Barcelona Metropolitan Issue 246

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JULY 2017 Nยบ 246

BARCELONA-METROPOLITAN.COM

aN aRTisT aT sea IN TERVIEW W IT H MA RK RE DDE N

RePORT:

Z O O T R ANS F O R MATIO N

ibiza escaPes T H E U P C Y C L I N G TR EN D PLUS! ART 01 cover.indd 4

MUSIC

SHOPPING

NEW IN TOWN

STREETLIFE

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

TRAVEL 6/26/17 11:11 AM

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TH A N NIVERS ARY Patek Philippe - F.P. Journe - Ulysse Nardin - Girard Perregaux Zenith - Bremont - Nomos - Baume et Mercier - Bell & Ross TagHeuer - Cuervo y Sobrinos - Oris - Vulcain - Junghans - Ball Sevenfriday - Qlocktwo - Suuntoto

W E P R O U D LY A N N O U N C E T H E A R R I V A L O F O U R N E W B R A N D

DIAGONAL 626 • 08021 BARCELONA • (+34) 93 414 3711 W W W. T H E W A T C H G A L L E R Y. E S

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 246 · JULY 2017

IN THE CITY 06 08 11 12 15 16 19 25 46 82

New in town Streetlife Five things A place of my own History Best of Shopping Grec Festival Photo essay Out & About

WHAT’S ON 32 36 40 42

Music Art Misc Calendar

WORKING LIFE 53 Startup of the month 54 Pier 01 Tech City 56 A day in the life

REPORT: ZOO XXI Animal rights activists put pressure on Barcelona Zoo to evolve

TRASH TO TREASURE

TRAVEL

Shops around the city are transforming waste into creative and practical designs

58 Ibiza 62 Boating in Empuriabrava

DEDICATED CRAFTSMAN An interview with Mark Redden, Barcelona’s only currach builder

FOOD & DRINK

A SEARCH FOR NEW SAND

64 Restaurant review 66 Quick bites

The most appealing beaches are an easy train ride away

METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTORS Publisher The Noise Lab S.L. Founder Esther Jones Director Andrea Moreno Editors Rachel Huffman, Carol Moran Art Director Aisling Quigley Sales Director Jalil Alui Client Care Manager Aminah Barnes Sales Guillem Agusti, Mauricio Valadares Ortiz, Sander Vanheel Digital Analyst Richard Cardwell Editorial Assistants Katherine Benson, Sally Hargrave, Elizabeth Hlavinka, Amelia Wynne Design Assistant Niki Ortiz, Jonne Rutten Contributors Misty Barker, Aminah Barnes, Eimear Corrigan, Gareth Lloyd-Evans, Catherine Howley, Priyankaa Joshi, Melissa Leighty, Sam Mednick, Donnchadh Tiernan, Will Shank, Tara Stevens, Sam Zucker Photographer Lewis Gregory Illustrator Ben Rowdon Cover photo Lewis Gregory Duc 6, 08002 Barcelona Tel. 93 451 4486 editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com The views expressed in Barcelona Metropolitan are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Reproduction, or use, of advertising or editorial content herein, without express permission, is prohibited. Depósito legal: B35159-96

GARETH LLOYD-EVANS From Kenilworth in Warwickshire, Gareth started as a freelance photographer in the early Nineties, photographing locations, still lifes, events and people. Apart from his commercial work, he has been commissioned to create documentary projects. He’s currently part of the ‘Face to Face’ exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry. He fell in love with Barcelana many years ago and never tires of walking its streets and enjoying its culture. He also found his love here and now has two sons.

SALLY HARGRAVE Sally spent much of her childhood living abroad in Asia and France, where she developed a love for travelling and learning languages.

This made her choice to study Spanish (and history) at the University of Durham an easy one. She is working as an editorial assistant at Metropolitan during her Erasmus year, and has loved being able to explore the city’s hidden gems while writing for the magazine. Next year she will return home to finish her degree, but hopes she won’t be gone for long.

DONNCHADH TIERNAN Donnchadh studied English literature at the University of Limerick in Ireland, during which time he started performing stand-up comedy. Once he graduated, he opened a series of clubs in the area, some of which still run today under different management. Before moving to Barcelona he worked as a film critic in Dublin, and since arriving he has taken over an English academy in Terrassa. He can usually be seen gigging at one of the many English-language comedy clubs the city has on offer.

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IN THE CITY

new in town

AT SUNSET cAFÉ DEL MAr LouNGE. MoLL D’ESPANyA 5.  LOUNGE.CAFEDELMAR.BARCELONA When the first Café del Mar opened in Ibiza in 1980, it had one mission: to establish a properly ‘chilled-out’ environment to watch the sun set. Since then, the business concept has been applied in locations around the world, and now the same sunset scene has come to Barcelona. Located above the Maremagnum shopping centre, Café del Mar Lounge provides patrons with a bird’s-eye view of Port Vell and the city. The restaurant, specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, features mainly fish and seafood recipes, while live music and various acts create the ultra-cool feel of the lounge. Since its opening, soul and jazz singer Gigi McFarlane has performed, and Barcelona-born illusionist Carlos Fortuna has wowed guests with his tricks.

A MOUTH FULL OF SOUTH Dirty South. Bruc 46.  DIRTYSOUTHBCN.COM There’s not a burger in sight at the city’s newest American restaurant. Instead, as its name suggests, Dirty South is all about the Deep South, serving everything from biscuits and hush puppies to mint juleps and fried chicken. Masterminds Katherine and Theo O’Donnell based the restaurant on the two opposing sides of Katherine’s native cuisine—the messy and the classy. Diners can get down and dirty with what the pair have coined ‘drunch’—a weekend affair combining pitchers of bloody Marys, mimosas or bourbon sangria with standard southern brunch dishes—or they can keep their hands clean with the handcrafted cocktails, market-fresh fish and oysters that Dirty South also cooks up. “We want to demonstrate the enormous range of southern food,” explained head chef Shaw Prescott. “With influences from Spanish, French, Native American and African cuisines, our menu is really a melting pot of flavours.”

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HORN IN THE USA GAuSS. BAiLÈN 22.  GAUSSBCN.COM Gauss is quickly becoming Barcelona’s most lavish new venue. A former cabaret theatre turned jazz bar and club, with decor and aesthetics influenced by New York’s and Chicago’s most prominent nightclubs, including Paradise Garage and Muzic Box, the club only opens Saturday nights for its MINT event. The name references secondhand records in pristine condition. Here, a mishmash of old house, funk, boogie and disco music come together amongst neon lights, black and white photographs, tables that tell graphic stories and velvet upholstery that really heats things up. Continuing the philosophy of the mythical American jazz clubs, this savagely elegant haunt prides itself on welcoming those of all sexualities, nationalities and races, creating an inclusive and lively night out for clubbers who are all about the music.

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TWISTED BREAD BrotZEit BArcELoNA. PuiGMArtÍ 34.  FACEBOOK.COM/BROTZEITBARCELONA Literally translated as ‘bread time’, Brotzeit lives up to its name, with dozens of varieties of German brown breads, pretzels, biscuits and cakes on offer.

Co-owners Marc Skupien and Félim Bradbury opened the shop in January of this year, and it wasn’t long before their exotic bread products and sausages, such as Weisswuerste (a German white sausage) and Leberkäse Semmel (similar to meatloaf but more tightly packed and served like a hamburger), caught people’s attention. “Initially we wanted to appease a particular niche market,” said Bradbury, “but then locals and holidaymakers started coming in regularly too.” Located in Gràcia, the shop is small, with standing room only, and resembles a traditional ‘backshop’—a quaint mom-and-pop bakery typical to Germany. Look out for another location opening soon near Via Augusta.

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IN THE CITY

streetlife

AVINGUDA DE MISTRAL This pedestrian-friendly street in Sant Antoni is lined with a refreshing range of businesses for families and hipsters alike

No 54 Niño Viejo

No 54

Born out of a desire to bring authentic Mexican gastronomy to Barcelona, Albert Adrià and elBulli chef Paco Méndez opened a pair of restaurants next door to each other, to provide a comprehensive representation of Mexico’s diverse cuisine. “I wanted to rescue its reputation from the blight of the Tex-Mex fusion that’s better known in Europe,” said Adrià. The more walletfriendly option, Niño Viejo, which opened in July 2014, serves up typical street food found in Mexican cities. Think cactus ceviche, huitlacoche (corn smut) tacos, tequila-infused macarons and zingy guacamole garnished with an avocado stone. The majority of dishes are under €10, making this the ideal choice for those looking to experience an Adrià restaurant on a budget.

The restaurant also features a full bar but specialises in margaritas—opt for the Margarita Montjoy, which is topped with aire de sal (salt foam). Service is attentive yet informal, and the decor channels the lively, laid-back theme, with floral Mexican oilcloths draped over the tables, a neon taqueria sign above the bar and colourful sombreros adorning the walls. ninoviejo.es

No 64

Gelatomania

Hoja Santa

Hoja Santa—named after the aromatic heart-shaped leaf used to make tamales and mole—opened in November 2014 to showcase the more traditional side of Mexican cooking. Here you’ll find beautifully presented classic dishes with a signature elBulli twist. “The spherified olives filled with salsa verde, tabasco, lime juice and cilantro are a must-try,” said customer Esteban, from Sevilla. Other more inventive dishes include oysters with cactus juice, grilled marrow bones and Wagyu veal. Whilst housed in the same building as Niño Viejo, the Michelin-starred restaurant occupies a much bigger space, with large round tables pivoted towards the buzzing kitchen so that patrons can watch the skilful chefs at work. Sleek hardwood floors and colourful Mexican hammocks give the decor the same elegant and creative touch showcased in the food. Choose the tasting menu for €110, which comes with 15 to 25 bite-sized snacks that are paired with tequila or mezcal, to try a little bit of everything. hojasanta.es

At Gelatomania, Italian owner Roberta, a second-generation ice cream maker from Como, uses her father’s traditional recipes to produce smooth, creamy gelato with natural, additive-free ingredients. “It’s very important for me to use organic, local produce whenever possible,” she explained. Specials such as matcha green tea and ginger add flair to the more traditional selection of pistachio, dark chocolate and strawberry, all of which are made on site by Roberta herself. After school lets out, crowds of children gather around the shop to watch as the ice cream is churned out in front of their eyes. With fresh fruit sorbets and dairy-free ice creams too, there is something for everyone. However, Roberta suggests the brioche Siciliana con gelato (a soft, buttery Sicilian brioche, stuffed with your choice of ice cream)—a true Italian delicacy. facebook.com/gelatomaniabcn

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No 66

Comín

It’s a family affair at this jewellery shop and gallery space. Opened in 1965 by jeweller Lluís Comín Peña, the store is now run by his son Lluís and granddaughter Elena, who design and create the majority of items on offer. You’ll find a range of handmade pieces from classic pendants to contemporary geometric earrings. They also restore and repair jewellery, and create personalised designs. “We like to work closely with our clients to make unique pieces that reflect their personality,” said Lluís. Meanwhile in the adjacent 66mistal gallery, visitors can view a permanent collection of contemporary jewellery by talented local artists. comin-joieriacreativa.com

No 66

M Kulture Barber

With exposed brick walls, incandescent lights and beer on tap, this barbershop exudes hipness from the decor to the service. “We offer modern styles, technical expertise and an informal experience,” said barber Felix. At M Kulture, customers are encouraged to kick back and relax while the highly-trained staff provide them with a precision cut, colour or straight razor shave. Regular client and Sant Antoni local Marc hit the nail on the head: “You can enjoy a beer while getting your hair cut—it doesn’t get much better than that.” facebook.com/mkulturebarberbcn

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FIVE THINGS

CHILD’S PLAY

In a city where family and friends value time spent together, Barcelona has plenty of activities to enjoy, little ones in tow

1. PARC DE DIAGONAL MAR

Take a break from the beach and explore this ambitious project, a cut above the average city park. Designed by husband and wife team Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue, and located on a disused factory site, this 14-hectare park puts Barcelona at the forefront of originality and sustainable architecture.

Divided into seven wide open areas—each meant to target a different sense, but linked together by a tubular structure that spiders its way through the park— your kids will love the large play area, slides and expansive grounds for running and jumping. The park also has a raised walkway snaking across the water and a lake with sculptures that spray water. lameva.barcelona.cat

2. COSMOCAIXA

Along with being one of the biggest science museums in Europe, CosmoCaixa boasts a miniature Amazon rainforest, 3D planetarium and interactive activities, great for diehard science lovers or the merely curious. The foundation offers regular workshops for children, as well as family activities to raise awareness of the mysteries of science. The ‘Clik’ and ‘Flash’ exhibitions introduce children to science through games—Clik encourages play, observation and deduction through smell, touch and sight, while Flash uses technology to showcase exploration, construction and electricity. And in each session of ‘Touch, Touch!’ museum staff present animals and plants from three different environments to educate kids on which species are safe to touch and which to avoid. cosmocaixa.com

3. EL CAU

What kid doesn’t love clambering around secret passageways looking for adventure or just letting off steam? This bright space features a wooden den that children can crawl through, with openings that lead into a labyrinth of tunnels with slides, steps and games, as well as hanging cloths to climb up and different textures to touch. At the back, there’s a stage where small plays and puppet shows take place, for when everyone needs a break from running around. You’ll also find zones made entirely of soft materials, toys that stimulate psychomotor development and a cafe for parents to relax in. el-cau.cat

4. CATALUNYA EN MINIATURA

See the most important places in Catalunya in miniature at this unique attraction, a 30-minute drive from Barcelona in Torrelles de Llobregat. Its Scale Model Exposition features models of famous Gothic, Romanesque and Modernista architecture found throughout the region. Your kids can stand as tall as the Columbus Monument and examine every surface of the Catedral Santa María de Girona. They will be able to stomp through Vall de Boí like King Kong and hop right across the Lake of Banyoles. With more than 48 of these wooden, 1:25 and 1:33 scale models to inspect, you’re in for a real treat. If you’re looking for a little more action, there’s also an adventure circuit at the theme park. catalunyaenminiatura.com

5. DRAGON HUNT

Put on your detective guise and follow a scavenger hunt to uncover the secrets behind the dragons of Barcelona. With this fun and interactive Kids & Cat tour, your whole family can spend an afternoon exploring the city in search of mythical creatures and the legends that define them. As a private guide walks you from la Boqueria up Passeig de Gràcia, children can use one of the provided smart devices to discover and fight dragons hidden in monuments along the way. They will also receive a dragon hunter’s passport and playing cards with drawings and descriptions of the different creatures they encountered. By the end of the tour, you will all be dragon experts, able to distinguish between Asian, European, marine and forest dragons. kids-cat.com

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IN THE CITY

A PLACE OF MY OWN

ELI AND OKAN HAVE TRANSFORMED A ONCE-DERELICT APARTMENT NEAR SAGRADA FAMÍLIA INTO A SPECTACULAR FAMILY HOME WITH THEIR DESIGN KNOW-HOW

C

ouple Eli and Okan Cem Cohen, both half-Dutch, half-Turkish, haven’t always been lucky in creating their perfect home.

After spending seven months painstakingly renovating a three-storey townhouse in Amsterdam, just weeks after moving in, Eli, Okan and their 18-year-old son, Brandon, were woken up at two in the morning as a fire from the hotel next door spread to their home. Forced to start again from scratch, it took a year and a half of rebuilding and redecorating before work on the house was complete. Unbelievably, just four months later, the property caught fire again. “We developed a huge fire phobia.

Now we have fire alarms and extinguishers everywhere,” said Eli, pointing out a quirky wine bottle-shaped fire extinguisher mounted on the kitchen wall.

The second fire came as a huge blow to the family, so when the opportunity came to move to Barcelona for Okan’s job, they decided to take the leap. “We wanted a fresh start and we liked the idea of living in Spain,” said Eli. Having both lived and worked all over the world, the prospect of relocating wasn’t a daunting one and in March last year, they moved into a temporary apartment on Via Laietana with their Chihuahua Coco.

Although their plan was to find a villa in Sant Cugat, everything changed when Eli stumbled on their current Sagrada Família apartment while working for a property

development company. “The apartment hadn’t been touched for decades. It was in a complete state of desolation, but it had such positive energy that I was immediately attracted to it.” Eli phoned Okan and told him to come and see the flat, and to bring cash with him. When Okan arrived, he agreed that this was the apartment for them. “It was a pretty impulsive decision,” admitted Eli. While many people might have been deterred by the amount of work necessary to make the place liveable, with their experience they saw the neglected space as a blank canvas.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing though. The couple got the keys for the apartment in May 2016, but weren’t able to move in until April of this year. The biggest hurdle was getting permission to knock down walls, which they were told threatened the structural integrity of the building. “It was a frustrating process because we knew that that wasn’t the case,” said Eli. After months of discussions with the city council, construction finally began in October. By rearranging the layout of the apartment, they were able to open up the dark and cramped space. Walls were removed in the entrance to create a sizeable open kitchen and what is now a bright and airy dining room come office, used to be three closed off bedrooms.

“Our goal was to make this feel like a large, spacious apartment within 80 square metres,” explained Eli. Their interior design knowhow helped to achieve this. For instance, in

the kitchen, an oversized antique clock has been strategically placed above the sink. This is one of the tricks of their trade. “Large statement pieces can open up a space and make it seem bigger,” Eli advised. In the same vein, door frames throughout the apartment have been painted darker shades to give the illusion of greater height and width.

Eli described the design for the apartment as 1945 Parisian-esque, combining antique

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pieces with modern furnishings and pops of vibrant colour to create a luxurious yet cosy feel. In the dining room, a Victorian-style crystal chandelier, which Okan made himself, hangs above a classic wooden table. Next to the window sits a pastel-coloured chaise lounge— the ideal spot to curl up with a book. In the living room, a series of collectable memory blocks by Canadian artist Sid Dickens hangs above a brown leather sofa. “We created that wall as a vision board—each tablet means something to us.” Aside from the artwork, Eli’s favourite part of the flat is the spiritual area he has put together in the living room. An emerald green chest from Mongolia is adorned with a traditional menorah and a handmade Turkish evil eye. “Even though we aren’t religious, we have Jewish, Muslim and Christian heritage and we like to celebrate this diverse culture.”

Despite experiencing countless ups and downs along the way, Eli and Okan’s hard work and perseverance has undoubtedly paid off. From the enviable architectural features to the stylish decor, they have managed to create their ideal home in a smaller space than they had initially envisioned. “Moving here was one of the best decisions we have made, we couldn’t be happier,” beamed Eli from the sun-drenched balcony, a cup of coffee in hand.

If you’ve made yourself an interesting home from home, please send an email to editorial@barcelona-metropolitan.com.

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HISTORY

SIGNS OF SEDUCTION Location: carrer deLs MiraLLers

REMNANTS OF A DISCREET CODE THAT ONCE MARKED THE CITY’S BROTHELS REMAIN HIDDEN IN CORNERS OF THE BORN

By Catherine Howley

A

s you stand on the corner of carrer dels Mirallers and carrer dels Vigatans and look up, the face of a woman carved in stone can be spotted protruding from the facade. At first glance her blank eyes, slightly shut, give the impression of a frightened stare, but upon closer inspection, her expression may be interpreted as one of intense pleasure—an interpretation more fitting to her purpose.

The stone figure is referred to locally as a ‘Carassa’, one of many to have been erected centuries ago throughout ciutat Vella. Usually depictions of satyrs or demons, Les carasses were used as discreet signage to indicate that there was a brothel in the vicinity.

Historically speaking, Barcelona has never been short of brothels. a port city since ancient times, towards the Middle ages the sex industry was in high demand due to all the sailors and foreigners who disembarked in the city. By the 15th century many brothels were not only tolerated, but protected by the city council, and buildings were leased to those who wished to use them as bordellos—the sex workers just had to pay a cut to the innkeepers and authorities, and were subjected to frequent health checks. Guards were employed to dispel any disputes that arose, but otherwise there was only one rule strictly enforced: prostitutes had to go into hiding during easter, as to not tempt the faithful into sin during Holy Week. in order to indicate the presence of a brothel, a code was established, with Les carasses being one of the only features to have survived until today. amongst the other signs were marking the numbers on brothel doors considerably larger than the other addresses on the street, painting the lower part of the facade bright red to indicate the sin of lust, or having lots of decorative plants covering the exterior. the use of sculpted faces like that of carrer dels Mirallers became a popular sign by the 17th century. After the Catalan revolt of 1640, when Castilian troops dominated the city, the figures allowed these newcomers to spot the local brothels with greater ease.

