up the objectives of a trade Tissue World sector. More than 500 global companies fair which brings together the leaders of the attend making in the largest European event world’s biggest companies in the railway sector. Barcelona has hosted the biggest trade fair in the textile business world since 2003, with more of its kind. It is divided into three shows: Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I than 2,800 visitors from 92 countries. Manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and trade professionals Tecnocàrnica, Tecnoalimentària and Ingretecno. Avinguda Diagonal, 661-671 from all over the world come together for a unique opportunity to share ideas and network. Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via 18 – 20 February Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via Avinguda de Joan Carles I, 64 (L’Hospitalet) Avinguda de Joan Carles I, 64 (L’Hospitalet) 21 – 24 April Global Packaging Summit 17 – 19 March

A premium platform for analysing the future of packaging: from ideas for reducing costs though to sustainable packaging, via creative innovations in the field of design and materials. Hotel Hesperia Tower Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 144 (L’Hospitalet) 26 and 27 January Infarma. European Congress on energy Neuromarketing Pharmaceutical efficiency and sustainability World Forum Meeting Point in the tourism sector The leading event in the world of neuromarketing comes to Barcelona for the This event, comprising the Medicines and A benchmark event in which to acquire first time. Experts from all over the world will E-Show Parapharmacy Trade Fair and the European knowledge, share views and participate in speak on strategies, objectives and creativity. Pharmacies Conference, is the ideal venue for business initiatives for transforming current World Trade Center Barcelona With the last edition attracting over 14,800 visitors, the show has established itself as one of exchanging professional experiences, sharing tourist destinations into smart ones. Moll de Barcelona the biggest events in the online business world: e-commerce, online marketing, social media, knowledge and, above all, finding out about Centre de Convencions Internacional 25 – 27 March hosting and cloud computing, and digital signage. the latest developments in the sector. de Barcelona (CCIB) Fira de Barcelona – Montjuïc Fira de Barcelona – Gran Via Plaça de Willy Brandt, 11-14 Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina Avinguda de Joan Carles I, 64 (L’Hospitalet) 10 – 12 March 25 and 26 March 24 – 26 March

70 | | 71 Barcelovers | Issue 4

Zurich Barcelona Marathon

A very central route that takes in some of the main tourist sights of the Catalan capital: La Pedrera, the Arc de Triomf and Torre Agbar, as well as the seafront and the Gothic Quarter. The runners, including professionals, keen amateurs, seasoned veterans and novices, all strive to complete the legendary distance of 42 kilometres and 195 metres. Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina (Start/Finish) 15 March

Historic Monte Carlo Rally 67th Kings’Day Barcelona International Exclusively for cars that took part in the rally International Hockey Indoor Trial and between 1955 and 1980, these stylish vintage Championship Enduro vehicles will set off from Barcelona en route to Monaco. This competition has taken place every single Spectacle, fierce competition, an incredible Avinguda de la Catedral year since 1949. Six international teams atmosphere and, above all, a passion for 30 January compete each time, whether clubs, ad-hoc motorcycles. City of Barcelona teams or national sides. Palau Sant Jordi International Judo Trophy Barcelona Royal Polo Club Passeig Olímpic, 5-7 4 – 6 January 8 February 300 judokas from 12 different countries take part in this fiercely-fought championship. Centre Esportiu Municipal Olímpics Barça live Espanyol live Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 166-176 21 February Be there to experience all the passion of one Be there to experience all the passion of one of soccer’s top leagues. of soccer’s top leagues. 18/01 FCB-Atletico de Madrid 4/01 Espanyol-Eibar 31/01 or 1/02 FCB-Villareal 18/01 Espanyol-Celta de Vigo 14 or 15/02 FCB-Llevant 24 or 25/01 Espanyol-Almeria 21 or 22/02 FCB-Malaga 7 or 8/02 Espanyol-Valencia 7 or 8/03 FCB-Rayo Vallecano 28/02 or 1/03 Espanyol-Cordoba 18/03 FCB-Manchester City 14 or 15/03 Espanyol-Atletico de Madrid 21 or 22/03 FCB-Real Madrid

