Barcelona Metropolitan Issue 252

JANUARY 2018 Nยบ 252

READY, STEADY ...GO!

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MUSIC

SHOPPING

RIDE ON

5 CYCLING ROUTES

SNOWBOUND

SKIING IN THE CATALAN PYRENEES

SHARING IS CARING

THE COHOUSING CONCEPT

NEW IN TOWN

STREETLIFE

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 252 · JANUARY 2018

20 REPORT: MI CASA ES TU CASA Esther Jones reports on cohousing—a practical approach to living together

25 NEW HEIGHTS Taking yoga to another level

26 HIT THE GROUND RUNNING Tips for keeping fit on two feet

IN THE CITY

44 THE VERY PRESENT FUTURE

06 08 11 12 15 16 18 46

A new series of interviews begins with Priscilla Lavoie

48 CULTURE CLUB Societies of foreign residents in Barcelona

New in town Streetlife Five things A place of my own History Best of Shopping Photo essay

WHAT’S ON 32 36 40 42

Music Art Misc Calendar

WORKING LIFE 53 Startup of the month 54 Funding 56 A day in the life

TRAVEL 58 Skiing 62 Sant Cugat

FOOD & DRINK 64 Restaurant review 66 Quick bites 68 Recipe TRAVEL P.58

METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTORS Publisher The Noise Lab S.L. Founder Esther Jones Director Andrea Moreno Senior Editor Carol Moran Contributing Editor Rachel Huffman Art Director Aisling Quigley Sales Director Jalil Alui Client Care Manager Aminah Barnes Digital Analyst Richard Cardwell Office Manager Marina Piegari Editorial Assistants Garry Gallon, Lottie Hanwell, Natalia Quiros-Edmunds, Charlotte Stace Design Assistant Valeria Kalinova Contributors Misty Barker, Paul Cannon, J.S. von Dacre, Natalie Donback, Sophie Heywood, Catherine Howley, Sam Mednick, Will Shank, Tara Stevens, Sam Zucker Illustrator Ben Rowdon Photographer Tash McCammon, Harry Escott 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

BLANCHE CARRERAS DAVID Blanche studied photography and film at Edinburgh Napier University and graduated with first-class honours. During her studies, she exhibited in Edinburgh and London, and participated in an exchange programme with OCAD University, Toronto. After graduating, Blanche returned to her hometown, Barcelona, to pursue a career in photography.

She has worked as an assistant photographer and studio manager for two years, organising exhibitions at ARCOmadrid, Galeria Senda, Barcelona, and ZONAMACO, Mexico.

SOPHIE HEYWOOD Sophie is an independent brand consultant and journalist specialising in health, fitness and luxury lifestyle brands and content. She is also a fully qualified personal trainer, yoga teacher and yoga therapist-in-training, and has worked with brands including BodySpace, HelloFresh, Welltodo London, Transition Zone, Pure Sports Medicine, #GirlGains and more. Sophie is currently living in Barcelona, occasionally returning to London for work—but only when she has to.

NATALIA QUIROS-EDMUNDS A lover of languages, literature and the arts, Natalia is studying Spanish and English literature at Durham University. Originally from Barcelona and now living in Wales, she speaks Spanish, Welsh and English and is improving her Catalan whilst in the city. Having published poetry, she spends her spare time reading and writing and has acted in numerous university productions. She is immensely enjoying working as an editorial assistant at Metropolitan, as well as the places it has allowed her to discover.

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IN THE CITY

new in town A BOLD CONCEPT CARO Y LINA. MALLORCA 243.  CAROYLINA.COM Oksana McCaskie is a successful interior and fashion designer. Although she has worked across Lithuania, the UK and Spain, it was always her dream to open her own concept store, and Barcelona felt like the ideal location. “I fell in love with the cosmopolitan style here,” McCaskie said. In a prime space just off Rambla de Catalunya, Caro y Lina is dedicated to stylish women’s fashion, accessories, stationery and body cosmetics. The shop’s name is derived from ‘Carolina’, the name of McCaskie’s daughter, and its products stand out for their bold designs from elegant European brands, such as Gustav, YAYA and House Doctor, at reasonable prices. “Right now, our best seller is the Jillian suit from Kaffe,” she revealed. “Our typical customer is a modern woman, between 27 and 60 years old, who needs an elegant, yet comfortable, versatile look that allows her to feel good in any dayto-day situation.”