However it was not the buildings alone that needed to be identifiable. From the end of the Middle ages until the 17th century, sex workers were obliged to dress in a distinctive way, placing a scarf of bright colours above their skirt to delineate their trade.

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BEST OF

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO ORDER JUST ONE SCOOP AT BARCELONA’S BEST ICE CREAM SHOPS

GOCCI DI LATTE

Celebrating its fifth birthday this year, Gocce di Latte may not be the oldest ice cream parlour in Barcelona, but it can compete with the best. The shop’s small team bake fresh cinnamon rolls, crepes, cookies and waffles to pair with scoops of daring ice cream flavours such as pear with cinnamon and ginger, and dates with cardamom and orange. They even put funky twists on the standard chocolate, spinning it with lavender, and adding olive oil and sea salt to it. Refreshing mango or matcha green tea scoops are great if you drop in before heading to the beach—after all, it is right across the street.

Pla de Palau 4 FACEBOOK.COM/HELADERIAGOCCEDILATTE

El Tio Che

More than 100 years ago, El Tio Che began with a table on the street, a few batches of jarred horchata (tigernut milk), and Joan Pere calling out to potential customers, “xe, prova” (“Hey you, try this”). After moving to Barcelona from Alicante in 1912, Joan, his wife, Josefa, and their son started mixing up creamy concoctions in the same happy, familial environment the shop maintains today. Along with its classic, freshly-spun ice cream, the shop also sells bocadillos, tapas and speciality drinks such as granizado (icy lemonade). You might also be tempted to try the leche merengada (frozen cinnamon and lemon flavoured meringue), or the Cubanito with chocolate or dulce de leche. raMBla del PoBlenou 44-46 ELTIOCHE.ES

DELACREM

Owner and founder Massimo Pignata moved here from Italy, and we’re certainly glad he brought his skill of making quality gelato with him. The process from start to finish is important. Pignata arrives at the shop early each morning and whips up the most popular flavours: hazelnut, pistachio and strawberry Maresme, with strawberries sourced locally from the Catalan coast. In the summer, DelaCrem can produce more than 80 kilos of gelato on any given day, making new batches every other day to ensure only the freshest treats reach the mouths of loyal customers. enric Granados 15 DELACREM.CAT

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LA HELADERIA MEXICANA Although located in Barceloneta, this small ice cream joint will make you feel like you’ve been transported across the Atlantic. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by sombrero-topped calaveras (Mexican sugar skulls), a wall of crosses and the Mexican flag. The shop’s flavours continue the theme—the spicy chocolate and Mexican vanilla pack a punch. If you’re feeling a bit more daring, have a spoonful of the cannabis mint, champagne and strawberry, or tequila flavours. And if you need something savoury to offset the sweet, look no further. The shop has nachos, tacos and burritos— all vegan-friendly.

Mestrança 49 FACEBOOK.COM/LAHELADERIAMEXICANA.ES

Mannà Gelats

Decadent gelato is in the bloodline of the Ma de Lourdes and Carlos Teodoro families. For two centuries the partners have used tropical fruits such as guava, mango, papaya and passion fruit for crafting tasty sweets. Today, they serve up 24 different flavours, which rotate with the changing seasons. Throughout the year, the shop’s team also runs a blog, with posts about everything from the cultivation of cacao to new flavour alerts and special events being hosted—such as when they sold ice cream cookbooks for Sant Jordi this year. The folks at Mannà Gelats are known for their welcoming demeanour and joyful work ethic, proving daily that their saying ‘Paradise is Gelats!’ is true.

Banys nous 22 MANNAGELATS.COM

Swiit

Tucked away behind the city’s Roman walls, this ice cream shop used to be a printer’s workshop. Today, it’s run by husband and wife team Giovanni and Tracy, who moved to Barcelona in 2009. The duo serve up gelato made from organic milk and cream, as well as coffee and baked goods. Their favourite flavours include the hazelnut, whose ingredients are shipped directly from Italy, and the mascarpone fig, a rich treat with just the right balance of citrus fruitiness and creaminess.

Baixada de Viladecols 2c SWIITBARCELONA.COM

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POOL RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE Located in the hotel’s main pool,

Fairmont Rey Juan Carlos I

Pool Restaurant and Lounge offers

Barcelona 08028

Av. Diagonal 661-671

an informal Southern Mediterranean fusion menu with a wide selection of drinks and Champagnes by Veuve Clicquot. Disconnect from the city by immersing yourself in this urban

THE RESTAURANT: Saturday - Sunday 12.30am - 4pm THE LOUNGE:

resort atmosphere.

Everyday 10am - 8pm

For inquiries and bookings, please call or email our restaurant reservations department. +34 93 364 4040 bcn.restaurants@fairmont.com www.fairmont.com/barcelona/

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Entrance for non-guests (VAT included) Adults | 25€ Child 2-12 years of age | 10€ Sunbed reservations not accepted.

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SHOPPING

Life in colour

DRESS €140 MED WINDS Elisabets 7

SOAP €14 SABATER HNOS. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri 1

BIKINI €90 HELSBCN Pg. de Picasso 36

TAKE ON SUMMER WITH ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW MAP €12 WALK WITH ME walkwithme.es

LAMP €140 ELRECIBIDOR Viladomat 9

SLEEPING BAG €79 OMG BCN Plaça de la Llana 7

SKATEBOARD DECK €65 AL CARRER SKATE Tantarantana 2

BOARD SHORTS €65 LOREAK MENDIAN Duc 9

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REPORT

ZOOTOPIA

A RADICAL PROPOSAL BY THE ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST GROUP ZOO XXI IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON BARCELONA ZOO TO EVOLVE

By Sally Hargrave. Photos by Lewis Gregory

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t’s a Saturday morning, and excitable children, sullen teenagers and stressed parents are streaming through the gates of Barcelona Zoo. So begins a typical day at one of the city’s oldest public institutions. For 125 years, the zoo has been a fundamental establishment in Barcelona for tourists and locals alike, evolving from a small, private collection into a modern zoo with more than 2,000 animals. Yet as global attitudes towards zoos change, and animal rights activists pile on the pressure, Barcelona Zoo is once again being forced to evolve with the times.

The zoo traces its roots back to 1892, when the wealthy entrepreneur Lluís Martí-Codolar offered his assortment of exotic animals to the Ajuntament. It was decided that the collection, which included among other animals a zebra, a giraffe and even an elephant, would be housed in Parc de la Ciutadella, the former citadel that had been redesigned as a park. Barcelona Zoo was opened to the public that same year for la Mercè. It wasn’t until 1927, however, that the zoo began to charge admission—the funds raised from the 25-cent entrance fee surpassed expectations and the zoo was able to gradually expand its collection and improve facilities. This growth was halted and reversed as Spain was plunged into civil war in 1936. Massive food shortages meant that many of the zoo’s animals starved, while airstrikes carried out by Nationalist forces killed more still. By the end of the Civil War, only 300 animals remained. This undoubtedly marked the lowest point in the zoo’s extensive history, and it wasn’t until the Fifties, under the leadership of Antoni Jonch i Cuspinera, that it began to recover.

Today, Barcelona Zoo is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing in more than a million visitors in 2015, according to a study carried out by Barcelona Turisme. But while

tourists and locals of all ages continue to flood in, the position of zoos in society has become the subject of intense debate around the world. “We are in a crisis period of sorts—people are beginning to question whether zoos should exist at all,” explained Rafael Cebrian López, coordinator of Barcelona Zoo’s research and conservation programmes. Indeed, just a quick Google search of the words ‘anti’ and ‘zoo’ pulls up millions of results and a score of articles by animal rights activist groups such as PETA, damning the cramped and inhumane conditions of zoos worldwide.

One such animal rights activist group is based right here in Barcelona. Zoo XXI is an extensive organisation, made up of 35 subgroups, all working towards the same goal—to create zoos fit for the 21st century by calling on all zoos to restructure their habitats in order to become more ethical. The group began nine years ago with a campaign aiming to free Susi, an elephant at Barcelona Zoo. Susi was suffering from depression after her companion died, leaving her all alone in an enclosure. “In our minds, the zoo reacted selfishly to Susi’s plight,” said Leonardo Anselmi, the director of southern Europe and Latin America for the Fondation Franz Weber, a foundation campaigning for animal rights that has been heavily involved in Zoo XXI’s efforts.

“Rather than sending her to a sanctuary where she could live out her days in relative freedom, the zoo instead acquired more elephants and crammed them into the same space,” continued Anselmi. Frustrated and disillusioned, Zoo XXI began to draft a proposal for the changes that it wanted to see at Barcelona Zoo. Its proposal marks the first iniciativa ciudadana (civic initiative) in Barcelona, with 14,000 signatures needed from the residents of Barcelona for the Ajuntament to consider it.

To create its plan of action, the team behind Zoo XXI first

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carried out a comprehensive study of 93 zoos that had shut in the past 40 years. “We discovered that closing the zoos was the worst scenario for the animals,” explained Anselmi.

According to the study, some of these animals were simply relocated to other zoos, some were sent to circuses, and the unluckiest were acquired by exotic restaurants. Zoo XXI’s proposal therefore is not to close down Barcelona Zoo, but to drastically improve conditions. “We believe that currently, zoos are largely commercial, exhibitionist and colonialist,” said Anselmi. “Instead of exploiting animals and their natural habitats, we want zoos to be at the service of them.”

"We are waging war against the commercial, colonial viewpoint of zoos. Barcelona is just the first battle"

But what does this improvement of conditions entail?

Rather than simply enlarging enclosures, which they believe would be expanding on a flawed system, Zoo XXI wants enclosures to be adapted towards each animal’s needs, providing privacy from the constant stream of spectators. “At the moment, the enclosures in the zoo are geared towards humans, with no place for the animals to hide,” said Anselmi.

Ultimately, it’s about creating a culture of respect for the animals and their habitats. This culture of respect would also see an end to novelties like the zoo train as well as concerts and weddings held on zoo grounds.

Another study carried out by Zoo XXI, found that in 2013 54.48 percent of the animals in Barcelona Zoo were not endangered. The group’s end goal is for the zoo to house solely endangered species, particularly local ones, as part of conservation programmes. Zoo XXI also proposes a move away from ex-situ conservation (protecting endangered species outside of their natural habitat), in favour of in-situ conservation (conservation carried out in natural habitats), so as to avoid difficulties in reintroducing species back into their natural habitats. The group wants to see the reproduction of animals inside the zoo halted to avoid animals living in captivity when it isn’t necessary. And they also strongly opposed the practice of culling animals. Whenever possible, Zoo XXI would see animals captive in Barcelona Zoo sent to sanctuaries where they could have greater freedom, and interactive, virtual reality exhibits take the place of enclosures, allowing visitors to experience animals in their proper environments. And in Barcelona, Zoo XXI aims to create a benchmark for other zoos around the world. “We are waging war against the commercial, colonial viewpoint of zoos,” said Anselmi. “Barcelona is just the first battle.”

It is hardly surprising that Rafael Cebrian López sheds a somewhat different light on Barcelona Zoo. “Zoos are vitally important in today’s society as nuclei for preventing animals from extinction,” he argued, citing the tritón del Montseny as an example. This newt, endemic to Catalunya, is only found in the rivers of the Montseny mountain range, north of Barcelona.

Only 1,500 of these amphibians existed when they were discovered. “It's our responsibility at Barcelona Zoo to take care of the newts in the seven rivers where they are found,

Rafael Cebrian López, coordinator of Barcelona Zoo's research and conservation programmes

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Photo by Lewis Gregory

MEET THE HERD Barcelona Zoo is home to around 2,000 animals from more than 300 different species. Get to know some of the most unusual with our fact file

PYGMY HIPPOPOTAMUS

but also to fertilise eggs outside of their natural habitat,” he explained. The zoo receives €300,000 a year from the government for research and conservation, channelling this income into different projects in collaboration with nongovernmental organisations, local universities and other zoos.

This money is also used for various grants, with 50 percent of the grants given from 2009 to 2016 going towards projects focusing on species endemic to Catalunya.

Yet Cebrian recognises the changes that Barcelona Zoo must make, standing as a testament to his genuine respect for the animals he works with. “We need to dedicate more space to endangered animals as opposed to animals that draw in visitors,” he said. At the end of 2016, the zoo took a step in that direction with the closure of its dolphinarium, which no longer complied with the European Association for Aquatic Animals’ (EEAM) requirements. “That was the right decision,” said Cebrian. “The delfinario was 60 years old, and simply wasn’t adequate.” Unfortunately, dolphins born into captivity cannot be released back into the wild, so the six cetaceans that were living in Barcelona are now being relocated to other establishments with better conditions.

Ultimately however, Cebrian finds the claims by animal rights activist groups—that the zoo is backwards—frustrating.

“They are fighting for an increase in conservation, research and education at the zoo, yet these three aspects are already the pillars of its ideology,” he contended. Perhaps he is correct, and the aims of these animal rights activist groups and the zoo itself are not so far removed after all. Certainly, Barcelona Zoo still has some way to go before it can truly declare itself a 21st century zoo and Zoo XXI’s iniciativa ciudadana may be the push it needs to help reach that goal.

Choeropsis liberiensis Risk level: Endangered At first glance, pygmy hippopotamuses look much like miniature versions of their full-sized counterparts. These herbivorous mammals rarely weigh more than 250 kilogrammes—roughly the same size as a domestic pig and about one-sixth of the weight of a common hippo. Pygmy hippos are far more solitary than other hippos, spending most of their days hidden in rivers before emerging at nightfall to feed. There are thought to be less than 2,000 left in the wild due to human hunting and deforestation, which destroys their natural habitat. Barcelona Zoo is home to two pygmy hippos—a male called Nuru and a female called Kilima.

DORCAS GAZELLE Gazella dorcas osiris Risk level: Vulnerable Adapted to live in one of the driest habitats in the world, the Sahara, this gazelle survives by drawing water from acacia leaves and other plants. Barcelona Zoo is involved in a Europe-wide conservation programme aiming to reintroduce a subspecies of this gazelle, the gazella dorcas neglecta, back into its native Senegal, where it's currently severely endangered because of hunting by nomadic populations in the region. Six of the zoo’s gazelles have already been sent to the Ferlo Nord Wildlife Reserve, a protected area of more than 6,000 square kilometres in Senegal.

RED PANDA Ailurus fulgens Risk level: Endangered Native to the bamboo forests of the Himalayas, northern Myanmar and southern China, these tree-dwelling mammals, known in China as ‘fire foxes’, have proven somewhat of an enigma for taxonomists. Originally thought to be members of the panda family (as their name suggests), red pandas were recently reclassified in a family of their own—the Ailuridae. In the wild, red pandas hide from predators like leopards by climbing trees and camouflaging themselves against red lichen and mosses. Nepalie and her daughter Tibet are the zoo’s two resident red pandas.

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IT’S ALL GREEK PERFORMING ARTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE GREC FESTIVAL DE BARCELONA

T

he city’s focus turns to the world of performance throughout the month of July as the Grec Festival de Barcelona returns for its 41st edition. ‘El Grec’, as it’s known by most locals, encompasses music, theatre, circus and dance, and transforms Barcelona into a global reference point for the arts, with local talent performing alongside more international productions.

El Grec gets its name from the original venue chosen for the festival when it began in 1976. The Teatre Grec is an open-air theatre built for the Barcelona International Exposition in 1929 on the site of a disused quarry on Montjuïc. From its beginnings in the immediate aftermath of Franco’s death until now, the festival has grown steadily, with more than 30 locations across the city taking part this year. However, year in and year out, the Teatre Grec has remained the festival’s focal point.

This year’s programme features a total of 102 different shows, 27 of which are premieres. Highlights include the Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger, performing its spellbinding acrobatics once again at the festival, this time in a brand new show titled Halka, which explores the role of women in North African societies through the medium of traditional Moroccan acrobatics. Meanwhile, music lovers can enjoy show tunes accompanied by a symphony orchestra at the Nit de Musicals. And in an altogether riskier affair, the Barcelonés dancer, and winner of the 2005 Catalan National Prize for Dance, Marta Carrasco, will star in ‘Perra de nadie’, a choreographed production that brings together horror and comedy.

A number of the artists performing over the course of the month, as well as Cesc Casadesús i Calvó, El Grec’s director, will also give talks exploring their shows in greater depth at El Grec i les Biblioteques. Another parallel event, Grec_creació, will host workshops geared towards the city’s thespians, and supports and promotes local artists doing residencies in the city. And Grec_Activitats presents a lineup of alternative activities taking place during the festival, including open-air film screenings and a reading of the Catalan poet Josep Palau i Fabre’s work.

For more information on this year’s programme and how to buy tickets, visit lameva.barcelona.cat/grec.

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ONE MAN’S

TRASH BARCELONA IS FULL OF CREATIVES TURNING TYPICAL WASTE INTO TREASURED PRODUCTS

By Elizabeth Hlavinka. Photos by Lewis Gregory

O

ld newspapers line the kitchen counter where Cecilia Vietto and Fabián Andino chop vegetables on a cutting board made from repurposed wood. Their bedroom is lit by a lamp whose shade is composed of old VHS tapes, the unravelled strips of film swaying in the breeze from the open window. The terrace is equally as eclectic: a family of succulents sprouts from an old bathtub and a few broken down shopping carts compose a barbecue pit.

It’s a house made entirely of things its owners have picked up off the street. To some they may be waste or trash, but to Cecilia and Fabián the items are raw materials with potential to become something else—something more useful, valuable and specifically designed for their home. To them, upcycling isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life.

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is when products destined for the dump are redesigned to serve a better purpose. Not to be confused with recycling, upcycling is a relatively new term and has gained popularity over the past decade. The second half of the recycling process, downcycling, extracts recyclable parts and uses them to make new products of lower quality. This often takes energy, can produce harmful emissions and wastes unrecyclable elements of products. Upcycling, on the other hand, preserves the product and repurposes 100 percent of its materials.

At Cecilia and Fabián’s studio, Espaibuenrollo, they sell notebooks, photo albums and lamps, as well as mounted skateboards, planters and other interior design elements. Espaibuenrollo opened in 2007, after the couple moved to Barcelona from Rosário, Argentina, but living sustainably has always been a priority for them. Cecilia admitted that what they do in their shop alone doesn’t make a huge impact on the world, but they are contributing to the bigger picture. “We’re not a big corporation that influences a lot of people’s lives on a daily basis,” she said. “We have small-scale ideas, but even these can make others more conscious and are important for the future.” Cecilia and Fabián specialise in upcycling paper and cloth waste but any material can be upcycled.

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At her shop Lucirmás, Lucia Bruni makes her merchandise from repurposed glass. Lucia and her partner Marta receive up to 50 used bottles from neighbouring restaurants each week. Lucia designs each product, sketching endless drafts of cutlery, lamps, coat hangers and candleholders.

Sometimes, she searches in bins herself for glass of the size, colour and thickness required for a new vision. After freezing, cutting and colouring the glass, Lucia’s products are ready to be sold.

When Lucia began creating her products in 2006, upcycling wasn’t valued like it is today. People were wary about paying artisan prices for objects they deemed trash. “When I first started out, no one was producing things like this,” she said. “People’s reception of this type of product here in Spain was slow. And even though my pieces have as much aesthetic as anything you could find at Zara Home, for example, some don’t value the work as such.”

Lucia also refers to upcycling as ‘super-recycling’ and finds pleasure in creating beautiful yet practical designs. She hopes that her work will not only save things from being thrown away unnecessarily, but that she can encourage others to look at waste in a more creative, sustainable way. “I want to inspire people to see things in a new light,” she said, “and to do the same as me in their own homes. The idea is to take better care of the objects that we have and to stop being so quick to replace them the moment they lose their store-bought sheen.”

Spreading awareness and more sustainable practices is the goal of many upcyclers. At their architecture and design studio Transfodesign, co-founders Faku Uzal and Nada Tozija offer speciality furniture and accessories. Nada’s sister Neda, who joined Transfodesign in 2012 and is in charge of all marketing and commercial activities, said the group focuses on interior design in order to demonstrate how individuals can introduce more sustainability into their daily lives.