72 | | 73 Barcelovers | Issue 4 BarcelonaBarcelona inspires inspires

Wake Barcelona World Race Volta de Catalunya After sailing non-stop around the world, the cycle race two-man vessels taking part in the third On 29/03 Barcelona will host the final stage edition of this regatta are expected back of the competition with 104 years of history. around the end of March. 23 – 29 March Arrival at Port Vell expected at the end of March Up in Barcelona

International Vintage Car Rally

An unmissable event for lovers of vintage vehicles. For the 56th year running, cars built before 1928 will assemble in Barcelona to set out on the classic route to Sitges. 29, 30 and 31 March What can I do today? / Mobile Barcelona / Hints and Tips / Carnival / Things that could Down Urban Barcelona happen to you in Barcelona

A spectacular downhill trial for MTBs in an urban setting which attracts riders from all over the world. Magic Fountains of Montjuïc Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1 29 March

74 | | 75 | 75 Barcelovers | Issue 4 Barcelona inspires

What can I do today? Mobile Barcelona

On the Apps4bcn website (www.apps4bcn.cat) you’ll find the best apps for enjoying the city

Is this your So you must know Gaudí. But do Well don’t waste time; go Yes first time in and visit a Gaudí building! No you fancy seeing his work in an BARCINO 3D BARCELONA DESIGN TOUR APP Barcelona? interactive way using 4D technology? The city was originally an important Roman In recent years, the city has created an colony called Bàrcino whose Golden Age was identity that puts a premium on culture, in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. That period, just creativity and design. This has undoubtedly No You’ve done that? when the city wall was completed, allows been helped by the high number of creative Yes us to discover a new app for tablets, soon to people in the city along with the legacy be available for Smartphones, called Barcino of universally acclaimed artists such as No 3D. With it you can overfly the city and take MOBILE HISTORY MAP Gaudí, Miró and Brossa. The Don’t worry, Yes a virtual stroll through its streets, featuring With this pioneering project, primary and Barcelona Design Tour app I’ll wait Traditional virtual images from the past superimposed secondary schoolchildren from Barcelona and suggests a route to take bodegues in the on photographs of the present, painstakingly the whole of Catalonia can use an interactive in Barcelona’s culture and geolocated. It looks like a video game but in map to describe and geotag the cultural, design covering the main Gràcia district OK. No Gaudí. But fact it’s a true encyclopaedia. historical and natural points of interest in venues, schools, hotels, Brrrr... Impressive, eh? Do do you know what he loved to drink? the area in and around their school. This bars, fashion boutiques, It’s a bit chilly, you want to go further information is public and can be looked bookshops and other isn’t it? Vermouth! into Gaudí’s universe up online via the project’s website (mhn. relevant locations that in an interactive way? mobileworldcapital.com) and also through help to explain Barcelona’s Yes Yes a mobile app with the same name, available position as one of the world’s for both iOS and Android devices. design capitals. Now? Yes Maybe I’m mistaken, but isn’t it true you feel Now that you’re No Yes like trying one now? close to Gràcia, No why not relax with a good vermouth? THE 10 BARCELONAS BARCELOVERS ON THE WEB Would you like to see what Barcelona has to If you like the magazine you’re currently No Blimey... OK, OK... offer in terms of its neighbourhood diversity holding, you can now enjoy it digitally. We just take your time... and the fascinating geography of a city that now have a web version and an app for both lies between the Llobregat and Besòs rivers, iOS and Android tablets. These new formats Gaudí the Tibidabo mountain and the sea? The give you access to up-to-date content in the Experience Understood. Vermouth website Barcelona Inspires includes The 10 magazine’s three languages (Catalan, Spanish You making it hard for is off. But surely you want Barcelonas, ten capitals, one in each district, BCN CITY APP and English), all the previously published me; but I have an idea I’m to drink something? with a wealth of information on what can Fortunately for us, technology can fill the paper editions and all the multimedia sure you’ll like: how about be found in radically diverse environments: gaps in our knowledge. Anybody unaware of benefits supported by these devices a mystery adventure? So maybe urban spaces, cultural heritage, shopping the attractions and services available in the to round off the reader’s experience. a little walk No zones, areas of natural beauty, sporting city can get instant information relevant to No then? facilities, business districts, study and their physical location through the BCN City Yes research institutions, and more. App. It’s free and it gives access to everything Yes Yes that might be of interest to visitors in a No How about eating single app, making it an indispensable tool in Europe’s largest for tourists and locals alike. Themed routes, Yes restaurant? Is it a yes? a calendar of the city’s main events and a It’s true, I’ve tricked you. There wide selection of bars and restaurants are was no chance to say “no”, but just some of the content. It also lets you it’s because I know you’ll love it request services from the hotel you are staying in via your mobile device.