FLIPPING BURGERS GOIkO GRILL. PG. de SANt JOAN 58.  GOIKOGRILL.COM When young Venezuelan Andoni Goicoechea landed in Madrid to pursue a career in medicine, he had no idea that he would soon be swapping his stethoscope for a spatula. Four years down the line, Goicoechea is the driving force behind a rapidly expanding burger enterprise, Goiko Grill. There are already 26 restaurants across Spain, the latest of which recently opened on Passeig de Sant Joan. With the help of his father and sister, Goicoechea put together a menu of gourmet burgers made using locally sourced beef, freshly made sauces and artisanal bread. American classics are spruced up with twists of Spanish and Venezuelan flavour, such as the ‘Aita’ burger with Ardiona cheese and piquillo peppers appearing alongside more typical combinations of bacon, American cheese and fried onions.

Each branch of Goiko Grill has its own individual character, with a special burger unique to that restaurant chosen by waiters and cooks prior to opening. The dining area’s exposed brick walls, low-hanging lights and neon red sign create a funky atmosphere in which to get your meat fix.

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BACK TO NATURE BICNIC. GIRONA 68.  BICNIC.COM Opened in October, Bicnic brings a slice of nature to the city. The interior is furnished with picnic-style tables and decorated in shades of green, inspired by the Catalan countryside, with silhouettes of the Pedraforca and La Mola mountains on the walls and birdsong playing in the bathrooms. The restaurant area has a ‘slow’ menu, which includes sirloin steak with buttered truffle and potatoes, lamb terrine with smoked eggplant cream and mint pesto, and pork chops with pumpkin purée, all served in a laid-back atmosphere. The bar, on the other hand, offers food for those on-the-go, such as freshly made sandwiches, tostadas, salads and tapas. Both menus are based on what joint owner Nacho Rodríguez terms ‘gastrorustico’—a modern take on hearty cuisine.

COME ON INTO MY KITCHEN LA GAStRONOMICA. VILAMARÍ 9-15.  FACEBOOK.COM/LAGASTRONOMICABCN Owner Dani Zara has taken 20 years of experience as a top chef in Barcelona and poured it into his own cosy restaurant on the corner of Avinguda de Mistral with Carrer de Vilamarí. A Mediterranean cuisine with international influences, this fourmonth-old melting pot of flavour serves affordable, high quality food made with ingredients you won’t find in your local supermarket. With an open kitchen, Zara has created an intimate dining area, where he invites his customers to make themselves at home. “The restaurant is like my kitchen at home; I cook the food I like to eat,” he explained. La Gastronomica’s star dishes are simply presented and include the earthy dados de berenjena con miel de caña (aubergine with cane honey), sweet costilla de cerdo (pork rib) and hearty wok de verduras (vegetable stir-fry).

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IN THE CITY

streetlife

CARRER AMPLE

Where the Gothic Quarter meets Port Vell, this busy, cosmopolitan street has welcomed change without neglecting its past

No 18 Safrà

Photo by Sam Zucker

This family-owned restaurant offers traditional Catalan cuisine with a modern twist. Owner Teresa Menero comes from a long line of restaurateurs and artists and, as a writer herself, she often hosts poetry and art circle dinners at Safrà.

The eclectic mix of contemporary art and traditional decor reflects the fusion of old and new in the cuisine; many of the original architectural features are intact, including exposed stone walls and a wooden side door that dates back to when the space was a cowshed and dairy parlour. Traditional dishes include xató (an almond, hazelnut and breadcrumb sauce served with an endive salad) and Pyrenean favourite, trinxat de la Cerdanya (a combination of potatoes, cabbage and pork meat). safra18.es

No 14 Truffles & Wine Barcelona

This boutique specialises in more than 50 products made with the highest quality Croatian and Italian white and black truffles. The first of its kind in Barcelona, owner Stephan Maric opened the shop a year ago to provide the neighbourhood with truffle-infused cheese, sausage and olive oil, as well as fresh truffle, which, once ordered, is available in 24 hours. Maric’s best-sellers are olive oil infused with white truffle from the Istria region of Croatia and his award-winning black truffle cheese, but all the store’s products can be tasted free of charge, so you can select your own favourite. Formerly known as Zigante Truffles, the shop has recently changed its name due to the popularity of its monthly wine and truffle tasting, priced at €15 per person. facebook.com/truffles.wine

No 28 Papabubble

Founded in Barcelona in 2004, these handmade sweets have reached cities far and wide, from Tokyo and Beijing to Amsterdam, New York and São Paulo.

Papabubble’s aim is to recover the ancient artisanal sweet-making process and give it a present-day spin. Its multi-flavoured sweet assortments include fruit, citrus, sour, gummy or chocolate; colourful, creatively shaped lollipops; and sweets crafted to look like sushi, books and roses, to name but a few. papabubble.com

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INTERNATIONAL

DAYCARE ENGLISH - SPANISH

 We are an international pre-

school for children aged 1-4 years old, open on weekdays.

playground is available for  Our children aged 1-7 years old,

No 35

open in the evenings and at the weekend.