Their best-selling product is a sofa shaped like a fridge and actually made from a repurposed refrigerator—what was once its interior now serves as the seat of the couch. The idea surfaced when the refrigerator in the old Transfodesign studio broke and the team wanted to dispose of it properly.

UPCYCLING COURSES Upcycling Barcelona. upcyclingbarcelona.com Diputació 356 €60 per month (4 classes of 2 hours) TransfoLAB BCN. transfolabbcn.com Ciutat de Granada 71 €15-€35 per workshop Joyas en upcycling. meetup.com Portal Nou 16 Bajo €18 per class

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Clockwise from top Lucia Bruni of Lucirmás, Ignasi Villena and David Estevan of Dr. Únic, Cecilia Vietto and Fabián Andino of Espaibuenrollo, and Faku Uzal of Transfodesign

“The idea is to stop being so quick to replace the objects that we have the moment they lose their store-bought sheen” Since fridges are constructed with a lot of composite materials, they are reusable, not recyclable, so they had to find a different way to give it a second life. This is one of many instances that they relied on design as a problem solving tool.

To promote their belief that every problem can be either defined or solved through an eco-design approach, Faku, Nada and Neda participate in events and fairs such as PechaKucha Barcelona

(where young designers meet, network and exhibit their work to the public), Barcelona Design Week and The Brandery (the Barcelona fashion and trend festival held in the city since 2009). Since the start of 2015, their focus has shifted to launching and promoting the new TransfoLAB BCN, where the magic of product transformation happens. TransfoLAB is a 300m2 space dedicated to design, innovation, creation and experimentation with waste.

For partners Ignasi Villena and David Estevan, the pairing of seemingly futile materials with household products brings them the most satisfaction. At their studio, Dr. Únic, they construct mirrors out of tennis rackets, lamps out of faucets and candleholders out of copper tubing. The name Dr. Únic accurately emphasises the distinctness of each product. Although they make dozens of lamps out of taps, for example, each tap is uniquely shaped, coloured and sized—each has its own history.

“We think of ourselves as doctors who have the cure for neglect and abandonment,” said Ignasi. “If you consider that the products are sick, we give them the love and attention they need to again be valuable. We are open to sharing this philosophy with others because at the end of the day, seeing people lead more sustainable lifestyles would give us the most satisfaction.”

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WHAT’S ON

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music LOVE THE 90’S

VENGABOYS. PALAU SANT JORDI. PG. OLÍMPIC 5-7. JULY 7TH. Bodysuits and chokers at the ready. Take a trip down memory lane as Nineties band Vengaboys remind you why we all need a bit of Eurodance in our lives. Best known for their hit singles ‘We Like to Party’ and ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!’—the latter of which topped charts in the UK—the outlandish yet amusing Dutch pop quartet will bring their catchy dance tracks to the city’s Love the 90’s festival this month. The group began in 1996 as the brainchild of Dutch producers Danski and Delmundo, who initially found success organising illegal beach parties in Spain during the summer months. “To be honest, this all started as a bit of a joke, really. We never thought, ‘Let’s form a band and conquer the world’,” mused Robin Pors, one of the original members of the group. Possibly the longest running joke ever, the Vengabus is still coming, packed with disco balls, streamers and lashings of glitter. So what are you waiting for? Climb aboard because we’re going to Ibiza. palausantjordi.cat

MESMERIC POP

AIR. JARDINS DE PEDRALBES. DIAGONAL 686. JULY 10TH. Air continue to master their collection of antique synths and instruments, merging hypnotic, sonorous melodies with their soft French voices to produce dream-inducing pop like no other. Their live shows boast spectacular light displays that complement their sound, engaging all the senses until the lights turn out. Around since 1995, the French duo’s big break came only three years later with the release of their debut album Moon Safari (1998), whose track ‘Sexy Boy’ became an international success.

Since then, the band has released seven more studio albums and has ventured into the world of film, providing soundtracks for movies including Swagger (2016), and Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation (2003) and The Virgin Suicides (1999).

The latter’s poignant visuals are enhanced by the orchestra-like compositions of the musical pair who, speaking to online publication Stereogum, described their contribution as the ‘musical spirit’ of the movie. The band’s most recent release is a double-disc greatest hits album and although fans may be disappointed that there is no new material to sink their teeth into, their Barcelona show will be a chance to hear some of their best work to date in the beautiful setting of the Jardins de Pedralbes. festivalpedralbes.com

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COVERING AN ICON

BONNIE ‘PRINCE’ BILLY. RAZZMATAZZ. PAMPLONA 88. JULY 17TH. A man of many names and talents, Will Oldham has released a plethora of records each filled with his endless musical genius. Under the guise of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy (possibly his most famous musical alter ego), the Kentucky-native has recorded an impressive 18 full-length studio albums since 2009. Taking influences from folk, bluegrass and country, Oldham has created an internationally renowned style. His latest release, Best Troubadour (2017), is a compilation of Merle Haggard covers, one of his musical icons. Oldham has clearly put time into choosing from Haggard’s extensive discography, producing a tracklist worthy of the musician who inspired so much of his work. His Razzmatazz show, however, will also take material from an earlier album, which Oldham recorded with Chicago-based band the Bitchin’ Bajas. The collaboration was born out of a one-off Record Store Day performance by the band and Oldham that led to the recording of the album Epic Jammers and Fortunate Little Ditties (2016). It’s a mix of jamming and improvisation, which culminates in a spaced-out sound, further softened by Oldham’s gentle vocals. On the night, spectators will be treated to a performance by Bitchin’ Bajas, followed by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s solo set and finished off with a collaboration of all four musicians. salarazzmatazz.com

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music

WITH OR WITHOUT YOU U2. ESTADI OLÍMPIC DE MONTJUÏC. PG. OLÍMPIC 15-17. JULY 18TH. The year was 1987 and U2 had just released their fifth album, The Joshua Tree. Few could have anticipated the record-breaking success the album would go on to achieve, selling more than 10 million copies and catapulting the band into the international spotlight. Indeed, such was the album’s success that 30 years later, the band is taking it back on a global tour. Supported by none other than Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, the Irish band will perform all 11 of The Joshua Tree’s aching anthems—exploring themes as wide-ranging as hope, humanity and the American dream.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bono explained the driving force behind the tour: “At first, it was just to honour this album that meant so much to us. It wasn’t any grand concept.” But as the idea started to develop further, the more relevant they realised it was. Now, with a few shows checked off, Bono said, “I know from reading reviews and hearing from people that we’ve done it without being nostalgic. It’s like the album has just come out. Nobody is talking about it as an historical thing.

People are talking about its relevance now.” Everyone seems to agree that while decades have passed, Bono and the boys still affect audiences the most when performing hits like ‘With or Without You’ and ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’. estadiolimpic.cat

FUTURISTIC FUNK JAMIROQUAI. PARC DEL FÒRUM. CARRER DE LA PAU 12. JULY 7TH. The news broke early this January that 2017 would mark the return of funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai following a seven year hiatus. The British duo, led by the charismatic voice of Jay Kay, released its new album on March 31st after being motivated to join the conversation about modern day issues. “The inspiration for Automation is based on a recognition of the rise of artificial intelligence and technology in our world today,” said Kay. “We humans are beginning to forget the more pleasant, simple and eloquent things in life and in our environment, including our personal relationships with one another.” With this message fuelling their fire, Jamiroquai are coming to Barcelona’s summer festival Cruïlla. A prominent component of the London-based funk and acid jazz movement in the early Nineties, the band remain a force to be reckoned with on the scene, as gigs in London earlier this year proved, where enthusiastic crowds were eager to welcome the duo back on stage.

Now, Jamiroquai’s signature style has hints of robotic sounds, reminiscent of Daft Punk, but fans shouldn’t feel too anxious—there are still plenty of funky textured tunes pumping from their sound system. cruillabarcelona.com

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IN CONCERT

5th. Machine Gun Kelly Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

6th. Sofia Ellar BARTS. Paral·lel 62.

6th. Mayte Martín Teatre Grec. Pg. de Santa Madrona s/n.

7th. Love the 90’s Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

7th. The Lumineers Parc del Fòrum. Carrer de la Pau 12.

7th. Jamiroquai Parc del Fòrum. Carrer de la Pau 12.

8th. Pet Shop Boys Parc del Fòrum. Carrer de la Pau 12.

9th. Foster The People Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

10th. Air Jardins de Pedralbes. Diagonal 686.

11th. Young People’s Chorus of New York City Palau de la Música. Palau de la Música 4-6.

11th. The Orwells Sidecar. Plaça Reial 7.

12th. Carla Morrison Palau de la Música. Palau de la Música 4-6.

13th. Bowie Symphonic – Blackstar in concert L’Auditori. Lepant 150.

17th. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

17th. Talib Kweli BARTS. Paral·lel 62.

18th. U2 Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc. Pg. Olímpic 15-17.

22nd. Chico Trujillo Sala Apolo. Nou de la Rambla 113.

26th. Beth Hart BARTS. Paral·lel 62.

27th. Nit de Musicals Teatre Grec. Pg. de Santa Madrona s/n.

28th. Imany Palau de la Música. Palau de la Música 4-6.

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art COLLECTIVE CONSERVATION MUESTREO #1. MACBA. PLAÇA DELS ÀNGELS 1. UNTIL SEPTEMBER 22ND. Archived material acquired by the MACBA over time is given a place in the spotlight once again. Local and international artists alike share the stage in this documentary collection, which aims to take a closer look at performance art and the creative process. Yoko Ono, Hermann Nitsch, Allan Kaprow and other artists from different disciplines and contexts of creation will have pieces of their art showcased. ‘Muestreo #1’ proves that video clips of rehearsals, sketches and outlines of projects can be just as fascinating as the final piece. macba.cat

SPECTACULAR CRIME WEEGEE BY WEEGEE. FOTO COLECTANIA. PG. PICASSO 14. JULY 5TH-NOVEMBER 5TH.

Renowned photojournalist and freelance photographer Weegee began capturing New York City’s darkest moments in the Thirties and Forties, when the streets were rampant with crime. Self-taught, he stood out from his fellow reporters by being fearless in the face of uncertainty, and honing in on the ugly truth rather than turning his back on it. In 1938, he installed a police radio in his car, which threw his career into overdrive. In his biography, Weegee explained: “My car became my home. I kept everything there: an extra camera, flashlight bulbs, a typewriter, firefighter boots, cigar boxes, salami, infrared film to shoot in the dark, a change of underwear, uniforms, costumes [and more]. [...] Since then I was no longer attached to the Teletype at police headquarters. I had wings. I no longer had to wait for the crime to come to me; I could go after it.” With this approach, he was able to capture shocking images of arrests and crime scenes, turning violence and death into spectacle, and later selling them to leading newspapers.

Advertising and editorial assignments for magazines followed, including shoots for Life, and beginning in 1945, Vogue. Throughout his career Weegee divided his time and talent between the media and the fine arts communities, eventually earning respect from both. The exhibition at Foto Colectania presents a carefully chosen selection of his work, with images that range from unflinchingly realistic scenes of urban life to snapshots of domestic social events, such as a masked ball or the assortment of people at Coney Island beaches. fotocolectania.org

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REVIEW

PUTTING ON A SHOW

Tori Sparks visits the in-depth retrospective ‘David Bowie Is’ at the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona, curated by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The exhibition has been on a worldwide tour since its inception in 2013. Until September 25th

D

avid Bowie is…many things, to many people. He was indisputably one of the most influential figures of popular culture in the last half century. As a result, it would be an enormous challenge for any retrospective to encapsulate his career, which spanned five decades and encompassed many elements—music, film, theatre, design and beyond. Unprecedented access to the David Bowie Archive by V&A curators Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh, combined with intelligent use of advanced multimedia technology, has made possible the creation of a comprehensive audio and visual experience that is not just another art show, but more like a total immersion art installation.

Every visitor is handed a free audio guide, and recognisable tunes such as ‘Ziggy Stardust’, clips of interviews, mumbled narration and ambient noise follow you from room to room. The exhibition is rigged to feed your ears different sounds depending on what part of it you’re in, with the result that you feel as if you’re wandering through Bowie’s own memories of his career, instead of rooms in a museum.

The extraordinary exhibition focuses mainly on Bowie’s creative process, and his collaborations with various artists and designers. It demonstrates how the diversity of his work has both influenced and been influenced by wider movements in art, design, music and theatre, from Andy Warhol to Japanese Kabuki theatre and German art song.

Of the 300 items on display, many have never before been made available to the public.

The most visually impressive aspects of the exhibition are the 60+ pieces of original stage attire sported by Bowie-sized mannequins posing in front of mirrors or next to archived video footage. These include Kansai Yamamoto’s impossible-looking creations for the Aladdin Sane tour in 1973, and the Union Jack coat designed by Bowie and Alexander McQueen for the Earthling album cover in 1997.

Also on display are photos (by Brian Duffy, Terry O’Neill and others), album sleeve artwork (by Guy Peellaert and Edward Bell), cover proofs, journal entries, hand-drawn sketches, lyrics and notes, his saxophone and his guitar, alongside excerpts from films, interviews and music videos.

What is missing from the exhibition is as interesting as what is included. Absent are any details about Bowie’s personal life after his teenage years, but this doesn’t mean that the exhibition feels impersonal; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. Tucked in quietly among the flashy platform boots and the movie props are everyday items such as Bowie’s own set of keys from his flat in Berlin, items that almost take you by surprise in their unfamiliar familiarity. You leave the exhibition with a sense that you almost knew the man.

The exhibition ends, in typical Bowie style, with a spectacle: multiple levels of life-size mannequins showing off original costumes from all phases of Bowie’s career fade in and out of view with the flashing of lights and the larger-than-life projections of archived concert footage. The ultimate effect would almost be sensory overload, except that it is executed with such elegance and attention to detail.

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art POETIC PHOTOGRAPHY DUANE MICHALS. FUNDACIÓ MAPFRE. DIPUTACIÓ 250. UNTIL SEPTEMBER 10TH. Curated by Erica Veganó, this show is a retrospective of American avant-garde photographer Duane Michals’ work. Aged 84, Michals continues to take photographs and adapt the practice to his vision. From the beginning of his career, he never intended to document fact or ‘truth’, but to deal with metaphysical aspects of life. This exhibition pays tribute to his innovation in the field, displaying his photographs in chronological order to reveal distinct styles and phases of his career. Although the style of the images themselves has changed, Michals has always strived to create a storyline through a series of photos rather than telling the whole tale in a singular shot. He blurs the line between photography and other disciplines, such as poetry. His subject matter has remained the same as well, often portraying places and figures in black and white as a way to communicate with the viewer. fundacionmapfre.org

MULTIMEDIA ILLUSIONS TONY OURSLER: L7-L5. IMPONDERABLE. CAIXAFORUM. FRANCESC FERRER I GUÀRDIA 6-8. UNTIL SEPTEMBER 3RD. Tony Oursler doesn’t shy away from subject matter that is inexplicable and at times, disturbing—from occult phenomena and telekinesis to the paranormal. This experiential video installation bridges the artist’s first and latest projects through a theme of supernatural beliefs. As an act of media exploration, ‘L7-L5’ pushed the boundaries in 1984 by combining video with sculpture and illustration as a way to present these macabre topics in a multidimensional way.

‘Imponderable’ (2015-16) is a continuation of the idea that not everything we see is real. Oursler questions society’s relationship with media, images and spiritual beliefs within the realms of mysticism, psychedelia and popular culture, and portrays his findings in a full-length 5-D film accompanied by sensory experiences such as vibrations and scents. obrasocial.lacaixa.es

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EXHIBITIONS

OPENINGS LA VIRREINA CENTRE DE LA IMATGE 155. La Balada de Simón Through drawings, maps and documents, artist Gonzalo Elvira reconstructs the life of Simón Radowitzky, the militant Ukrainian Argentine worker and anarchist. Following the brutal police repression during Red Week in Buenos Aires in 1909, Radowitzky attacked the chief of police who was responsible, and was sentenced to life imprisonment in the notorious Ushuaia Prison.

Opening July 7th. La Rambla 99.

EL BORN CENTRE CULTURAL I MEMÒRIA Born Claimed (1971-2001) The Born Cultural Centre has a rich history as a marketplace and cultural cornerstone in the community, though it hasn’t always received recognition as such. ‘Born Claimed’ is a display of graphics featuring its evolution over these prominent years between 1971 and 2001.

Opening July 11th. Plaça Comercial 12.

LAST CHANCE MNAC Pere Torné Esquius The Barcelona native’s signature style is on display in this exhibition honouring his simplistic and humble approach. Torné’s extensive body of work ranges from illustrations and paintings to cartoons.

Until July 9th. Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc.

LA PEDRERA Frederic Amat: Zoòtrop A multi-sensory exhibition that interacts with the space of Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece, La Pedrera. The artist explores urban and natural landscapes through drawings, paintings, sculpture and audio-visual mediums.

Until July 16th. Pg. de Gràcia 92.

GALERIA JOAN PRATS Jordi Alcazar With these 20 pieces of art never before exhibited, Jordi Alcaraz transcends the traditional categories of painting, sculpture and drawing to reflect on the notion of volume, language as an idea, and the passage of time. Until July 26th. Balmes 54.

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misc PARTY IN THE STREET FESTA MAJOR DE POBLE-SEC. POBLE-SEC NEIGHBOURHOOD. JULY 14TH-23RD. With nine days of activities, this is one of Barcelona’s longest neighbourhood summer parties. The usual castellers, correfoc and Sardana dancing—the makings of any good Catalan street party—will all be present.

Poble-sec residents are proud of their hospitality, and the welcoming nature of the festa draws people from all over the city. Stretching from Paral•lel to Montjuïc, with the iconic La Molina in between, this district is home to many legendary theatres. As performing arts make up a large part of the area’s identity, the festival’s events emphasise live music and theatrical productions. Organisers aim to highlight local talent and celebrate Poble-sec’s spunky personality through concerts, food and family fun. The festivities typically begin at 8pm outside the civic centre in Plaça del Sortidor. guia.barcelona.cat

ROYAL VIEWING SALA MONTJUÏC. CASTELL DE MONTJUÏC. UNTIL AUGUST 4TH. You’ve never seen Hollywood quite like this. Head to the top of Montjuïc, to this open-air cinema set up on the lawn of Montjuïc Castle, and watch your favourite stars in the most magical setting.

Whereas the Cinema Lliure a la Platja focuses on independent films, this series will screen recent releases such as Spotlight (2015), The Revenant (2015), The Hateful Eight (2015) and La La Land (2016). Additionally, several older classics such as The Apartment (1960), which won Best Picture at the 33rd Academy Awards, and Manhattan (1979), starring big names such as Woody Allen, Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep, will be shown throughout the month, and the series will conclude with a surprise screening selected by the organisers. Before each screening begins at 10pm, local bands will play to the crowds, beginning at 8.45pm.

If you want to check out some of the area’s breathtaking views, you can also purchase a tour of Castell de Montjuïc along with the screening for €10. Afterwards, FX Animation - Barcelona 3D & Film School will host discussions of the films for those still reeling from the action. Tickets to individual screenings are €6. salamontjuic.org

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SOUND WAVES MATINÉE SUMMER FESTIVAL. ILLA FANTASIA. FINCA MAS BRASSÓ, S/N. JULY 9TH. Dozens of music festivals are held in Barcelona throughout the summer, but only one stands out for its wet and wild venue. Illa Fantasia is the largest waterpark in the province of Barcelona, with more than 22 slides, three big pools and a picnic area, and it’ll host the ninth annual edition of Matinée Summer Festival. Although located outside of the city, in Vilassar de Dalt, you can drive or take the C-3/4 bus from Ronda de la Universitat.

This year, DJs Flavio Zarza, Lydia Sanz, Taito Tikaro, Dario Nuñez and Andre Vicenzzo will be joined by a performance from Barcelona-based vocalist and musical producer Estela Martin for 12 hours of nonstop music.

If you fancy a siesta between sets, the waterpark is also equipped with rest zones, as well as miniature golf, bars and restaurants to take a break from the bumping bass. The festival begins at 10am. Tickets, which include two drinks, cost €43.40 at the door. 2011.matineegroup.com

A NTO NI O S E G UR A IMMIGRATION EXPERTS

BEACH BLOCKBUSTERS CINEMA LLIURE A LA PLATJA. CITY BEACHES. UNTIL AUGUST 3RD. Join other film fans at one of these sandy screenings as part of the fifth edition of the Cinema Lliure a la Platja series. Seven independent films—hand-picked from this year’s global film festivals—will be screened, including pictures from Spain, France, the Netherlands and the US. The seventh and final film will be selected by the public. As the sun sets, a short chosen by the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival will be shown, followed by live music, and finally the feature film, which begins at 9pm.