The Games such A stroll around National as Live Escape the Olympic Ring Yes on Passeig Room on Montjuïc de Gracia

76 | | 77 Barcelovers | Issue 4 Barcelona inspires Hints and Tips Carnival

In Venice, parties, fancy dress and masked balls; in Rio de Janeiro, colour, music and spectacular parades in the Sambadrome; in New Orleans, floats, crews and the famous King Cake. And in Barcelona? How is Carnival celebrated? The costumes and parades are certainly the best known manifestations, but not THE BARÇA COAT OF ARMS the only ones AT SANTA MARIA DEL MAR Every year, thousands upon thousands of Photos Pere Virgili people enjoy visiting the church of Santa Maria del Mar, a magnificent example of 14th century Catalan Gothic architecture. Many of these visitors will, however, overlook a curious feature: the small coat of arms of Barcelona THE EASTER ‘MONA’ Football Club on one of the stained glass BOMB SHELTER On Easter Sunday, tradition has it that windows on the second level to the left-hand Something that a few decades ago was a godparents should give a mona to their side of the main altar. Towards the end of the symbol of fear, hiding and desperation is now godchild which, if they can resist it, is 1960s the club make a financial contribution a space to visit and, above all, to remember. At normally eaten the next day. Monas are eye- towards the repair of windows damaged the upper end of the street Nou de la Rambla, catching desserts that usually consist of a during the Civil War and, as a mark of halfway up the hill of Montjuic, is Shelter 307, sponge cake decorated with feathers, candied gratitude, it was decided to include a 50x40 an underground gallery built to accommodate fruit and chocolate eggs or other chocolate cm version of the patron’s coat of arms. the local residents and protect them from figures. The latter is what most interests the bombardments of Franco’s army during the younger members of the household, the Civil War. Nowadays the space, one of the which has encouraged bakers to make ever best equipped of its time, can be visited with more spectacular figures, often representing a guide: it had electric wiring, an infirmary, sporting personalities or contemporary toilets, etc. It was found by accident in 1995 fictional heroes. when a glass shop was demolished that had Auca. This is the name for a series of vignettes been blocking one of its entrances. that illustrate the different features and stages of the carnival celebrations. They are satirical yet instructive and traditionally form the main EL REI CARNESTOLTES (THE CARNIVAL CARNIVAL SATURDAY. The main event for young means of spreading information on the carnival. KING). This character is at the heart and old alike is definitely the Saturday procession or, This custom has been revitalized and expanded of all the celebrations. He arrives in Barcelona more accurately, processions, in that King Carnestoltes’ over recent years. every year on ‘Dijous Gras’ (Fat Thursday) to ambassadors visit their own home towns and take HOT CHOCOLATE AT PETRIXOL read a satirical speech giving his permission part in one of the parades programmed for each of the Winters in the city tend to be mild yet they to engage in debauchery, dancing and dressing seven ancient towns that make up Barcelona. are sufficiently chilly in some months for a up… but only until the following Tuesday when hot snack to be a very welcome treat. In this the King is tried, condemned to death and then respect there are few more typical Barcelona publically burnt. At midnight on Tuesday, Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, the day of the THE ORIGIN OF A YOGHURT traditions than enjoying a hot chocolate in Burial of the Sardine. In 1919, in one of the apartments at 16, one of the cafés along Carrer Petrixol. It can Carrer dels Àngels right next to the MACBA, be accompanied by melindros (sponge fingers) CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS Isaac Carasso started a small company or xurros (deep fried doughnuts) or enjoyed IN AN OLD WOOL FACTORY making yoghurt in the traditional way. When with homemade cream. This thoroughfare, Antoni Vila i Casas is an entrepreneur in it came to choosing a name for the company, just 130 metres long, has other attractions: a the pharmaceutical sector and a lover of he found his inspiration in the name of ceramic storyboard distributed amongst the culture which has led him to become a great Daniel, his eldest son, which gave rise to the façades of the buildings which documents patron of the arts. His foundation owns birth of the famous brand Danone. These the street’s history, and then there is Sala several spaces dedicated to art, the latest of days, the family business is based in France Parés, the country’s leading art gallery. which is situated in an old wool factory in and is a multinational with a highly diverse Poblenou. Can Framis covers an area of nearly range of products. four thousand square metres and exhibits examples of contemporary Catalan painting, LA TARONJADA (THE ORANGE BATTLE). On Sunday afternoon, though the venue warrants a visit in its own FAT THURSDAY. This is the day the celebrations in the Born district, King Carnestoltes and his Seven Ambassadors right: two of the original three industrial get under way, with people anticipating the imminent each take up their positions from which they instigate La Taronjada, a tradition going back to the 14th century that consists of a pitched units have been restored whilst the third, arrival of King Carnestoltes by dressing up. It is also a day for eating lots of fatty foods such as omelettes, battle with orange balloons and orange confetti, every man for himself, very badly damaged, has been replaced by a egg sausage and coques de llardons (sweet pastry with harking back to the original format in which real oranges were thrown. new building that unifies the whole complex pine-nuts). In the city they usually run omelette- making competitions and then in the afternoon prepare for the arrival of King Carnestoltes.