 We organise fun and interactive

Penny Banger

themed birthday parties.

 Our venue is available to rent for family and child-related corporate events.

COME TO VISIT US AT OUR OPEN DAYS

16th Jan, 3rd Feb, 5th Apr

ENROLMENT

OPEN

FOR JAN/FEB Santalò 126-130

peekaboo-center.com

T. 93 461 3045 M. 648 218 973

peekaboo_bcn

Photo by Sam Zucker

This cafe-cocktail bar sits in the 16th-century Palau Mornau, re-designed by Modernista architect Manuel Joaquim Raspall i Mayol in 1908. The main part of the building houses the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, but nestled below its impressive stained glass bay window is the effortlessly cool and quirky Penny Banger. Ronan Daly and Annie McKiernan from Ireland, along with McKiernan’s husband, Stephen Scott, from Manchester, opened the bar four years ago, blending lounge vibes with a deli-style menu, para picar. “Stephen came up with the mural,” McKiernan said, pointing at the digitalised collage, inspired by classical art, that covers an entire wall. This, along with the dim lighting, candles and cushions, makes for a luxurious setting to sip unusual cocktails. ‘Penny Lane’ (Pimm’s, gin, cranberry, seasonal fruits and lemonade) and ‘Bee Sting’ (Maker’s Mark whiskey, tequila, honey, apple juice and ginger) are the most popular.

There’s also a selection of craft beers on offer, with a new guest artisanal beer every couple of weeks, and an extensive wine list. penny-banger.com

No 35-40 NewPhono

Founded in 1906 by Don José Massó Armadans, today NewPhono is run by the fourth generation of the Massó family. José and Elena Massó del Amor took over the musical instrument shop in the Eighties, continuing more than 100 years of tradition. “The shop has changed with the times,” said José, explaining how the product range has grown over the years, from gramophones and pianos to electronic instruments. Today, they sell well-respected international brands, including Fender and Roland, as well as the traditional Spanish handmade guitar brand, Alhambra. newphono.com

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FIVE THINGS

WHEELS IN MOTION Get back in action after the holidays with these cycling routes

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MONTJUÏC. 6KM

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COLLSEROLA. 11.5KM

A world of history, gardens, Olympic facilities and museums, the imposing hill of Montjuïc is also a cyclist’s paradise. While this six-kilometre route to the top of Montjuïc and back down the other side provides quintessential Barcelona views and a touch of greenery, it includes some steep inclines and is not for the faint-hearted.

Starting at the Columbus Monument, it runs along the palm tree-lined Passeig Josep Carner to the base of Montjuïc before ascending up Carretera de Miramar. This road takes you past the Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera, the curious botanical garden specialising in cacti, before it turns into Avinguda Miramar and then Avinguda de l’Estadi, at which point you’ll reach the peak of your journey in front of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The real fun starts on your descent, as you freewheel around a wide bend and speed past Poble Espanyol and CaixaForum on your way to Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina and Plaça d’Espanya.

Begin this more challenging route at Plaça d’Alfonso Comín at the foot of Collserola. Although not absolutely necessary, you might feel sturdier using a mountain bike to conquer this path. Set off along Carrer de Josep Garí, which joins Avinguda del Tibidabo. Follow the road around as it skirts Parc de la Font del Racó and Plaça del Doctor Andreu, before it becomes Carrer Manuel Arnús.

At the top of Manuel Arnús, turn left onto Carretera de les Aigües, which you will follow for the rest of your mountain journey. This hillside running and bicycle path traverses the Serra de Collserola and offers plenty of photo opportunities along the way. After reaching the Mirador dels Xiprers, head downhill towards Parc de Cervantes, or pedal on to the end of the path and regain your strength with some tapas on the terrace at Espai Mireia.

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Beginning at Parc del Fòrum, this 16-kilometre route weaves its way through an industrial zone and into Badalona before following the coast as far as Premià de Mar. A paved cycle path runs the majority of the way, so you will not encounter much vehicular traffic. Stop off and explore the seaside towns of Montgat and El Masnou en route, or, if you fancy a break on the beach, each new stretch of sand has its own chiringuitos to choose from. As the path lies parallel to the railway, it’s possible to cut your trip short and hop on the train.