With numbers reaching upwards of 30,000 attendees last year, 2017’s screenings are expected to have an even larger turnout with the addition of a family section, where animated film Ma vie de Courgette (My Life as a Courgette) will be shown on July 16th, 24th and 28th. cinemalliure.com

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ANTONIO SEGURA ABOGADOS & GESTORES is a well known law firm specialising in immigration law. The firm has been practicing for over 20 years, and is regarded as one of the best immigration law offices in Barcelona.

We provide different legal services including obtaining NIE numbers, student cards, work permits, and residency in Spain.

Antonio Seguras.indd 1

Rambla Catalunya 43, ppal. 1, Barcelona 08007 T. +34 93 215 8077 abogados@antoniosegura.es www.segura-abogados.com

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WEEGEE BY WEEGEE The Weegee exhibition opens, presenting a careful selection of photographs structured around the artist’s books and press publications.

Fundació Foto Colectania.

Until November 5th.

ROSANA Spanish singer Rosana Arbelo returns to Barcelona to perform her latest release, En la memoria de la piel (2016). 10pm. Jardins Palau Reial Pedralbes.

HOSPITALITY LEADERS WEEK Throughout the week, a series of workshops and lectures about the hospitality industry will be hosted for students. School of Tourism and Hospitality Management Sant Ignasi.

Until July 7th.

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ACID ARAB Catch this duo’s electronic performance of their new album Musique de France (2016).

8pm. Sala Apolo.

TUE SDAY

3

JAMIROQUAI (7TH)

MONDAY

JULY 2017

THIS MONTH

ELS VESPRES This series of outdoor concerts takes place in the cool garden of the University of Barcelona. 9pm. Jardí Ferran Soldevila. Until July 21st.

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Known for his emblematic cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, the pop singer makes a stop in Barcelona as part of his world tour. 10pm. Jardins Palau Reial Pedralbes.

5

WED NE SDAY

O SISTER! Join these masters of musical and vocal spectacle in this tribute to American popular music of the Twenties and Thirties, specifically jazz and swing. 8pm. Jamboree.

JIMMY CLASH Formerly known as Royal Flavour, the Dutch DJ and producer brings his house music to the city.

10pm. Pacha.

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T HURSDA Y

JAMIROQUAI 2017 marks the return of the British funk and acid jazz band following a seven year hiatus.

8pm. Parc del Fòrum.

FESTIVAL CRUÏLLA Two Door Cinema Club, The Lumineers, Pet Shop Boys and Ryan Adams are among those headlining this festival by the sea. Parc del Fòrum. Until July 9th.

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FRIDAY

PET SHOP BOYS The pop art geniuses perform on the Cruïlla stage for their debut in Catalunya. 9pm. Parc del Fòrum.

RÖYKSOPP Kings of the Scandinavian electronica scene, the dance duo from Tromsø, Norway head to Barcelona.

1am. Razzmatazz.

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FOSTER THE PEOPLE These indie rock stars will come straight from their performance at the Mad Cool Festival in Madrid.

7pm. Razzmatazz.

MATINÉE SUMMER FESTIVAL DJs such as Taito Tikaro, Flavio Zarza and Lydia Sanz bring 12 hours of nonstop music to the waterpark.

10am. Illa Fantasia.

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ANTONI TÀPIES: OBJECTS See the result of Tàpies’ increased focus on objects in the late Sixties.

Fundació Antoni Tàpies.

Until January 2018.

BRUNCH IN THE PARK If you enjoyed Brunch in the City, grab your season passes to this festival series in the park.

12pm. Jardines de Joan Brossa.

Until September 2nd.

MUESTREO #1 This multidisciplinary exhibition features photography, audiovisual installations and music from the MACBA archives. MACBA. Until September 22nd.

2 GREC FESTIVAL Enjoy more than 130 performances of dance, music, theatre and circus.

Teatre Grec. Until July 31st.

SUN DAY

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SAT URDAY

Cinema Lliure a la Platja (June 29 - Aug 03)

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ENABLERS This punk band from San Francisco will be accompanied by the poetry of Pete Simonelli. 8pm. El Pumarejo.

CICLE DE MESTRES DEL JAZZ A session dedicated to the great maestros who have left their mark on this musical style. 8.30pm. JazzSí Club Taller de Músics.

SALA MONTJUÏC: MUSTANG Watch this film about the protest against an oppressive patriarchal society at one of Barcelona’s best outdoor cinemas.

10.15pm. Castell de Montjuïc.

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BORN: MEMORIES OF A MARKET Forty-five years since the Born market closed, this photographic exhibition aims to bring it back to life in the city’s collective memory.

El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria.

Until November 26th.

U2 The mythical rock band returns to the stage, commemorating 30 years of success with a performance of their fifth studio album ‘The Joshua Tree’.

7pm. Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc.

ENEMY OF CAGES Palau Robert’s newest exhibition is based on the archival material of professor, historian and critic Joaquim Molas. Palau Robert.

Until August 27th

ANIMALES SAGRADOS DEL ANTIGUO EGIPTO This exhibition explores the relationship between the animal world and pharaonic civilisation.

Museu Egipci de Barcelona.

Until September 29th.

FRUIT BELT Martin Llavaneras explores the notion of heritage through video and sculpture. Fundació Joan Miró.

Until September 11th.

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PROTOJE The contemporary reggae artist from Jamaica will put you in a good mood with his chill beats. 9pm. Sala Apolo.

BETH HART The American soul and blues singersongwriter shows off her strong, emotional tracks as part of the Grec Festival. 9pm. Sala Barts.

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JAM SESSION Learn more about jazz music and creativity with these funky workshops every Wednesday. 7.45pm. JazzSí Club Taller de Músics.

RUBÉN BLADES The 68-year-old Panamanian musician continues his farewell tour Caminando, Adiós y Gracias.

9pm. Poble Espanyol.

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ALLAN SEKULA: COLLECTION SISYPHUS (15TH)

PHOTOBOOK PHENOMENON Exploring the recent popularity of the photobook, this exhibition is the first of its kind put forth by key personalities within the genre.

CCCB. Until August 26th.

ALLAN SEKULA: COLLECTION SISYPHUS The artist’s first solo exhibition in Spain will feature work that analyses the impact of the maritime economy on globalisation. Fundació Antoni Tàpies. Until September 25th.

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MACBA COLLECTION 31 The MACBA’s ability to interact with the present is established here.

MACBA. Until August 26th.

This series of free, open-air concerts runs during the summer months in some of Barcelona’s loveliest parks.

10pm. Parc de la Ciutadella.

28 MÚSICA ALS PARCS

NORAH JONES As part of the Festival de Cap Roig the nine-time Grammy award winner performs songs from her stunning sixth studio album Day Breaks.

10pm. Jardí Botànic de Cap Roig.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Based on the idea of diverse and multiple cultures colliding, this exhibition features work of many different disciplines.

Tres Punts Galería. Until October 7th.

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INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EXHIBITION (29TH)

NOWA REGGAE Held just down the coast from Sitges, the 12th edition of this reggae festival features artists such as Julian Marley, Kabaka Pyramid and The Melodians.

Vilanova i la Geltrú. Until July 15th.

FESTA MAJOR DEL POBLE-SEC This nine-day festival includes traditional Catalan parades, human towers, dancing, free concerts and more. Poble-sec neighbourhood.

Until July 23rd.

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AKRAM ZAATARI An exhibition comes to the MACBA in which Akram Zaatari explores the multiple roles of the photograph.

MACBA. Until September 25th.

THE CRAB APPLES The Spanish pop band will dazzle Sitges with their musical evolution.

8pm. Sitges Market.

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DAVID BOWIE IS: ACCOMPANYING EVENTS Alongside the main exhibition, there is a series of activities taking place across the city related to David Bowie. Barcelona city centre.

Until August 24th.

ROBERTO FONSECA The great Cuban jazz pianist returns to Barcelona for a one-off concert not to be missed. 8pm. Jamboree.

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BARCELONA BEACH FESTIVAL It’s all about sun, sea and electronic music at the BBF one-day extravaganza, perfect for both locals and tourists wanting to make the most of the city’s summer festival calendar. Platja del Fòrum and Parc de la Pau.

BIG BANG OPEN MIC Show off your rock, blues or jazz skills during open mic night at this buzzing bar. 9pm. Big Bang Bar.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE BARCELONA-METROPOLITAN.COM

IL TROVATORE A four act opera full of tragedy and romance will be showing throughout the second half of July.

Liceu. Until July 29th.

FORENSIC ARCHITECTURE This exhibition explores issues of public truth, state propaganda and human rights abuses.

MACBA. Until October 15th.

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UTOPIA Based on the biography of a visionary figure, this production explores the concept of utopia as a driving force of social change.

9pm. Hiroshima.

ANNA MALAGRIDA: CRISTAL HOUSE In her new project, Malagrida draws upon text, photography and videos to carry out the attempted depletion of a place. Galería Senda. Until July 29th.

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ROGER HODGSON Best known as the former cofrontman and founding member of Supertramp, this progressive rockstar showcases his new solo material. 10pm. Jardins Palau Reial Pedralbes.

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AIR After reaching international fame in the Nineties, Air will deliver yet another legendary performance.

10pm. Jardins Palau Reial Pedralbes.

PHOTO FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE BENICÀSSIM The Weeknd, Foals and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will headline the 23rd edition of this pop-rock festival.

Benicàssim, Costa del Azahar.

Until July 16th.

PHOTO

RADAMENT Based in Barcelona, Radament puts on two special sets, the first dedicated to the piano-drummer duo and the second showcasing the group’s saxophone player.

8pm. JazzSí Club Taller de Músics.

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THE

ART OF

BOATBUILDING DONNCHADH TIERNAN INTERVIEWS DUBLINER MARK REDDEN, ARTIST AND BARCELONA’S ONLY MANUFACTURER OF CURRACHS Photos by Lewis Gregory

M

ark Redden builds boats. More specifically, he builds currachs—a millennia-old skin boat, chiefly associated with Ireland but whose origins may trace back further to the north of Spain, where the first Irish settlers are thought to have hailed from. Redden is Barcelona’s sole manufacturer/ proprietor of currachs. Apart from the dozens he has made for third parties over the years, the three which he has held onto reside in the Base Nàutica Municipal de la Mar Bella, on the beach, and see action on the Mediterranean at least a couple of times a week. One is green, one is white and one is orange, each colour representing a section of the Irish tricolour. Testament to Redden’s passion for the vessels, every March for the last nine years he has held an annual currach race as part of Barcelona’s St. Patrick festivities.

To build a currach is not simply to construct a vessel, but to take up a legacy. “The first currach in Ireland probably came from the north of Spain or western France,” explained Redden. “I believe the first settlers would have made their journey with livestock, on a boat made of animal skin that looked like a halved whale. They’re very whale-like, don’t you think? They’ve been in the west of Ireland from time immemorial, and there are different types of boats as you move up the coast. They’re all built a little bit differently to cope with

the changing conditions. They’ve been used to fish and transport goods. They’ve even been used as taxis to get to parties up on the next island.”

Despite his knowledge and passion for currachs, Redden is, above all, an artist. His physical frame alone undermines any notions I may have subconsciously gathered as to how an artist should look.

He is muscular in a way that no personal trainer could promise you in good conscience, unless the prescribed regime involved two decades of physical labour under sun, snow and rain. He is what in Ireland we call ‘farmer strong’, and his ethic has been hard-won. “I maintain a work ethic in art as in everything else. I got that from the boatbuilding, way back. And from my dad in the fruit market, which was an everyday grind.”

Redden originally hails from Dublin, where he studied sculpture at the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. From there he traversed the globe on a path heavily trod by Irish college graduates to Australia, and then to Tasmania. There he lived in a forest with another artist for three months, laying the groundwork for the artist he would become. “It hadn’t really dawned on me that you could be an artist until I met this guy. He put a lot of ideas in my head—that you could build your own house, live from the land and create as a living were among the most resonating.”

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Returning home a year later he took to rural Galway and practised solitude: “I lived in a cottage by myself, with a little studio, and worked for a boatbuilder who didn’t talk much. My youngest neighbours were 70.” More travels followed, most memorably a stint working on bronze sculptures with a perpetually drunken priest in northern Italy.

Entering Redden’s studio, located in an old factory, is a breathtaking experience. There’s a beautiful chaos to his space. It feels personal, like walking around someone’s soul. If I weren’t in his company, I would be an intruder. Redden’s policy with regard to his working area is “the bigger the space the more things you can fill it with”. When I asked him how important it is to be surrounded by his own work he replied, “That’s the idea: to build up such a body of work between the sculpture and the painting, dynamic shapes and colours, as to design my own language”.

I asked him what he would name his ‘language’. “Magic-realism, speaking in terms of literature,” he said. “Something like what Carlos Castaneda, the American author and godfather of the New Age movement, does—he puts you in a very imaginative world, where you can be convinced that magic exists. Through [my work] I’m trying to draw you into an inner world, so you can use your own imagination to interpret it.”

It is impossible to not get drawn in. Alone, his pieces might seem truly abstract, but collectively they form a syntax that unites them. The mammoth ‘Mother’s Love Spasm’, around which the room centres, seems to be a blood relative of ‘Strongbow’, the dog made of discarded boat material, who stands guard over Redden’s dreamworld at the door of the studio. Much of Redden’s work is wood sculpture—imitations of sealife constructed out of steamshaped wooden pieces that were once part of the currachs. The connections between them and the boats are not just physical but spiritual: “Channelling the tranquillity I get from going out to sea, I go back to the studio and let my brain go crazy.”

When I asked him why he settled in Barcelona, he made it sound simple: “The food was cheaper than in Dublin, and I could sell a few paintings.” Then it dawned on me that he doesn’t consider himself settled. If I hadn’t learned this from his words I could have garnered it from his chaotic, progressive and earnestly unfinished surroundings. Unfinished is, to me, the whole point. Redden will never be finished, and neither will the city of Barcelona as a lengthy stop-off for artists. Perhaps his stopover is conceivably lengthier because Barcelona is by the sea, and by the sea there are boats, and Mark Redden is a boatbuilder. Among other things.

To see more of Redden’s work, visit markredden.com.

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PHOTO ESSAY

Mercat de l’Abaceria, 2002

A BYGONE BARCELONA

GARETH LLOYD-EVANS HAS BEEN DOCUMENTING THE CITY’S STREET CHARACTERS FOR MORE THAN 17 YEARS

Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, 2001

46 Carrer de Puigmartí, 2001

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La Monumental, September 25, 2011

Platja de la Nova Icària, 2015

I

’ve worked as a professional photographer since the early Nineties and have been lucky enough to carry out a number of documentary projects, ranging from football supporters to car works.

I started taking this series of photos in 2000. I was living in the UK at the time, but spent three months a year in Barcelona. I stayed on Carrer de Puigmartí, with an old college friend, Greg. When I stepped out of his front door my grey world from the UK gave way to this street full of life. The street was next to the market in Gràcia, where young and old mingled, and specialised stalls sold just one product—an egg stall next to a milk stall and so on. It was like stepping back in time.

I wanted to capture this on black-and-white film, focusing on the people. In 2002, I held an exhibition of these images in the UK. In 2006, I relocated to Barcelona. Now I carry my black and white camera with me every day, but I leave home with no preconceived idea of what I’m going to shoot.

I just photograph what I see that day, merging the people and the landscape.

Barcelona has changed a lot over the years, as has everywhere. I do feel a lot has been lost, but also that I’m lucky to have seen it and been able to record its history.

Mercat de l’Abaceria, 2001

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BEYOND BARCELONETA THERE ARE PLENTY MORE BEACHES TO TRACK DOWN OUTSIDE THE CITY

By Aminah Barnes

W

hile many flock to Barcelona’s busy city beaches, some of the most enviable playas are a convenient train ride away. The neighbouring coastline is sprinkled with beckoning shores, extending from the wide beaches of the Maresme to the ‘Gold Coast’, otherwise known as the Costa Daurada. From picnicking in a secluded cove and admiring the natural landscape, to sipping sangria at a chiringuito and exploring charming nearby towns, you can’t go wrong. Barcelona’s well-connected transportation system makes it that much easier to reach spacious stretches of sand and clearer waters, away from the crowds and commotion of the city.

MALGRAT DE MAR Malgrat de Mar is a no-nonsense getaway, in the best possible sense. A quirky seaside resort with more than four kilometres of soft golden sand, it feels far removed from urban life, with no organised activities or obnoxious nightclubs. Instead, children of all ages can enjoy playgrounds on land and inflatable jungles floating on the water, and handy picnic tables and refreshment stalls make it more comfortable to spend the whole day there.

Tourism really began in the area in the Sixties, and today Malgrat de Mar is officially recognised by the Generalitat as a Family Holiday Destination.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - Malgrat de Mar. 1 hour 20 minutes.

CALELLA Holiday with the locals at the lively cosmopolitan beach of Platja de Garbí in Calella, around 50 kilometres north of Barcelona. The town of Calella has been accommodating Catalan families for more than 50 years, and the beach is well-equipped with leisure and recreational services as a result. It has dedicated space for beach football, beach volleyball and paddle, as well as yachts for hire. If you have a need for speed, you can also take a ride on a banana boat, or go water skiing or parasailing. Garbí Beach has continually received Blue Flag status since 2004 because of its golden sand, which is cleaned daily, and glittering blue waves. Admire the views whilst laying in one of Blue Bar Beach Club’s hammocks, or stay for dinner and feast on its celebrated gourmet burgers.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - Calella.

1 hour 10 minutes.

SANT POL DE MAR Lying beside the railway, this horseshoe cove surrounded by rocks is a great alternative to the racket of inner city beaches. It has the secluded charm of an oasis, despite being so close to the train tracks. Though it becomes more popular during the summer, couples hoping to have a cosy picnic under the sun are particularly fond of it. If more of a fine dining experience is what you’re after, Restaurant Banys Lluís overlooks another of Sant Pol de Mar’s beaches and has more than 90 years’ experience serving up tasty Catalan cuisine against a picture-perfect backdrop.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - Sant Pol de Mar. 1 hour.

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MET PEOPLE

What’s your favourite beach around Barcelona?

LA MUSCLERA Close to Arenys de Mar, La Musclera is a natural beach in every way. Primarily known as a nudist beach, the area is also regarded for its native vegetation and protected spaces. You can find some interesting species such as sea rocket, marine centinody and beach darnel here. Beyond its ecosystem, the beach’s chiringuito, H2O, gets rave reviews for its chill vibe, and its proximity to the sea will have you devouring seafood and sangria till it closes. The beach is generally peaceful, despite being popular with younger crowds, offering a sweet escape to turquoise waters and no tan lines.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - Caldes d’Estrac.

50 minutes.

YEN

Age: 27 From: London Profession: Publishing Manager Sant Sebastià—it’s close to the city centre and the W Hotel, and has a lot of culture around it.

OCATA Just beyond El Masnou, Ocata Beach is a buzzing destination. It hosts a number of seasonal rugby and volleyball tournaments, along with cultural and leisure activities, and is recognised for its characteristic chiringuitos. The beach bar Dreams often hosts DJs and bands at the weekend, and Bamboo provides comedy shows alongside fresh vegetarian fare. Though less busy than Barcelona, it seduces many visitors with its magnitude, making it easy to find a perfect spot to throw down your towel for the day. Ocata is also cleaner than most beaches in Barcelona, with finer sand, crystalline water and Blue Flag status.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - Ocata. 30 minutes.

EL MASNOU One of the best features of the beach at El Masnou is the view of Barcelona’s jagged skyline in the distance. The W Hotel, Torre Glòries, the Mapfre Towers and other landmarks of the city can all be identified clearly from the shoreline. Sunset makes for a magical time here, when the views can be enjoyed alongside live music, monologues or performances at the high-class La Rotonda beach bar. The beach’s proximity to Barcelona makes it a great day trip for families, young people and groups of friends in search of somewhere new.

How to get there: R1 Plaça Catalunya - El Masnou.

Approximately 25 minutes.