78 | | 79 Barcelovers | Issue 4 Things that could happen to you in Barcelona 100% Run 42.195 KM

WHAT DEFINITELY WON’T WHAT PROBABLY WON’T WHAT PROBABLY WILL WHAT DEFINITELY WILL HAPPEN TO YOU HAPPEN TO YOU HAPPEN TO YOU HAPPEN TO YOU through There will be a heavy You’ll be the victim There will be a Barça game You’ll find the exit from C

snowfall in the city of a robbery on at Camp Nou the Horta Maze M

Y In the last 60 years there have Barcelona’s crime figures are Between the months of Despite its convoluted only been two major snowfalls very low but, as in any tourist September and May, Barça play passageways, up until now CM

in the city centre. The most centre, you have to watch a match practically every 10 days everyone who has visited the MY exceptional was at Christmas your belongings to discourage in Barcelona. Check the fixture Horta Maze has managed to 4,000 years 1962, with snow 30 cm deep pickpockets. To avoid risks we list on FC Barcelona’s website find their way out. The maze CY

along the shorefront. The other, recommend: only carry the and, with a little bit of luck, forms part of Barcelona’s oldest CMY in March 2010, was less severe, absolutely minimum of cash and you’re sure to find a League, garden which was developed K with depths of between 5 and 8 valuables; distribute your money, Cup or Champions’ League game. along neo-classical lines, starting cm. With the exception of cold keys and documents throughout in 1791 and ending up as a snaps, the winter temperature different pockets and bags; romantic garden in 1853. It is of history of Barcelona is usually mild beware of street vendors and an emblematic landmark of the with average temperatures don’t stop to watch gambling Horta-Guinadó district. of between 9 and 12ºC. games on the street. th You’ll discover hidden On March 15 You won’t see snow from You’ll leave without having Modernist jewels the lookout point of the tasted ‘calçots’ Torre de Collserola At the end of the 19th century, the world runs It’s possible that between January Barcelona was the world capital If you want to see snow, this is and March someone will invite of Modernism, with Gaudí as one a good place to do it. The peaks you to a typical calçotada – in of its leading exponents. The city of the Montseny range can be the open air, in public spaces has preserved a great deal of the to the beat seen very clearly and, with a bit or in private homes – and that architecture from that period of luck, the Pyrenees too. This the city’s restaurants will have which is mainly concentrated in communications tower, designed calçots on the menu. Calçots the Eixample area with buildings of Barcelona by the architect Norman Foster are a delicious variety of spring such as the Sagrada Famila, for the Barcelona Olympics of onion, very popular in Barcelona La Pedrera and the Modernist 1992, is the highest lookout and throughout Catalonia, eaten complex of the Hospital of Santa point in the city. A total of with a sauce made from tomato, Pau. Yet beyond the city’s major 560 metres above sea level, it garlic, hazelnuts and almonds. constructions are hidden palaces, offers panoramic views of both Everyone has their own special gardens and numerous Modernist Barcelona and other areas of the secret recipe. details in business premises and region. decorative features in the streets.

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