SIMON

Age: 35 From: Dorset Profession: Production and customer service manager Castelldefels because it’s big, open and less crowded. You can do a lot of watersports there, and it has great chiringuitos too!

CASTELLDEFELS Perhaps not the most exotic escape outside of Barcelona, Castelldefels still ticks all the boxes for an easy and worthwhile day trip along the coast. The wide strip of soft sand stretches five kilometres and affords more space for sunbathers. There are many useful facilities, including WiFi access across the whole beach, and several chiringuitos entice you to stay all day. Disconnect with a cocktail in hand at the chilled-out Carita Morena, or fuel up with Iguana’s tasty burgers and special sandwiches. Castelldefels is also a hub for watersports, where those who need a break from lounging in the sun can learn how to surf, sail or wakeboard at one of the nearby schools, such as Nalu Watersports or OsteoSport.

How to get there: R2 Sants - Castelldefels.

Approximately 20 minutes.

COURTNEY

Age: 29 From: Brisbane Profession: Change Manager Sitges because I used to go with my family when I was younger. It reminds me of my childhood and spending summers there.

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Photo courtesy of Alberich Photographers

CALA JOVERA Ditch the sandcastles and opt for a real castle by the sea. Cala Jovera is a secluded cove overlooked by the Romanesque Tamarit Castle. Once used as a port, the cove managed to retain its natural beauty and has received the ‘virgin beaches on the coast of Tarragona’ award two years in a row. Its bay of golden sand and blue ocean is enclosed by pine trees planted on the castle grounds, giving you the feeling of complete isolation. Cala Jovera is quicker to get to by car, and the magic of this place makes it well worth the drive.

How to get there: 1 hour 20 minutes by car.

EL GARRAF

CUNIT

This beach is named after the sleepy fishing village of Garraf.

Striking green and white fishermen’s houses, now used as beach huts, run along the pebbled sand offering a picturesque facade unique to the location. The village sits beyond the huts at the foot of the rocky Sierra de Coma Rioja and Garraf National Park, perfect for nature-lovers wanting to explore beyond the beach. Many families also enjoy the calmness of Garraf beach, where shallow waters and clean sand let children roam more freely. La Cúpula restaurant is a great lunch spot close by, sitting at one end of the beach with a shiny red vintage car parked in the dining room, an elegant terrace and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

How to get there: R2 Sants - Garraf. 30 minutes.

Cunit is one of Catalunya’s many Blue Flag beaches, with fine yellow sand coating two and a half kilometres of coastline. Seven breakwaters form a series of half moon beaches with calm, shallow waters, which makes Cunit a popular spot for families with young children. The bays are all easily accessible and share several useful facilities, such as on-site showers, foot washers and toilets, lifeguard stations, a nearby carpark, volleyball courts and a playground. A long promenade fringes the beach, frequented by cyclists and skaters, and is great for those wanting to stroll between Cunit’s different landscapes of sand and sea, and coastal mountain range.

How to get there: R2 Sants - Cunit. Approximately 50 minutes.

SITGES

PLATJA LLARGA

One of the most popular escapes for Barcelona residents is the colourful town of Sitges, known for its gay nightlife, celebrated film festival and world-renowned Carnival. The town is also home to 17 charismatic beaches, each with its own personality and following.

Platja de la Fragrata has lovely views of the iconic Church of Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla, and is great for families and young people, with its volleyball courts, paddle boats for hire and nearby restaurants. East of the church, Platja dels Balmins caters to those who prefer to bathe au-natural and is one of the most popular nudist beaches of the region. Further west, Platja la Bassa Rodona is the main gay beach of Sitges, which is comparatively busier than the others and offers many facilities such as a beach bar, kayak rentals and massage services.

How to get there: R2 Sants - Sitges. 30-40 minutes.

A little farther to travel, Platja Llarga is around 5km east of Tarragona and is the longest beach of the province. It offers semi-urban characteristics, where sun-worshippers can savour the space and privacy, and non-bathers can relish the medley of nearby hotels, restaurants and bars. Toful de Mar is one of the popular chiringuitos posted along the beach, serving tapas and seafood on a terrace that gives way to endless sea views. Like much of the Costa Daurada, the water is calm, warm and shallow, but you can still try your hand at surfing in the practice area.

There is also a nearby campsite named after the beach for those inspired by the surrounding pine forest, home to diverse species of flora and fauna and ideal for birdwatching.

How to get there: R Expres Sants - Tarragona, then bus 12/13 Mediterrani. 1 hour 30 minutes.

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WORKING LIFE

startup of the month

BRAND YOUR SHOES Guillem Soldevila (right) with his brother Ferran Soldevila

FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR GUILLEM SOLDEVILA, 45, VIC Although my grandparents owned shoe stores for over 50 years, nobody in my family was interested in continuing the business, and eventually they had to sell the shops. Then about five years ago, when I was working in graphic design and communications, a friend of mine associated with castellers (human towers) came to me and asked if my brother, Ferran, and I could make shoes to fit their specific need. That’s when it all started, when we got the idea for the startup Brand Your Shoes.

We started by talking to our partners—manufacturers, suppliers and graphic design studios—to develop what we call our Full-ID Customisation System.

Customers—companies, schools, universities, clubs and teams—can choose one of the four shoe models we created (Vintage, Urban, Retro or Classic) and customise it completely. This is why we define ourselves as a white label brand of sneakers. Everything we sell is designed in Barcelona and made in Spain.

At the beginning, when we defined our business plan, we decided to position ourselves as a branding project. We knew that nobody else was doing exactly what we wanted to do, and that people would value our project because it would allow them to brand apparel like sneakers, which aren’t typically customisable.

For example, we have clients that are used to spending some of their budget on merchandising, but usually caps or T-shirts, not sneakers. We’re giving the

market new opportunities to put their logos or designs on a different product.

We’re a small company but we’re growing. We’ve been travelling to various marketing and technology fairs around the world to promote the brand. It’s fun, everybody loves the shoes. Our minimum order is set at 30 pairs of shoes, which is very low, but effectively attracts a larger funnel of potential clients. We’ve made shoes for companies big and small, from a chiringuito in the Costa Brava to KLM, the Dutch airline. With our new website, you can design your shoes from your phone, tablet or desktop. Customising is a trend of the future.

What I don’t like about the entrepreneurship sector is that everybody is focused on developing apps. To combat this, I think there should be more government support for people who are running industrial projects. There are some very innovative things happening in the industrial sector and I believe these types of projects should be prioritised over apps.

Being an entrepreneur is harder than people think. The easiest part is having an idea—it’s figuring out how to monetise that idea that’s the real challenge.

Luckily Barcelona is a great place to be; it’s a creative city with a concentrated, innovative community.

To brand your shoes, visit brandyourshoes.com.

GET INSPIRED...

INTRO TO DATA ANALYTICS Ubiqum Code Academy. Bruc 149. July 17th-21st.

Learn the fundamentals of data analytics at this week-long workshop. Students will be able to explore business data using machine learning algorithms and discover what life as a data analyst entails. Designed to be 100 percent practical, the workshop is suitable for absolute beginners. It costs €25 and runs from 10am until 2pm every day.

STARTUP GRIND HOSTS: JUSTO MOLINERO

FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS BARCELONA

Mobile World Centre. Fontanella 2.

July 13th. 6.30pm.

Justo Molinero is a radio presenter and founder of Grup TeleTaxi, a Spanish communications agency with 28 radio stations and a number of TV channels to its name. He will be sharing his expertise in a short talk. The event will be conducted in Spanish.

Venue TBC. July 12th. 7pm.

This monthly meetup and brainstorming session encourages entrepreneurial women living in the city to inspire and support one another. Each participant has the chance to voice a professional problem they have encountered and receive feedback from the group about how to solve it.

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WORKING LIFE

A DIGITAL POWERHOUSE

METROPOLITAN VISITS PIER 01 AND TALKS TO MIQUEL MARTÍ, CEO OF BARCELONA TECH CITY.

By Esther Jones

F

rom the outside, it looks just like its neighbour, the Museu d’Història de Catalunya. Side by side, they are both residents of the elegant Palau del Mar, a 19th-century building overlooking Port Vell and surrounded by restaurant terraces. Yet step inside and you’ll find over 1,000 of the city’s most creative people busying away in huge open-plan spaces. Above each cluster of desks hangs the name of their particular startup, and on the walls are motivational quotes, sales figures and graphs. Impromptu meetings take place over desks and Skype calls are conducted in booths to the side. Those in need of some inspiration, or just a break from this hive of ideas and activity, can head to the terrace at the top of the building and enjoy one of Barcelona’s best panoramic views. Welcome to Pier 01, the newest addition to Barcelona’s fast-growing digital ecosystem.

Opened by Barcelona Tech City in July 2016, after a three million euro refurbishment, Pier 01 is now home to over 100 digital and tech organisations, from venture builders such as Antai (creators of Wallapop and Glovo) and Nuclio, to accelerators and individual startups, such as HolaLuz, Byhours, LetGo and Tiendeo. “Our inspiration is to be found in other international hubs, such as The Factory in Berlin, the Google Campus in London or the Madrid Campus,” says Miquel Martí, CEO of Barcelona Tech City.

Such a hub is a strategic boost to Barcelona’s growing reputation as a digital powerhouse. The city’s startup ecosystem, along with competitive salaries and, for now at least, reasonable property prices, make it attractive to investors and entrepreneurs alike. Lifestyle matters too, and Pier 01’s location in such an emblematic building is no coincidence. Here in this privileged spot by the port, it brings together the many other things that Barcelona has to offer digital entrepreneurs, including the city’s rich history and Mediterranean lifestyle. It’s a potent mixture as Martí recognises: “We’ve shown

foreign entrepreneurs around the building and five minutes after leaving they’ve sent a message to say that they want to join Pier 01.”

Created in 2013 as an association open to anyone in the city in the digital and tech business, Barcelona Tech City aims to consolidate Barcelona’s reputation as a reference point in the digital world and to help stimulate its growth. It does this by providing entrepreneurs with support and networking opportunities, and, most importantly for Martí, by recognising that improving skills and knowledge is key to acceleration. With over 500 members, Martí says that what sets it apart from other organisations is its aim to create a value proposition based on what entrepreneurs really need, with a structure that is bottom up rather than top down. Pier 01 is what he calls “startup friendly”, and Barcelona Tech City is committed to staying clear of property speculation—space in the building rents at approximately half the market price.

The diverse mixture of organisations that filled Pier 01’s 10,000 square metres within months of opening has been key to its success, and Martí is adamant that Barcelona Tech City must have a transversal approach, welcoming all industries, from gaming to health, and property to finance. The building is also a melting pot of nationalities, and around 30 percent of the people working here are foreign. Martí estimates that half his day is conducted in English, and reflects that the use of English in Barcelona no longer poses the problem it used to for locals.

The hub is also a place where the worlds of corporate and startup can come together and discover synergies in spaces specifically designed for reflection and innovation, a process Martí describes as similar to matchmaking: “We invite them to meet, let them dance together, and at the end of the evening maybe they’ll fall in love.” So far, the association has attracted a number of big industry partners, including Gas Natural Fenosa, Telefónica and Caixa Bank.

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Maria Hidalgo

As a place for attracting and growing digital talent, Barcelona has made enormous progress in recent years: “There’s been a big leap forward in the last four years, helped by the Mobile World Congress and 4 Years From Now,” says Martí. “Most importantly, our companies are starting to be successful and to attract more international investors.”

In 2014, companies created in Barcelona turned over more than 6.500 million euros Barcelona is now one of the top five cities in Europe competing for international talent. The city attracts 60 percent of the startup investment in Spain and, through investment rounds and sales, its ecosystem has moved more than 1.300 million euros in the last 15 months. In 2014, companies created in Barcelona turned over more than 6.500 million euros. Asked how he would define the city’s startup scene, Martí says, “In one word, growing”. And Pier 01 plans to be part of that growth. In its short lifespan it has already become an essential stop on the Barcelona tour for national and foreign politicians and for companies thinking of relocating or investing in Barcelona: “Our vision is that Pier 01 can grow as much as our partners want it to. This can be the definitive project that changes the perception of Barcelona”.

NUCLIO: BUILDING DREAMS One of the venture builders that has made its home in Palau del Mar is Nuclio. Created in 2016, Nuclio counts leading entrepreneur and new technologies investor Carlos Blanco among its four founders and is dedicated to the creation and advancement of startups. Its premise is to create a viable startup business model for the talent that exists in the market.

Barcelona-born co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer Maria Hidalgo joined the project after some years working in marketing and startups. “We look for ideas that work well in other countries and adapt them to the local market,” she explains. “A team is constantly researching other markets, looking mostly at sectors where innovation and rapid growth are possible. The ideas are reviewed every two months by our advisory board to determine which will become reality.”

Nuclio recruits the talent for their startups on Nuclio Weekends.

These take place twice a year and candidates have the opportunity to work together and show what they’re made of. Once the team has been selected, Nuclio keeps a majority shareholding of the startup, with each member of the new team taking a percentage.

Team members come from all walks of life, from startups to corporate backgrounds, and Hidalgo stresses that the fit of the right person in the right role is essential to a startup’s success.

They look for specific skills and abilities depending on the project, and if someone turns out to be the wrong fit, they’ll be moved to a position that better suits their strengths.

The teams are based in Nuclio’s 500-square-metre office where they receive vital support from the Nuclio team who nurture them through the first rounds of financing until they’re sufficiently consolidated to leave and work independently. From the beginning, each member of the team earns a market salary. “We invest a lot of time in supporting and training the team so we only work with four or five startups at a time,” says Hidalgo. Right now these include Housefy, a real estate service that cuts out the agency commission, Brokoli, a one-stop app for insurance, and Eelp!, a personal assistance service that attends to your every need.

Besides the one-on-one support, Nuclio also deals with the practical aspects of running a startup, allowing the team to focus its energy on making the project successful. So, HR, communication, legal and financial services are centralised for all of the venture builder’s startups. Nuclio also helps the CEO of each startup in their search for funding.

Hidalgo sees a bright future for Barcelona’s startup world and notes that in just a few years the city’s digital ecosytem has grown significantly. She herself came back to the city from a stint in Copenhagen to head up Nuclio’s marketing, and her Danish partner was more than happy to make the move with her. Like Martí, Hidalgo considers that alongside a thriving tech industry, the city’s attractiveness for foreign entrepreneurs is an important factor and right now, she reflects, it seems to have it all.

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WORKING LIFE

A DAY IN THE LIFE MILOŠ SAJIN, 36, SOUTH AFRICAN, MUSIC SCHOOL DIRECTOR

10.30AM My days usually begin late, as I’m a night owl and work better in the evenings. This works out well though because I have students all over the world, whom I teach over Skype. When it’s 2pm in San Francisco or 7am in Melbourne, it’s already 11pm here, but that’s fine for me. Teaching classes online is a curious experience—for example, to be sitting in sunny Barcelona and see a blizzard in New York on my screen out the window of a student’s apartment is crazy. As I get home late on the days that I teach, I take it easy in the mornings, with a leisurely breakfast and family time.

12PM I make my way to the school. My wife and toddler often accompany me, before they head off to run errands or go to the park. On the walk, I begin to gather my thoughts for the day.

12.30PM I might pop into The Music Room, a workspace for musicians with practice rooms and instruments for hire that we recently opened, to check up on instrument rentals and any upcoming events, while enjoying a cup of coffee on the terrace. Often, as with any business, unexpected things pop up and I try to deal with those queries and interruptions as I go along. If I have to transport any instruments from The Music Room to the school, I take them now.

1.30PM It’s lunchtime so the school is quiet and I have a chance to attack my to-do list. Shine’s secretary is out at this time, so if anyone comes in, I greet them and answer any questions they may have. If there are any lessons, I greet teachers and students as well. The music community is great, and it’s rewarding to meet and work with creative people from all walks of life.

Miloš moved to Barcelona in 2008, and opened the Shine School of Music in Gràcia. During the first five years he worked day and night to establish the studio, and over time, Shine has grown and become a popular choice for both locals and foreign residents. With the arrival of his first child, Miloš has now taken a slightly less active role in the school.

2PM While catching up on emails, lesson planning or dealing with general admin, I have lunch in the office. There’s always a ton of stuff to get done around the school—arranging calendars, deciding which teachers will work best with which students, organising concerts, playing the guitar in preparation for my own advanced students, etc.—so I generally don’t have time to go out to eat.

4PM Rush hour at Shine begins. I chat with the secretary and deal with anything that needs my immediate attention as all the students arrive for their lessons. We are an eclectic mix—people arrive on skateboards, scooters, by foot and by taxi.

Classrooms fill up and the school really starts pumping with music.

5.30PM The school is as busy and intense as it gets. You can feel the deep vibrations coming from a bass guitar class and hear the rhythmic rasgueo being flicked out on a flamenco guitar. I grab a coffee in the kitchen, passing the cool sounds of a jazz piano in the adjoining classroom, before I begin lessons.

6PM On days that I teach, you’ll find me in my classroom where I can watch the goings-on of the school and teach at the same time. I enjoy my lessons immensely and have a superb bunch of students. They challenge me, and the exchange of knowledge is really rewarding. Many of them have become good friends.

I generally have lessons back to back, arriving home late. On days that I don’t teach, I head home just in time for my son’s storytime/bedtime routine. After he’s asleep I unwind over dinner and a series or movie. My schedule is quite fluid and with a little notice, I can swap things around to accommodate events and concerts, family time and holidays.

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TRAVEL

THE

IBIZA ESCAPE

YOUR GUIDE TO SUMMER ON THE WHITE ISLAND AWAY FROM THE CLUBS

By Melissa Leighty

I

f you’ve been to Ibiza, you know that it doesn’t take much time for the island to feel like an old friend. Although it has long been known for its party scene, Ibiza’s rustic charms run far and deep, and summer is the perfect time to discover all it has to offer. No matter what your vacation preferences, we’ve dug up the best and the brightest for a well-rounded summer exploration of the White Island.

THE WELLNESS ESCAPE

THE FITNESS ESCAPE

EXTREME YOGA yogaweeks.com

ROAMING IBIZA walkingibiza.com

Yoga Weeks offers week-long Vinyasa-based yoga retreats in a villa above Sant Carles in the northeast of Ibiza. Its courses include three hours of yoga per day, guided meditation and breathing exercises, a wellness evaluation, healthy vegetarian fare and free time to explore the island and its beaches. Guests can relax by the pool, visit the local hippie market Las Dalias, or tour the island by car. For the more adventurous, it also runs yoga boat retreats, where you complete the same programme aboard a 50-foot yacht. The yacht anchors each morning so yoga classes can be held on different beaches, but sunsets seen from the deck as you sail around Ibiza and the pristine shores of Formentera might prove even more memorable.

Yoga land retreats start at €825 and yoga boat retreats are €1,290.

Toby Clarke founded Walking Ibiza with one simple goal in mind: to show visitors the unparalleled beauty of the island from a rarely seen perspective. He leads a number of different walks, from twohour open community walks to private walks of various durations and levels of difficulty. He teaches eager foodies how to forage for the wild herbs used in Hierbas, the herb-based local liqueur. And he offers retreats that combine walking with yoga or mindfulness training. Enthusiasts can sign up for a four-day tour of the island, which combines walking, kayaking and biking, or the original 12-day circumnavigation walk, which initially began Toby’s adventure.

SPA DAZE atzaro.com One of the finest names in luxury on the island is the Agroturismo Atzaró, which is located in the centre of the island, surrounded by all the beauty nature has to offer. Atzaró provides many wellness rituals, from saunas, a hammam (a Turkish bath), spa treatments and massages to fitness instruction, yoga and Pilates. There are also Balinese beds in the sand, a pool and a bubbles bar for further relaxation. It’s nice to combine a day at the spa with healthy eating at one of its terrace bars or La Veranda Restaurant, which offers light, seasonal cuisine.

LUXURY FITNESS HOLIDAY thirtyeightdegreesnorth.com Those wanting a holiday with a fitness focus should look no further than 38 Degrees North, a holistic workout programme that addresses mind and body wellness. Its intensive approach means you’ll attend up to five small group classes of supportive and tailored instruction per day, and be held accountable for goal setting and tracking.

However, you’ll also get to dine on delicious, nutritious food, which is more of an indulgence. Owners James and Claire offer week-long as well as long weekend courses designed to help you meet your fitness goals through diverse activities such as HIIT cardio sessions, kettle bell workouts, yoga, stand up paddle surfing and sunrise hikes. All courses include luxury accommodation at the five star ME Ibiza hotel.

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SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ESCAPE HORSEBACK RIDING ibizahorsevalley.com Most visitors to Ibiza view the island by car or by foot, but for a different experience consider a horse ride along the coast. There’s no better host for the experience than Ibiza Horse Valley, a nonprofit organisation devoted to saving abandoned and mistreated horses from a bleak future.

Founded in 2010, the sanctuary is run by David and Monique, who work closely with the horses to help rehabilitate them. They do not resell or release the horses, but instead maintain them through donations. They invite guests aged 12 and up to get to know, care for and ride their horses in small groups. Riders can choose either a half-day trot in the mountains or a full-day ride along the beach.

ORGANIC FARM WORKSHOPS ibizacanmuson.com Can Musón is a 16-acre organic farm filled to the brim with fruit trees, veggie gardens and local breeds of animals, which visitors can see for a small fee. It offers tours and tastings of the food made from the gardens, as well as workshops where guests can learn how to make ecological breads and flaó, the local fresh cheese dessert.

At the end of a rough track near Sant Antonio lies Green Heart Ibiza, an off the grid farm begun in 1996 with the goal of teaching sustainable living. The house, Casita Verde, is open every Sunday, from 2pm to 7pm. For a €10 donation, visitors can take a two-hour tour of the centre, try natural body and skin care products made from aloe vera and carob (native to the island), indulge in a massage and sample vegetarian cooking. There’s a play area and entertainment for children, and Green Heart Ibiza also has a stand at the Forada market every Saturday.

Photo courtesy of 38 Degrees North

Photo courtesy of Atzaró

SUSTAINABLE LIVING greenheartibiza.org

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THE FOODIE ESCAPE WHAT TO DRINK Cultivated for its medicinal properties, Hierbas is made by locals from closely guarded secret recipes that have been passed down for generations. Luckily Drink Workshop (drinkworkshop. com), a programme run by the talented Phillip Thomas, teaches participants all the tricks to make this divine island drink in a fun, one-and-a-half hour workshop starting at €34. If you fancy yourself more as a distiller, you can check out his gin-making workshops as well.

Although they often get lost in the larger lexicon of Spanish vinos, Balearic wines have plenty to offer. While Ibiza has its own vineyards, it’s worth taking the 30-minute ferry ride to Formentera, a paradise of its own. Terra Moll (terramoll.es) is one of two vineyards on the island that take advantage of old vines and ideal weather to produce excellent boutique wines.

It offers guided tours of the vineyards, with a sneak peek at the cellar, three wine tastings and traditional snacks from the Balearic Islands for €12, which serve as a nice respite from the summer sun. Reservations are essential.

WHERE TO EAT With all there is to see and do on the island, it might better suit to pack a picnic and just go. El Picnic (elpicnic.es) will make sure you have everything you need in your basket. You can choose from one of its pre-filled picnic baskets (€50), or select individual items from the menu and fill your own (minimum order €40).

There are three pick up spots in top picnic locations around the island, or you can have your meal delivered right to you.

If you’ve been lucky enough to discover Anne Sijmonsbergen’s gorgeous cookbook Eivissa, you’ll be pleased to know she has finally opened her kitchen to the world. The much-anticipated El Portalón (elportalonibiza.com), located above the old port in a historic building in Ibiza Town, is a cosy restaurant that features pan-European cuisine. Think European brasserie heavy on the French and Italian accents, with dishes such as tortellini in butter sauce with creamy potato and sage mash—although the new Ibicencan cuisine for which Sijmonsbergen is best known appears too in dishes such as her superfood salad loaded with the island’s vibrant veggies.

5 MUST-TRY IBICENCAN SPECIALITIES BORRIDA DE RATJADA: Don’t be put off by the idea of ray stew. This is a humble dish, but a delicious one. Not unlike squid, ray is a bit of a blank slate, which soaks up the sofrito of garlic, onions and green peppers that it’s simmered in, before being dressed in a layer of crispy breadcrumbs. Try it at Sa Nansa (restaurantesanansa.com).

BULLIT DE PEIX: As close as you’ll get to traditional fisherman’s stew, bullit de peix usually features whatever freshly caught fish and crab is on hand, along with potatoes, onions, saffron and white wine cooked in a beautiful fume. Try it at Tropicana Beach Club in Cala Jondal (tropicanaibiza.com/el-restaurante).

GREIXONERA: Made from day-old ensaimadas, greixonera is a bread pudding-style dessert in which the already tasty pastries are soaked overnight in a creamy concoction of eggs, milk, sugar, lemon, cinnamon and butter, and then baked. Try it at Es Torrent (estorrent.net), right on the water.

FLAÓ: Flaó sounds like flan, but it’s more like cheesecake, made from fresh sheep’s and goat’s cheese blended with eggs, sugar, lemon, butter and anise seeds and baked like a quiche. Try it at Es Pi Verd in Sant Miquel de Balansat.

HIERBAS: After dinner, indulge in a tipple of the bright yellow local anisette liqueur, distilled from the island’s wild herbs. It’s a little sharp on the tongue but excellent for digestion. Trust me, it’ll grow on you. Try it at Bar Anita in Sant Carles.

El Portalón

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TRAVEL

ROCK THE BOAT RETREAT FROM THE CITY HEAT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EMPURIABRAVA’S DEEP BLUE CANALS

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mpuriabrava is an upmarket town situated on the Costa Brava, with a rich historical heritage and plenty of glittering blue water to splash around in. Reminiscent of Venice, it has 30 kilometres of sailable canals and 5,000 jetties, making it the largest residential marina in Europe. You can spend your time here at the beautiful beaches in the Gulf of Roses and the variety of waterfront bars and restaurants, or kick your trip up a notch and charter a boat.

Choose from a host of motorboats, rib boats, sailboats, catamarans and jet skis, then ride the small waves of Empuriabrava’s maze of waterways till the sun goes down. From this vantage point you can glimpse pristine gardens bursting with colour, Mediterranean houses and locals’ extravagant yachts.

ECO BOATS ecoboats.es When it opened in 1996, Eco Boats became the first company to start renting boats to people without a boating licence. Today, the company has more than 20 motorboats for hire, each of which is equipped with GPS. Its mission is to offer visitors an ecological way of touring Empuriabrava’s channels as well as a memorable experience. Its boats hold five to eight people and can be rented by the hour.

CLICK&BOAT clickandboat.com This is the Airbnb for boats. A peer-to-peer yacht charter platform, its French founders came up with the idea after observing that among the millions of boats in France, very few are used more than 10 days a year. Click&Boat allows boat owners to earn money to cover the expensive upkeep of their vessels, from maintenance and insurance to mooring, and renters to choose between hundreds of boats located in their preferred sailing area. In Empuriabrava there are currently 52 different types of boats available. Prices vary depending on the boat’s capacity, style and condition, but most fall between €200 and €600 per day.

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restaurant review

RESTAURANT REVIEW

AGUST FOOD WITHOUT BORDERS

By Sam Zucker

A

fter years as a working chef, a culinary instructor at Barcelona’s prestigious Hofmann hospitality school, and a restaurant consultant, French-Moroccan Hicham Houmidide thought it was time to mount a project of his own. Trained in fine dining kitchens around Europe, chef-proprietor Houmidide, along with business partner Jean-Christophe Burgy, decided in 2015 to break down the global barriers of elegant and modern cuisine. With influences from Mexico to Japan, Agust serves food without borders—no visa required.

Upon first entering this intimate space on the popular Carrer del Parlament, you instantly appreciate the casual but refined atmosphere that the partners have strived to achieve. Upstairs is a lofted dining room, but we were happily seated on stools at a high table, practically within arm’s reach of the petite open kitchen.

The team at Agust is just as international as the food, with young chefs from Peru, China and France, among other nationalities, composing delicate dishes like ‘La Mexicana’ oyster spiked with aguachile and pico de gallo, and the smoked sardine loin with pistachio ajo blanco, beetroot, yogurt and raspberries. I love oysters and couldn’t find a fault with this briny and herbaceous first bite, and the smoked sardine was one of my favourites of the night, though the raspberries—at their peak of ripeness and laden with sweet acidity—clashed a bit with the fish and were only made more

tart by the yogurt. Perhaps a touch more fat would have held these powerful berries in check.

Next came a Korean-style fried squid sandwich and a bowl of tempura-fried chunks of creamy avocado. The bocadillo de calamar with kimchi sauce was wrapped not in bread but in a steamed bun, with tender nuggets of squid slathered in a slightly spicy mayonnaise and cloaked in cilantro. This little starter checks all the boxes of a good bar snack and was an enjoyable few bites, but it was actually the tempura avocado that won the round. The taste and texture of warm, cooked avocado is always a pleasant surprise when prepared correctly, and these thick, ripe hunks had an almost meaty character that was even better when dipped in the accompanying hoisin sauce.

One dish I found very strange when reading the menu, but was happily surprised by, was the aged veal loin carpaccio with Parmesan cream and berberechos (cockles). The earthy umami of the cheese with the brine and salinity of the cockles made this one of the more intriguing beef carpaccios I have ever tried. The meat itself was shaved ultra thin and, with 21 days of dry ageing, had just enough flavour to stand out while not overshadowing the cockles, its oddly compatible partner.

Our last ‘middle course’ was a house-made terrine of foie gras with sweet and citrusy mandarin gelée, an intensely sour kumquat sauce, and some crunchy sesame tuiles as garnish. The mandarin

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MORE INFO

Parlament 54 T. 93 162 6733 agustbarcelona.com Mon-Thurs 7pm-2am Fri-Sun 2pm-4pm, 7pm-2am ✪✪✪✪

Photos courtesy of Agust

✪ NOT WORTH THE TRIP ✪✪ COULD IMPROVE ✪✪✪ GOOD ✪✪✪✪ VERY GOOD ✪✪✪✪✪ NOT TO BE MISSED

Looking back over what we ate at Agust, the recurring theme here (where the menu spans genres and continents) is without a doubt, finesse gelée was made in the style of the classic Spanish membrillo (quince paste)—a fruit purée with pectin added to create a gelatinous and sliceable fruit paté. I’ve consumed a lot of foie gras in my life— terrines or otherwise—and I’m beginning to think that, though nearly always enjoyable, they all start to taste sort of the same. Rich and fatty liver plus sweet/acidic fruit is a winning combination, but it’s also hard for this ingredient to stand out and be remembered. The presentation and execution of Agust’s foie gras terrine was splendid

and will make any foie lover happy, but it also made me ponder whether I might need a break from this popular dish.

When the main courses were delivered, a plate of 24-hour sous vide Wagyu paleron de boeuf (chuck steak)—an ‘off menu’ item—draped in snow peas and shiso leaves arrived to one side of the table, and a Thai prawn curry to the other. The beef was fork-tender (though in reality, any meat cooked gently sous vide for 24 hours would be) and truly decadent, but I do think that the unique character of the Wagyu beef was hard to distinguish after so much cooking.

The curry was not what I expected, but in the end delivered a ton of flavour. Instead of a coconut curry broth, this was a bowl of gently poached prawns with a foamy prawn-head emulsion infused with curry, kaffir lime leaf and Thai basil—a final punch to the taste buds to end the meal.

Looking back over what we ate at Agust, the recurring theme here (where the menu spans genres and continents) is without a doubt, finesse. The skill and creativity that goes into each dish is apparent at first bite. We let the kitchen surprise us with dessert, and it did not disappoint. All talking at the table ceased abruptly as a cartoonish mojito tequila mousse, infused with mint and shaped like a cactus (complete with a real terracotta pot and edible chocolate ‘soil’) arrived, ending our Agust experience with one final, odd-yetexquisite culinary spectacle.

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QUICK BITES

LA BALMESINA THE SECRET’S IN THE DOUGH

By Sam Zucker

MORE INFO

Balmes 193 T. 93 415 6224 labalmesina.com Mon-Tues 7.30am-5pm Wed-Thurs 7.30am-5pm, 7.30pm-12.30am Friday 7.30am-5pm, 7.30pm-1am Saturday 7.30pm-1am Sunday 1-5pm

Photos courtesy of La Balmesina

I

t’s not every day that you meet a genuine ‘pizza dough consultant’, but that is exactly the title that Massimo ‘Max’ Morbi held before opening La Balmesina with associates Alessandro Zangrossi (maître d’) and Mattia Ciresola (chef). Max can be found moving from table to table in this casual dining room, taking orders from groups of Italian expatriates, of which the restaurant was full on the night we stopped by (always a good sign), and pouring glasses from a list of exclusively organic and natural wines—his second passion after pizza.

Max says that the preparation of the dough is just as important as the recipe. All of the pizza dough here is made from stone-ground, organic Italian flour with a sourdough base, and each batch is slowly fermented for 72 hours before being baked in a classic pizza oven.

La Balmesina offers three styles of crust. The first, and most popular, is ‘La Tonda’, a personalsized pizza made on a fine dough that maintains a nice crunch, but is never dry inside. The second style, ‘La Tonda de Espelta’, is the same size but is made from high-protein, easy-to-digest spelt flour and has a more nutty flavour. Finally, there’s the massive ‘La Pala’, which is an oval-shaped slab of pizza made for two people, with an extra light and crispy crust.

The pizza toppings at La Balmesina are pretty classic, including the eponymous Margherita Balmes with tomato, genuine Mozzarella di Bufala, confit tomatoes, Parmesan and basil. About half of all of the pizzas were vegetarian, and they aren’t over-loaded with ingredients, instead letting the quality of the prime material shine. We went with a classic Baggio (like the Margherita, but without basil and with artichokes). It really was some of the best pizza dough I have ever tasted.

Next time I think I’ll try the Rugolin with roasted pumpkin purée, Porcini mushrooms, burrata and confit tomatoes.

La Balmesina has gained fame for its pizzas, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of the menu should be passed over. A light starter of chilled aubergine Parmesan was delicate and satisfying, as were the plump and airy pillows of strangolapreti, a type of gnocchi (literally translated as ‘priest chokers’) typical of Trentino and made with spinach and ricotta cheese, no potato added. Start your meal off with a ‘Hugo’ spritz (elderflower liqueur, cava and mint)—a revelation and my new favourite summer aperitivo—and save room for the homemade tiramisu for dessert.

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BAKERY

BRUNELLS

By Misty Barker

T

here aren’t many things that would inspire me to wake up at 6am on a rainy Thursday morning, but the anticipation of spending a day in one of the most enigmatic bakeries in Barcelona is certainly one of them. Opened in 1852, the unassuming Pastisseria Brunells is located in the heart of the Born, on the corner of Carrer de la Princesa and Carrer de Montcada, just around the corner from Museu Picasso.

Stepping inside Brunells is like taking a step back in time.

Traditional interior design, aromas of freshly baked bread and three generations’ worth of family passion capture all of your senses. It’s this unique combination that reminds me of a time when life and food were simpler and more honest. The team of charming bakers, many of whom have worked here for over 50 years, create some of the most delicious Catalan pastries around. I was lucky enough to get to watch them work and witness their excitement at showing me their specialities and techniques firsthand.

To preserve the quality and authenticity of their products, everything is freshly made, and I was assured by the owner, Carles Liebot, that everything sold at Brunells, including the chocolate, is produced in their kitchen. They are then baked in what is rumoured to be one of the oldest functioning ovens in the city, dating back over 100 years. It’s their most prized feature—understandably so, as it measures almost 25 square metres, with heat billowing out from its gaping mouth each time a tray is expertly placed within it.

The recipes used today have been passed down from generation to generation, all using the freshest and finest ingredients. The cases and countertops of the shop are covered with breads, pastries and torrons, but also items they have mastered like no other bakery in the city. Try the coca de llardons (similar to a puff pastry topped with sugar and nuts), panellets (sweets typically made with marzipan), and encenalls (a crunchy nut cookie). The star, however, is the Xuixo—a famous pastry from Girona with a fun and interesting history. Deep fried, filled with crema catalana and topped with crystallised sugar, it’s not one to be missed.

Princesa 22. Tues-Sat 8.30am-8pm and Sunday 8.30am-3pm.

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RECIPE

FOCACCIA with cherry tomatoes and garlic (serves 6)

B

efore you write in, I am well aware that focaccia is not a Spanish dish. But given how hard it can be to get good Spanish bread in Barcelona without paying a small fortune, and how incredibly easy this is to make, I feel it’s fair to include it here. Italy is not so far away and Catalunya was once Roman territory after all. Crunchy on the outside, light and fluffy in the middle, it’s equally good served alone with nothing but quality olive oil for company, or as the base of a fantastic sandwich. Trust me, this is the sort of food that stellar summer picnics are made of, and it will impress your friends no end. It’s also very easy to adapt. Instead of using tomatoes and garlic, try mushing up some figs or peaches with a very mild olive oil, then continue with the goat's cheese and rosemary. It works a treat.

INGREDIENTS 500g strong white flour (don’t be tempted to use ancient grain or whole wheat, it never works as well), or 400g plain flour & 100g semolina flour 9g dry yeast 1 tbsp salt 1/2 tbsp sugar 320ml warm water

Handful yellow cherry tomatoes, halved Handful red cherry tomatoes, halved Handful goat's cheese, crumbled 6 garlic cloves, sliced 75ml olive oil Several sprigs rosemary

IN SEASON

JULY: TomaToeS, avoCadoS, waTeRmelon, FIGS, neCTaRIneS and PaRaGuayoS

METHOD 1. To make the bread, stir the yeast and sugar into the water until it foams slightly.

2. Put the flour in a large flat bowl, make a well in the middle and add the yeasty water, stirring to combine with the tips of your fingers.

3. Bring the dough together (add a tiny amount of extra flour or water if need be) and knead well for 5 minutes or so.

4. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. 5. Lightly grease a large bowl with oil, place the dough ball in it and leave to rise for 20 minutes.

6. Meanwhile poach the tomatoes and

garlic (or whatever you’re using) in the oil until soft and squidgy, then set aside to cool.

7. Grease a shallow baking tray with oil and place the dough on top, pressing down so it fills the tray and leaves pockmarks in the top.

8. Cover with the tomato mixture, then push the rosemary sprigs and goat's cheese into the top of the dough.

9. Bake for 20 minutes until golden, remove from the oven, rest for 10 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Tara Stevens is a food writer and cook who splits her time between Barcelona and her little cooking school in the Fez Medina. Passionate about Spanish and Moroccan cuisine, she takes traditional recipes and gives them a modern makeover using local and seasonal ingredients.

Follow Tara on Instagram @courtyardkitchenfez and Twitter @taralstevens.

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NEFW &D

FOOD DRINK

& IN

Bar D9 BAR4 POBLENOU Whether you are an Erasmus student, a football fanatic or a music lover, D9 Bar has a night for you. Equipped with a terrace, D9 offers a wide range of tapas, beers, cocktails and shots for every night of the week. With American Day on Wednesdays, Erasmus parties on Thursdays and music-themed parties on Fridays and Saturdays, there is always something for everyone.

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

under 20 | 20-30 | 30-40 | over 40  food&drink visit our online directory www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/eating-and-drinking

Pallars 122, 08016 Tel. 93 309 9202 I www.denou.bar Sun-Thurs 6pm-2.30am Fri-Sat 6pm-3am

To advertise in this section call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com

NEFW &D IN

TOTORA - EIXAMPLE

MENEGHINA4BORN

Authentic Peruvian recipes with cuttingedge cuisine awaits diners at Totora.

The restaurant offers a gastronomical journey of Peru with classics such as cebiche, ají de gallina (spicy chicken stew), and the lomo saltado (sautéed beef tenderloin), alongside new, creative dishes concocted by head chef Pablo Ortega. Diners can enjoy Ortega’s menu, infused with tastes of the sea, or can linger at the restaurant’s long bar to enjoy bartenders cultivate tasty cocktails, including the Peruvian classic, pisco sour. Menu of the day available from 17.50.

Located on a quaint side street close to the convent of Sant Agusti in El Born, Meneghina offers an exciting and innovative combination of Italian and Catalan flavours, tempting desserts and an extensive selection of wines in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features fresh seasonal produce, which changes on a daily basis.

Tiradors 2 I T. 93 119 2221 hola@meneghina.es I www.meneghina.es www.facebook.com/meneghinas Tues-Sun 1pm-3.30pm, Tues-Sat 8.30pm-11.30pm

Còrsega 235, 08036 Tel. 93 667 4372 Mon-Sun 1pm-3.30pm, 8pm-11.30pm

ÁNDELE - EIXAMPLE Part of the Ándele Group, this new, modern restaurant in Barcelona’s Eixample district offers an authentic, traditional Mexican cuisine. It combines traditional recipes with new, continuing to surprise and delight diners, whilst ensuring high quality ingredients for every dish. The restaurant also features an attractive bar, where you can enjoy a full selection of tequilas, mescals and various premium distillates used to create delicious cocktails. Average menu price 20 and lunch menu available from 12.90.

París 147. 08036 Tel. 93 277 8766 | www.andele.es info@andele.es Mon-Sun 1pm-4pm, 8pm-12am

BAR DOS BILLARES4 RAVAL This well-kept secret is located in the basement of Casa Camper Hotel, where jazz, culture and billiard lovers can relax and enjoy an exclusive cocktail. This club offers a programme of cultural and music events for the most creative public. It is the ideal space for escaping the crowds or hosting business clients.

Elisabets 11 | Metro Liceu Tel. 93 342 6280 Tues-Thurs 4pm-12am Fri-Sat 4pm-2am www.club.casacamper.com

Food & drink JULY 2017.indd 44

BLACKLAB BREWERY4 BARCELONETA Blacklab have a huge range of American Style craft beers made on premises with a Minnesotan brewer. They experiment with their brews like a beer lab. They have four beers all year around, 16 rotating seasonals. Their beer is poured directly from the tanks and you won’t find anything fresher. Their kitchen is non stop and doesn’t close during opening hrs. They serve tasty American Food with Asian touch.

Beer tour and beer tasting with their brewers every Sunday at 17h. Also available for big groups at any day.

Palau de Mar, Plaça Pau Vila 1, 08039 Tel. 93 22 18 360 hola@blacklab.es www.blacklab.es

6/23/17 11:16 AM

FONDA ESPAÑA4 BARRI GÒTIC

MANNÀ GELATS4 BARRI GÒTIC

Located in the emblematic Hotel España, the Modernist dining room, designed and decorated by Domènech i Montaner, houses Fonda España.

Rich in patrimonial interest, the historic elements in this beautiful room inspire and enhance the new elements. Here, Gastronomic Director Martín Berasategui’s aim is to offer his well-known culinary concept to diners looking for simple, balanced and delicious dishes that are a tribute to the renowned chef’s origins.

Mannà Gelats offers homemade ice creams, waffles and crêpes in the heart of the Barrio Gótico. Their ice creams are inspired by family recipes, using the finest products. The fresh fruit sorbets are made with market-bought products, and boast a range of exotic varieties. Their passion is to please their customers with personalised attention.

Banys Nous 22 | Metro Liceu Tel. 93 342 7312 Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 11am-11pm www.mannagelats.wordpress.com

Sant Pau 9-11 I Metro Liceu Tel. 93 550 0000 Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm and 8pm-11pm Sun 1pm-4pm

Indian / Tandoori BAR CENTRO4 EIXAMPLE

NICE SPICE4POBLENOU

Bar Centro offers a unique experience when you indulge in one of their burgers. 40-day aged beef of Galician ‘Vaca Vieja’ cooked on the grill is a must-try. Eight craft beer taps go hand in hand with their gastronomic proposal.

Don’t miss all four versions of their pulled pork, the homemade nachos, the chilli or the bravas! Everything is handcrafted.

Specialists in Tandoori. Typical halaal with high quality dishes. See the chefs prepare and cook your food ,which is all made with fresh ingredients. Boasting a Bollywood musical ambience, Nice Spice is an excellent choice for traditional indian food in Barcelona.

Casp 55. 08010 Metro Tetuan/ Urquinaona Tel. 93 192 5255 www.barcentrobcn.com barcentrobcn@gmail.com Mon-Wed 1pm-11pm Thurs-Fri 1pm-11.30pm Sat 8pm-12am

Pujades 207 | Metro Poblenou Tel. 93 308 9548 www.restaurantnicespice.com Open everday 12pm-4pm, 8pm-12pm

BRITTA’S NORDIC DELI4GRÀCIA

SÚPER COFFEE & FOOD STORE4POBLENOU Take Away Shop Healthy food cooked in store to take away.

Their food begins with ingredients that have been sourced for their freshness and quality. They support local ecological providers. Their dishes are a representation of the seasons and they strive to provide fresh dishes prepared on a daily basis.

Check the website for the current menu.

Business Catering Súper is specialised in catering for business events and meetings of any size.

Contact info@superbcn.es for a detailed overview.

Roc Boronat 102, 08018 | Tel: 933 099 838 Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm | www.superbcn.es | @ superbcnes

Britta’s Nordic Deli is the first and only Scandinavian deli in Barcelona.

Here you’ll find the most delicious sandwiches and smørrebrød in town.

Moreover, they offer all kinds of specialities to take away from a wide charcuterie, including smoked and marinated wild salmon, hot smoked salmon, marinated herring, homemade salads, smoked deer, organic cheeses, Danish seaweed caviar and a lot more.

Bonavista 29 | Tel. 93 461 7362 | Mon 5-9pm, Tues-Fri 11.30am-3.30pm and 5pm-9pm, Sat 11.30am-3.30pm, Sun closed | www.brittas.es

Delivery FOODIES BARCELONA4POBLENOU Foodies Barcelona is an online restaurant that prepares wholesome and fresh meals, delivering to your office, business or party. Whether you want a healthy lunch for a meeting or daily catering, they’ve got you covered. Order online or contact them for a menu.

Sant Joan de Malta 131 | Tel. 93 266 4271 Mon-Fri 8am-11am | www.foodiesbarcelona.es

Vegetarian/Vegan BE MY BAGEL4GRÀCIA

GOVINDA (VEGETARIAN)4BARRI GÒTIC

Do you dream of great bagels? Then Be My Bagel is the right place for you. They sell authentic bagels from Barcelona, just how you like them. Offering an extensive range of bagels and cakes—from the more classic choices such as poppy and multigrain to delicious and innovative chocolate, almond and coconut bagels—you won’t come away disappointed.

Founded over 30 years ago, Govinda continues to thrive on a blend of experience and fresh innovation with its vegetarian Indian cuisine. The international menu features thalis, a salad bar, natural juices, lassis, pizzas and crêpes. Govinda offers a vegan-friendly, non-alcoholic and authentically-decorated environment with lunch and weekend menus.

Planeta 37 (Pl. del Sol) | Metro Fontana or Gràcia Tel. 93 518 7151 I bemybagel@gmail.com Mon-Fri 9.30am-2pm and 5pm-8.30pm Sat 10am-2.30pm and 6pm-10pm Sun 10.30am-2pm www.bemybagel.es

Food & drink JULY 2017.indd 45

Plaça Vila de Madrid 4-5 | Metro Catalunya | Tel. 93 318 7729 Tues-Sat 1pm-4pm and 8pm-11.30pm, Sun-Mon 1pm-4pm | www.govinda.es

AMALTEA4EIXAMPLE A warm and welcoming environment allows you to fully enjoy a tasty and healthier alternative to your everyday meal. Dishes include cereals, pulses and vegetables and homemade puddings.

The cuisine is creatively international with care taken to ensure that each meal is well-balanced and made with the freshest ingredients. Their menu of the day costs 10.90, while their night and weekend menus cost 15.80.

Diputació 164 | Metro Urgell | Tel. 93 454 8613 Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm and 8pm-11pm, Sun closed | www.restauranteamaltea.com

6/23/17 11:16 AM

LOIDI RESTAURANT4 EIXAMPLE

TAP DE SURO4EIXAMPLE

Loidi is a contemporary bistro, in which Martin Berasategui makes his cuisine accessible to everybody. Prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients, his cuisine is presented with an imagination that recalls and pays homage to the celebrated Basque chef’s traditional roots and origins. The menu features various dining options with dishes that change on a weekly basis.

The restaurant is a very contemporary, warm and comfortable space frequented by a local and professional clientele. Head chef: Jordi Asensio. Maître d’: Oscar Fernández.

Tap de Suro is an intimate place dedicated entirely to the world of wine. Here you can experience delicious Mediterranean meals accompanied with an authentic wine collection.

They offer a diverse menu of Catalan wines and cavas, ranging from local Spanish grapes to the best international wines. They also provide a sales service in which they can advise you in finding the perfect flavour for every occasion.

Mallorca 248-250, 08008 Tel. 93 492 9292 Mon-Sat 1pm-3.30pm and 8pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-3.30pm

Mallorca 202, 08008 Tel. 93 461 4853 info@tapdesuro.com Mon-Sat 12pm-5pm and 7pm-11.30pm

MALPASO4EIXAMPLE This restaurant offers traditional Mexican cuisine. For starters, don’t miss the excellent house nachos, served with cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream, or Vuelve la Vida, a seafood ceviche with avocado, tomato and lime.

Other dishes include the Arrachera, a grilled US prime hanger steak served with baked vegetables, as well as the Atún Moctezuma, a pan-seared tuna battered in Mexican spices, served with pico de gallo, avocado and mint sauce.

Mexican brunch is also available at the weekend.

Girona 59, 08009 Tel. 93 461 3060 Mon-Thurs 8am-12am Fri-Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 9.30am-12am

CHICKEN SHOP & DIRTY BURGER4 BARRI GÒTIC Roast chicken and burgers – is there anything more appealing? This recently opened restaurant serves both! Their chicken from the Empordà region is marinated and cooked over coals by Chef Iñaki Moreno. They have some amazing Burgers on the Menu, with vegan and gluten free options too. Don’t forget to try their craft beers and cocktails! DJ sessions every Friday and Saturday from 8pm onwards.

Duc de Medinacelli 2, 08002 Tel. 93 220 47009 christian@chickenshop.com Mon-Fri 1pm-12am and Sat 12pm-12am Sun 12pm-11am www.chickenshop.com www.eatdirtyburger.com

Food & drink JULY 2017.indd 46

FOR THE BEST BARS, CAFES, AND RESTAURANTS IN BARCELONA, SEE OUR ONLINE A-Z DIRECTORY

6/23/17 11:16 AM

HEALTH &BEAUTY

Mary D. McCarthy - DOCTOR

Doctor for Adults

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

Feel confident with Dr. Mary McCarthy, an American-trained doctor for adults.

A native English speaker with over 20 years’ experience in Barcelona, Dr. McCarthy offers professional, private health care. She is a member of the American College of Physicians and International Association for Medical Assistance for Travellers, and is also certified as a Specialist by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

To advertise in this section call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See our online directory at

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

Mary D. McCarthy, M.D. Fellow American College of Physicians

Aribau 215 Pral. 1a T. 93 200 2924 M. 607 220 040

Dr. J. E Batista - UROLOGIST

Dr Bassas - DERMATOLOGY

Dr. Jose E Batista is a specialist in Urology who trained in the UK and the USA. Together with his team (Uroclinica Barcelona), he covers all the fields of Urology, with special interest in prostatic diseases, laser surgery, enuresis (bed wetting) and urinary incontinence. The team has worked at Centro Médico Teknon since 1996 and also offer specialists in pediatric urology, as well as English speaking physiotherapists for pelvic floor disorders.

The Javier Bassas Dermatology Centre is a well-renowned dermatology and surgical centre equipped with the latest technology. The medical team, led by Dr. Javier Bassas Bresca, consists of surgical dermatology and venereology specialists with vast clinical and surgical experience. Their goal is to provide specialised, rigorous, efficient and accessible care, with the highest quality and ethical standards. Diagnosing and treating skin diseases is their priority, as well as offering the latest advances in dermoaesthetics.

Vilana 12, Office 24, Consult. Marquesa, C M Teknon T. 93 390 6940 Valencia 247, Barcelona Central Office T. 93 390 671 info.urologia@gmail.com www.teknon.es/web/batista

Consulta Balmes 24 1º1 T. 93 412 6602.

Teknon, Marquesa de Vilallonga nº 12. Consulta nº 34 1ª 08017 T. 93 290 6434 www.drbassas.com

Dr. Steven Joseph - DOCTOR An English doctor in Barcelona, Dr Steven Joseph is a member of The Royal College of General Practitioners and The Royal College of Psychiatrists. He offers a wide range of medical care, including family medicine, sexual health, mental health and access to all specialists and tests. Physiotherapy and chiropractic services are also available. Googol Medical Center provides comprehensive healthcare in a relaxed, friendly and discreet environment. Dr Joseph is happy to take your enquiries directly.

Gran Via Carles III 37-39, 08028 M. 662 291 191 www.englishdoctorbarcelona.com

ServiDigest - HEALTH ServiDigest have more than 40 years’ experience working in the health industry and are pioneers in colorectal cancer prevention. Nowadays, colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and prevention is the best treatment. Detecting symptoms at earlier stages is the key to a good outcome. However, if it is discovered at an advanced stage, it has a five-year survival rate. They have two important digestive screening programmes: the Colorectal Prevention Programme and the Digestive Cancer Prevention Programme.

ServiDigest. Thinking of people. Fostering prevention.

Medical and Surgical Center ServiDigest

Balmes 334, 08006 T. 93 415 3464/93 545 0990 Mon-Fri 9am-2pm and 4pm-9pm Sat 9am-2pm, Sun closed uad@servidigest.com www.servidigest.com

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Narayn Yadave AYURVEDIC DOCTOR Dr. Narayn is an expert in digestion disorders, diet and nutrition at Ayurveda Barcelona, an Ayurvedic Health Centre located in the “Les Corts” district behind L’Illa Diagonal.

The centre provides Ayurvedic consultancy, Ayurvedic treatments and massages, detox programmes and ongoing training in Ayurveda.

Carrer de L’Aviacio 11, 08029 T. 93 494 29 28 / M. 639 325 756 ayurvedabarcelona.net@gmail.com www.ayurvedabarcelona.net.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-8.30pm

6/23/17 12:13 PM

FREE CONSULTATION

Dr. Boj - DENTIST

Orthoestetic - DENTIST

Dr. Boj and his team offer specialised, comprehensive dental and orthodontic treatment for children and teens. Laser dentistry and invisible orthodontics are provided. Dr. Boj lectures on dentistry related to these age groups. He studied at the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Rochester, NY, USA. This is a fast and friendly service in an English-speaking, international environment.

The Orthoestetic Clinic is located in the heart of Barcelona near the Sagrada Familia. They have modern clinical facilities and equipment, which together with their extensive experience, allows them to offer an integral quality dentistry, designed to seek the satisfaction of the patients.

Dr. Holguin is a specialist in dental aesthetics, and orthopedics and orthodontics for children and adults.

She is certified by the Invisalign system.

Prats de Mollo 10, Bajos B, 08021 T. 93 209 3994 www.drboj.org

Diagonal 341, loc 1. 08037 T. 93 512 4749 M. 638 545 555 www.orthoestetic.es www.ortoesteticbcn.es info@orthoestetic.es

Platinum Provider

Hestía - PSYCHOTHERAPY

Goldie Uttamchandani LIFE, BUSINESS AND YOUTH COACH

Hestía International Psychotherapy Centre has become a reference in the city, due to its high quality multidisciplinary and multilingual profile. Their professional team works with individuals, couples and families through a variety of services and approaches to therapy and personal development. They speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Greek, Polish, Swedish, Russian and Catalan.

The first consultation is free.

Goldie is a bilingual ICF Certified Youth & Family Coach. It is her belief that in your teen years, you can truly unlock your highest potential as a human being. She is focused on accompanying this age group on navigating through this challenging and exciting journey to help them attain their goals. Try a complimentary first session and begin your journey on connecting with your true greatness.

M. 669 788 508 Skype: goldieuttam goldieuttam@gmail.com www.goldieuttam.com

Diagonal 343, 2º 3ª T. 93 459 2802 info@hestia.es www.hestia.es

NEST - NETWORK OF ENGLISH SPEAKING THERAPISTS

NETWORK OF ENGLISH SPEAKING THERAPISTS

The Barcelona Network of English Speaking Therapists (NEST) is a multidisciplinary group of qualified and practising psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists who live and work in and around Barcelona. NEST membersare English speakers that have their roots in training bodies and professional associations based elsewhere. A number of NEST members also speak Catalan, Spanish, Bulgarian, Dutch, German, Italian and Greek. For detailed information, please visit their website. www.barcelonaNEST.com

Eugenia Espinosa - ENGLISH

Dra. Susana Campi - DENTIST

SPEAKING PSYCHOLOGIST Eugenia is a licensed psycologist (col.

18602) and therapist for individuals, couples and families, who specialises in issues related to migration. Trained in Mexico, New York and Barcelona, she has a wealth of experience in treating individuals dealing with the complexities and stress of building a new life in a foreign country. She also offers comprehensive treatment for people going through depression, divorce or any other life-altering event.

New premises, new services and new state of the art equipment! For all your dental needs, their team of first-class professionals offer excellent treatment. They have over 35 years’ experience and provide services in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Catalan.

NEW ADDRESS Josep Tarradellas 97 local, 08029 Bus: 15,27,32,43,54,59,66,78 T. 93 321 4005 susanacampi1980@gmail.com www.clinicadentalcampi.com

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50% DISCOUNT ON 1ST VISIT

Santa Perpetua M. 677 090 479 genaespinosa@yahoo.com

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Yoga con Gracia - YOGA

Barcelona Quiropractic

An enchanting neighbourhood studio and community space with two locations in the heart of Gràcia.

Founded in 2004, you will find a friendly, international vibe in the gorgeous loft-style studios. YcG has something for everyone, from Hatha, Sivananda, Kundalini, Jivamukti (a fast-paced Vinyasa) to English, pre-natal and Mum and Baby yoga classes.

- CHIROPRACTOR Barcelona Quiropractic and its professional team have been serving the Barcelona community since 1995.

They value quality service, efficiency and dedication, delivering the best results in the shortest time possible.

The team provides a professional, yet friendly and family-oriented environment, catering to a wide range of patients. They aim to promote the integration of chiropractic into your lifestyle, to maintain health and wellbeing. Contact them for more information.

www.yogacongracia.com

Bikram Yoga - HOT YOGA

READER OFFER

Bikram Yoga has two centres in Barcelona with over 50 classes a week and options for children. Providing the ideal solution for back pain, stress, weight loss and other problems, their international team brings over 18 years’ experience. Reader offer: €25 for 10 days of unlimited yoga.

Pau Claris 97, Pral, 08009, T. 93 302 5130 Caravel•la la Niña 18, 08017, T. 93 205 0281 www.bikramyoga.es

Pl. Urquinaona 7, 08010 T. 93 412 3433 M. 601 059 849 info@barcelonaquiropractic.es www.barcelonaquiropractic.es

Stefan Becker - CHIROPRACTOR English-speaking, Australian-trained Chiropractor working in Barcelona. He specialises in gentle, comfortable techniques. He has over 23 years of experience managing back pain, neck pain, headaches, disc protrusions, and sciatica, but also with health and wellbeing. Emergencies on weekends.

30% OFF FIRST VISIT

Caponata 3, 08034. M. 646 684 402 Info@sarriaquiropractica.com http://sarriaquiropractica.es/

READER OFFER

Canvis - PSYCHOLOGIST

Janeth Solá - MASSAGE Janeth Solá Ayurveda Massage Therapies Centre offers treatment for back and joint pain, stress, fatigue, insomnia and Vata related disorders. This centre, located in the Sants district, is the ideal place for those looking to improve their physical health and state of mind, practise relaxation and receive nutritional advice and dietary coaching from an Ayurveda viewpoint.

Galileo 82. Sants. M. 655 560 162 janethsola@gmail.com www.janethsola.com Craniosacral Institute - OSTEOPATHY

Canvis offers an international environment, where you can be assisted in English, German, Dutch, Italian, French, Spanish & Catalan. They provide psychological assessment and treatment to families, adults, adolescents and children. Their committed team can help you through difficult periods and guide you to emotional well-being. Free introduction session.

M. 616 099 328 / 654 389 074 / T. 93 487 46 66 psicologia@canvis.net www.canvis.net

The institute provides services in Craniosacral Osteopathy, SomatoEmotional Release, and Massage Rebalancing, working holistically. The Institute delivers over 22 years’ experience of individual sessions to adults, children and babies.

M. 689 786 519 / 639 775 218 www.craneosacral-panizo.com/en/ www.terapias-adam.com/en/

Benedicte Taillard - HYPNOSIS, COACHING, REFLEXOLOGY, MASSAGE Benedicte provides you with the tools for, and helps you make the changes you need to enjoy a healthy, purposeful and fulfilling life on a daily basis. She guides you through accomplishing your aspirations, and becoming your best self-help.

M. 654 538 506 benedictetaillard@gmail.com www.reflexologybarcelona.com www.barcelonahipnoterapia.com

Jonathan Hooker - PSYCHOTHERAPIST Jonathan specialises in helping people to deal with change. This may be aspects of their life they would like to change or unexpected changes that they are dealing with. An English-speaking psychotherapist, counsellor, coach and guide, he helps people to improve their relationships and make sense of their lives.

M. 639 579 646 jonathan.hooker@yahoo.com www.jonathanhooker.com

READER OFFER

Emma Axelsson - THERAPIST & COACH

Symmetry Pilates - PILATES

Emma is a certified therapist who helps you handle life’s ups and downs, specialising in self-esteem and anxiety-related issues. The first introductory session is free of charge. She also provides group therapy for self-esteem. Visit her website for more information

Premium Pilates - NOT ‘get in, get knackered, get out!’

Most of the day we are sitting down at our computers, or in our cars. But, have you ever asked yourself whether you are sitting properly? Most back pain starts from the way we sit and from sitting for too long. Learn to sit correctly and your quality of life will improve. Unlike other forms of exercise, Pilates is targeted at those parts of the body where either correction – too long huddled over a computer for example – or strength is needed, as well as building up a strong core.

People who do Pilates know it’s all about quality not quantity, so the benefit is felt after only a few sessions. So, sign up at this trendy new city-centre studio (yoga & physio also available) and enjoy a complimentary massage.

Enric Granados 111 (entlo 2º) T. 93 531 3620 M. 637 693 073 info@symmetry.cat www.symmetry.cat

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READER OFFER

República Argentina 19, 08023 M. 685 837 223 em@owning-it.com www.owning-it.com

Pharmacy Serra Mandri - CHEMIST The pharmacy is open 365 days a year and offers a home delivery service. The staff can help and advise each client to ensure they get exactly what they need.

They also stock a great range of products, including homeopathy, natural medicine, aromatherapy and organic cosmetics.

Av. Diagonal 478 T. 93 416 1270 9am-10pm www.farmaciaserra.com

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Oliver Dawson CHIROPRACTOR Oliver Dawson is a chiropractor who focuses on the direct relationship between spinal structures and health.

Through specific spinal realignment and structural correction, better neurological connections are established throughout the nervous system. The result is less pain, more vitality and better health. Every Thursday from 8-9pm, Oliver offers free health activation workshops about the benefits of chiropractic and the key principles.To attend the workshop, please confirm by email and quote ‘Metropolitan’.

Georgina Weinstein VOICE COACH Georgina offers “Tone of Voice Coaching” to speakers, teachers, executives, singers, coaches, and anyone who wants to improve their abilities to communicate clearly.This includes techniques to achieve more volume, pitch, stage presence and confidence while practicing texts, songs and/or subjects that interest the student. Her combination of skills and experience help clients boost their confidence while preparing a repertoire, a presentation, or improving their diction. Classes are available in Spanish and English.

Sombrerers 27, Principal T. 93 268 3070 M. 622 772 623 oliver@bornquiro.com www.bornquiro.com

FREE REJUVENATING ROSEHIP MASK

M. 626 255 792 info@georginaweinstein.com www.georginaweinstein.com

Tàctum - HAIR SALON

The Vital Touch - MASSAGE What is Japanese Facelifting Massage? Japanese Facelifting Massage uses a sequence of massage techniques which act as a natural face lift with no need for surgery, helping make you look and feel younger. This combination of techniques helps improve the complexion, remove toxins from the face, prevent and remove facial wrinkles, reduce and release any muscle tension in the face and jaw.

Facelift Massage is to help prolong natural, true health and beauty, and to prevent disease. It makes you feel fantastic. Special discounted packs!

M. 659 995 657 nunu@thevitaltouch.es www.tvtbarcelona.com

Located in Gràcia, this friendly and welcoming salon has everything you need to feel special. They work together with clients to create a look that reflects their individual style and personality. They are experts in curly hair, hair colouring and above all the use of progressive vegetable hair dye, which harnesses the purity of water.

They can also advise you on the cut that best suits you.

10% DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

Torrent de L’Olla 85 (Metro Joanic) T. 93 217 9316 tactum@tacum.cat Tues-Thurs 10.30am-8.30pm Fri-Sat 9.30am-8.30pm www.tactum.es

Heaven - MASSAGE Ready to feel fantastic for spring?

Time to say ‘Adiós’ to muscular tension and stress?

Interested in organic, 100% fresh, products based on Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and European herbal ‘pharmacy’?

Let American-trained massage therapist Carrie Lewis draw on 15 years of experience and training to soothe you with deep therapeutic massage in conveniently located studios or in your home!

FREE REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT WITH ORGANIC PRODUCTS

M. 639 533 523 carrielewisbcn@gmail.com facebook.com/heavenbarcelona www.HeavenlyEco-Boutique.com

Lovecycle - FITNESS LOVECYCLE is a 45 minute highintensity, high-energy, cardio dance workout for the entire body (with signature core exercises and hand weights). Inspiring instructors, customised playlists and choreographed routines with a candlelit atmosphere will guide you through an invigorating fitness experience. It’s something you must try if you love music, dance and working out. See you on your bike!

FOR THE BEST ENGLISH-SPEAKING HEALTH & BEAUTY PROFESSIONALS IN BARCELONA, SEE OUR ONLINE DIRECTORY Doctors - Dentists - Psychologists Chiropractors - Therapists Yoga - Pilates Reflexology - Massage Fitness - Hair salons

Via Augusta 10 (Diagonal) T. 93 541 3149 hello@love-cycle.com www.love-cycle.com

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BUSINESS SERVICES

BCN Seguros - INSUrANcE This local Barcelona insurance agency provides complete personal and business insurance services (home, car, health, commercial, public liability, life, motor, yacht, travel, etc.). They offer a 30% cost-saving guarantee by keeping insurance coverage identical. Advice is available in Spanish, English and German.

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

To advertise in this section call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com See our online directory at

M. 636 465 010 rainerhobrack@gmail.com www.bcnseguros.es

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

AFT I URE LEGAL ABOGADOS LAWYERS

AFT IURE LEGAL -

Spain Accounting-

LAWYErS

TAX & BUSINESS SErvIcES

Albert Forment offers legal services to the Barcelona community in English, German and French. He specialises in family law, criminal law, civil law and taxation. Drawing from a wealth of experience, Forment ensures reliability and clarity for clients, and holds sincerity and honesty at the core of his services. contact him today for a free introductory consultation.

Qualified UK accountant with 30 years experience in Spain offers: • tax services for freelance “autónomos” and small SLs • income tax returns for employees and non-residents • practical advice on setting up a business in Spain • registration of “autónomos” and company incorporation (SL) • personalised advice on your tax obligations in Spain • fast, reliable email service

RECHTSANWÄLTE

Contact David Cook on M. 678 702 369 info@spainaccounting.com www.spainaccounting.com

M. 616 614 764 abforment@gmail.com

READER OFFER Klev & Vera - LAW FIrm

Sánchez Molina LEGAL PrAcTIcE

This firm specialises in attending to the legal needs of international clients in Spain. It understands that starting a business in a foreign country can be daunting, especially in Spain, where the system is complicated and taxes can be a hindrance.

This is where their experience in advising international clients how to set up businesses in Spain can help you make smarter decisions, saving you thousands of euros in the long term.

The lawyers at Sánchez molina speak English, Spanish, Italian and French. They can help with your business licensing services, legal defence and representation, registration under any form of ownership, accounting services and work and residency permits.

They have a multilingual team of lawyers with international backgrounds, specialising in different areas of legal practice including: real Estate, Business Set Up, Spanish residency, Family Law, Litigation, Tax Planning.

Valencia 281, 2-2 T. 93 176 0190 info@klevvera.com www.klevvera.com

Gran Via Carles III, 84, 5 T. 93 490 9669 javiergarcia@sanchezmolina.com www.sanchezmolina.com

NIE Barcelona

Corsa International -

- BUSINESS

DrIvING ScHooL

NIE Barcelona is a service that helps foreigners resolve all the paperwork needed for living and working in Barcelona. Their main focus is on helping to secure the NIE for EU and NoN-EU citizens in a fast and efficient way. They can also help with other administrative procedures, such as social security numbers, empadronamiento, autónomo set up, and change of driving license.

corsa driving school in Barcelona offers both theoretical classes and practical driving lessons in English. Their friendly and experienced instructors will give you the confidence to drive comfortably in the city and help you learn about Spanish road systems. They have both manual and automatic practice vehicles. call now and ask about special metropolitan reader offers!

Beethoven 16, Bajos, 08021 T. 93 200 3324 M. 603 209 403 info@niebarcelona.com www.niebarcelona.com

international@autoescuelacorsa.com www.autoescuelacorsa.com www.facebook.com/CorsaInternational/

Master Cerrajeros

PWN Barcelona - NoN ProFIT

-

LOCKSMITH

PWN Barcelona is part of a global movement working towards gender balanced leadership through professional development and a range of networking options: in-person, online, cross-industry, and international. They offer mentoring programmes and an EU Business School certified virtual programme for entrepreneurs. regular events include 2nd Tuesday Networking Drinks and professional development workshops. “Let’s advance how men and women work together”.

Locked out? Master Cerrajeros are English-speaking specialists who provide emergency lock replacement services at competitive rates, 24/7.

They work with locks for metal shutters, automatic systems, safety doors, security systems, fences and balconies, access control and more.

www.pwnbarcelona.net members@pwnbarcelona.net www.facebook.com/pwnbarcelona/

M. 607 886 622 www.mastercerrajeros.com

Act Habitat - ArcHITEcTS

Barcelona Women’s Network - NoNProFIT

They can help…

• Barcelona’s premier network for international women.

• Approx. 200 members from 20+ countries.

• As a social club that supports local organisation, activities include social gatherings, cultural outings, volunteer opportunities, and networking & promotional opportunities. We help women thrive in Barcelona.

create your perfect living or work space. Get the most out of your investment. Acheive a healthy and sustainable environment. Deal with paperwork and permits. manage the building works and costs. choose the best firm for the job. Coordinate with the neighbours. Get in touch for more information.

Avinyó 6, 1º 2ª, 08002 T. 93 318 7121 info@act-habitat.com www.act-habitat.com

Supported charities 2016 - 2018 membership@bcnwomensnetwork.com

president@bcnwomensnetwork.com www.bcnwomensnetwork.com

Handyman - HomE SErvIcES

Geo Mac - comPUTErS

mark offers honest, transparent, efficient, English/Spanish/Swedish speaking handyman services. He can help you hang a mirror, paint a room, install reverse osmosis, hang blinds or curtains, do home repairs, assemble Ikea furniture and he can even fix up your place, assiting the process of retrieving your “fianza” from your landlord. Hourly rates. real time updates.

George cowdery is a freelance mac technician who has been providing valuable support to the mac community in Barcelona for over 15 years. Among the services he offers, George can help clients with maintenance and upgrades, hard drive replacement and ADSL setup.

He can also provide consulting and tutorials according to his clients’ needs.

M. 645 691 475 mark@handymanbarcelona.com www.handymanbarcelona.com Facebook handymanbarcelona74

M. 606 308 932 machelp@geomac.es www.geomacbcn.com

Gabor Arato rEmovAL SErvIcES Gabor can help with any removal work no matter the size, providing transportation and removal services for anyone located within Barcelona or just outside. He offers competitive prices of only €15 per hour. contact now for more information and special offers.

M. 633 596 188 gabsmudanzas@gmail.com

Fábrica de Flyers - BUSINESS

Yacht Point Barcelona - SAILING ScHooL

Fábrica de Flyers brings the successful concept of high class printing and design to Barcelona at competitive prices and provides a quality service to match. Eight years of experience in the German market made them one of the leading printing agencies, with clients all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Fábrica de Flyers is not an advertisment agency, but the best partner to create your publicity!

Yacht Point rYA Training centre is a leading provider of online navigation theory courses & sailing tuition in Barcelona.

They offer: - online navigation theory courses & Sailing tuition.

- obtain your competent crew, Day Skipper, coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster with us!

- courses for beginners to advanced sailors.

- Day charter trips for private groups.

Their courses are suitable for complete beginners to advanced sailors.

‘We want to share our passion with you, we are more than a Sailing School!’

Pujades 74-80, 3º 7ª, 08005 T. 93 485 6422 info@fabricadeflyers.com www.fabricadeflyers.com

T. 93 004 5707 info@yachtpointbcn.com http://yachtpointbcn.com/en/rya-training-centre/

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

#mrsqdesignstudio Coccinelle - HomE SErvIcES

Mrs.Q Design Studio - GrAPHIc DESIGN

Do you need a nanny, housekeeper or chauffeur? coccinelle specialises in providing highly-skilled, experienced domestic staff in Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Due to their expertise and rigorous selection methods, they are able to provide seasoned professionals for both permanent or temporary positions to suit your needs.

mrs.Q Design Studio offers a range of specialised design services. Their small business package includes branding, stationery design and advertising for print and web. They also design promotional material such as flyers, posters and brochures. mrs. Q designs bespoke invitations for weddings and special occasions. Their designs are inspired by watercolour paintings merged with contemporary design. If you would like a custom painting, designed especially for you, they can create a design that you’re sure to love. visit their Etsy shop to view her work www.etsy.com/shop/MrsQdesignstudio.

Coccinelle is a reference in the domestic staff sector, that’s why more than 700 families have trusted in their services.

You can arrange everything from the comfort of your own home. call them today and quote metropolitan free consultation

Pau Claris 151 M. 93 010 9758 Info@coccinelle-agency.com www.coccinelle-agency.com

mrsqdesignstudio@gmail.com www.mrsqdesignstudio.com Instagram #mrsqdesignstudio

Oak House - ScHooL

BCN L.I.P. - LANGUAGE ScHooL

Founded in 1968, pupils at Oak House are taught according to the UK national curriculum in early years and primary education. Secondary pupils follow a multilingual programme, with a firm emphasis on English. Oak House offers IGCSE qualifications to help prepare students for university courses in English.

The school also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in English, as well as the National Bachillerato programme. The school’s modern installations are conducive to an active learning style. Their motto is ‘building futures’.

BcN LIP language school is a small school located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter offering a wide variety of dynamic classes for those wishing to learn Spanish, catalan, English, French, German, Portuguese, russian, Italian, Japanese, chinese and Hebrew. The courses are intensive and extensive, varying from four - 30 hours a week, monday to Saturday.

The teachers are qualified native speakers, with several years of experience.

They also offer specialised summer programmes, excursions and cultural activities for the students. They can also help you with your student visa and finding a place to live.

Sant Pere Claver 12-18, 08017 T. 93 252 40 20 www.oakhouseschool.com

Avinyó 50, 08002 T. 93 318 6591 info@bcnlip.com www.bcnlip.com

CIBERVIRREINA - comPUTEr SErvIcE open until 11pm every day of the week, they can repair your computer in 24/48 hours using well-tested procedures. repairing software and hardware failures, saving your personal files and returning your computer fully operative. In addition to having internet access they do printing, copying and binding jobs.

D'Astúries 78 (Plaça de la Virreina, Gràcia).

T. 93 368 5770 serviciocliente@cibervirreina.com

BritSat - SATELLITE Tv missing out on British Tv? Not to worry. With their latest equipment, extensive experience and fantastic after-sales service, they provide all UK and European TV via satellite and Internet installations. So don’t miss out on all the summer sporting action, phone or email Britsat for a competitive quote and expert advice.

M. 649 605 917 info@britsatlive.com www.britsatlive.com

Ibex - INSUrANcE SErvIcES Ibex have been in operation since 2000 and have grown to be one of the largest insurance providers for the expatriate community in Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar. They can insure your car, motorbike, home, pet, health, holiday home, boat, travel, business and provide funeral plans and more. ibexdirect@ibexinsure.com T. 900 102 527 www.ibexinsure.com

Connecta Languages - TrANSLATorS Professional translation and proofreading services based in Barcelona. Performed by qualified linguists, at affordable rates and with quick turnaround. contact them today and say goodbye to language barriers.

M. 691 543 312 mlopez@connecta-languages.com Skype: mlopez_connecta www.connecta-languages.com

FOR THE BEST ENGLISH-SPEAKING BUSINESSES IN BARCELONA, SEE OUR ONLINE DIRECTORY Lawyers - Accountants - Language schools Business schools - Computer technicians Real estate - Insurance - Electricians Plumbers - Graphic design Driving schools - Sailing schools Babysitting services - Translators International schools - Printing services

JOB

DIRECTORY To advertise in this section call: 93 451 4486 or email: ads@barcelona-metropolitan.com We also have a new job section on our free classifieds

www.classifieds.barcelona-metropolitan.com

COACHING COLUMN

SAM SAYS...

TO SEEM EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT, YOU HAVE TO BE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT Dear Sam, I’ve been reading a lot about managers being more inclined to hire people who have a heightened emotional intelligence. I have an interview for a startup in Barcelona next week and as much as I want to make sure I sound smart, I’d love to showcase my ‘emotional skills’ as well.

I’m just not sure how to go about it. I guess what I’m wondering is how do you convey to people that you’re emotionally gifted? Any tips that might help for my upcoming interview are greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much, Emotionally Curious

Hi Emotionally Curious, It’s a great question. Emotional intelligence is one of my favourite topics and you’re right in that it’s quite in vogue right now, especially with regards to professional development and career growth. The best way to be perceived as being emotionally intelligent is to actually possess emotional intelligence. So I’d say the first place to start is to better understand what emotional intelligence looks like.

There are several definitions and I’d refer you to Daniel Goleman (danielgoleman.info/ topics/emotional-intelligence), ‘godfather’ of the movement, for a more clinical explanation.

In a nutshell, however, having a high EQ means being able to identify and control your emotions. One of the biggest differentiators between people whose emotional intelligence is highly developed and those whose isn’t, is the ability to name and identify your emotions in the moment. This means being able to stop yourself mid-sentence and realise: “I’m being defensive right now” or “I’m projecting my anger”. This is extremely hard, yet if you can master it, you’ll be able to have more control over the situation, your behaviour and ultimately your life.

Doing this takes a lot of practice and is only one piece of the emotional intelligence puzzle.

Other areas include empathy and knowing how to calm yourself down—otherwise known as self-soothing techniques. It’s a lot to take in, so while you’re working on the above for your interview, here are a few key things you can do (before and during) that might help enhance that air of emotional intelligence: 1: Ask yourself what you’re feeling: Several times a day, stop and ask yourself in the moment what you’re feeling. Name and identify the emotion and then move on. This gets you into the habit of checking in with your emotions when you’re calm, so that when you find yourself in a heated situation, you’ll be more inclined to stop and reflect, rather than react rashly.

2: Listen: Listening is connected to empathy. It’s been said that only two percent of the population listens properly and if you’re able to be part of that two percent, you’ll make a lasting impression on whoever you meet. If you want to stand out in this interview, listen intently, listen with an open mind and take yourself out of the equation. This will allow you to ‘hear between the lines’ and will give you greater insight into the situation and the person you’re speaking to.

3: Roll with it: Emotionally intelligent people are able to deal with stress and unplanned situations. No matter what happens with the interview, if it’s running late, if they throw you off with a question or if something unexpected happens—just go with it. Breathe, smile and have fun! The latter being something we often forget but makes a world of difference.

Sam Mednick is a professional life and executive coach based in Barcelona (blueprintcoaching.ca). A Canadian native, she’s been living in the city for eight years, working with companies as well as individuals, focusing on transitions, communication, leadership training, time management and productivity as well as emotional intelligence development. For more coaching tips, tune into her podcast: blueprintcoaching.podomatic.com

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AustRAlIAN joEl sARAKulA & bAND

opening night of ‘in my taxi’ ESPRONCEDA 326. JUNE 1ST

HENRIK AND RYAN opening of exhibition at arteria BRUC 147. JUNE 14TH

MARIA, zWAANtjE AND AlExsANDRA

By Ben Rowdon

SCOOP

WEbERtH, VINcENt, oNKE, ANDREW AND ANDREzj

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