BESÒS RIVER. 10KM

Enjoy an afternoon along the river with this easy route beginning in Parc del Litoral at the mouth of the Besòs, which separates Barcelona from Santa Coloma de Gramenet. Follow the river inland, passing through Parc Fluvial de Besòs, until you reach Montcada i Reixac, where you can tuck into a well-deserved, traditional Catalan lunch at Masía de Reixac. During the latter half of the 20th century, the Besòs was known as one of Europe’s most polluted waterways due to its proximity to the city’s industrial zone.

Thankfully, it has received a facelift in recent years with a large-scale urban renewal project, which cleaned up the river and its banks and introduced new bike paths.

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5

MARESME COAST. 16KM

SITGES. 45KM

Popular amongst more experienced cyclists, this route leads to the coastal town of Sitges. Heading south from Barcelona, take the C-245 through Viladecans, Gavà and Castelldefels, then the C-246 to reach the Garraf Natural Park. Turn right onto Urb. Rat-Penat to start the ascent into the park, surrounded by steep limestone hills and caves. The track is narrow, but it’s paved and provides sweeping views of the sea. Continue on to Carrer de Migjorn, keeping left when the road forks. After a little less than seven kilometres, turn left at Carrer de la Fita to exit the park. Veer left with the road as it becomes Avinguda Camí Pla 31 (don’t jump the curb and continue straight onto the dirt path), then, at the roundabout, take the second exit onto Carrer Pruelles.

Proceed onto Avinguda Camí de la Fita, at which point you’ll be almost back at sea level and less than a kilometre from the centre of Sitges and Platja de Sant Sebastià.

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IN THE CITY

A PLACE OF MY OWN

THIS HOUSE ON A HILL IS A SPACIOUS HOME FOR ASTRID AAFJES AND HER FAMILY

D

utch entrepreneur and founder of the NGO Women Win, Astrid Aafjes, first moved to Spain with her family back in 2010, with the intention of staying for one year. Seven years later they are still here, having fallen for the Mediterranean climate and easy-going Spanish lifestyle. When the family first arrived they settled in Sitges, but after finding life there a little too laid-back, they opted for city living instead. It was important to Astrid that their new home be spacious enough for the whole family, preferably with a garden area for the summer months—a tall order in Barcelona. She struck gold when she stumbled across a listing for a large house in the hilly neighbourhood of Vallcarca, complete with a garden, city views, and right next door to Park Gϋell; ideal for regular walks with their dog, Chili.

When Astrid found the property listing, it had already been posted online for months, so she didn’t have high hopes for it, but upon visiting she immediately loved the little road winding up to the house. Away from the city’s neatly organised grids, it stands in a more rugged, irregular area peppered with graffiti and simple architecture. “Although it may not be as chic as other neighbourhoods, we like the grittiness of the area, as well as its distinctly local feel,” Astrid explained.

The house is perched on a slope along a meandering lane, which, although making it a little difficult to reach, provides it with a great vantage point over the city below. With four bedrooms, a large kitchen and multiple living areas across three storeys, there is certainly no shortage of space. A shrub-lined garden with an oval-shaped swimming pool is ideal for lazy afternoons and lengthy lunches in the summer sun. Having found a house that ticked all the boxes, the next challenge was for the family, who arrived in Spain with just four suitcases, to fill the space and make it a home.

Evidence of Astrid’s fondness of the urban aesthetic is visible in the interior design of the home. Upon entering, a high-ceilinged, open-plan living area is accented with colourful works by local

graffiti artists. At one end of the room, a chunky pine table paired with a set of white Eames chairs sits beneath a low-hanging wooden pendant light, against a backdrop of brightly coloured book spines lining white wooden bookshelves. Overlooking the table is a vibrant recreation of a famous Pulp Fiction still, in which the gun-wielding figures of John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are replaced with Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. It serves as a good representation of the house’s general design, which blends light-hearted, colourful and modern pieces with more traditional elements, natural materials and muted tones.

Whilst not adhering to one style, Astrid lists the Nordic aesthetic as a design influence, although she is wary of letting it become too uniform or clinical: “There must be some sort of soul.” Objects accumulated on the family’s travels add character without overcomplicating the space. A weighty metal sculpture of a crouching female figure, which Astrid bought whilst living in Cambodia, sits on a bookshelf, while a photographic portrait of an Ethiopian girl in traditional headdress dominates the main wall of the sitting area.

The latter is one of Astrid’s most treasured pieces, having worked to empower women in numerous African countries with Women Win. Although the terms of renting prevented the family from transforming the house entirely, Astrid painted the walls white, bringing a fresh contrast to the dark wooden panelling. When choosing furniture, she paired fabrics with the natural materials used in the house: “When I saw all the wood and the living room’s large stone fireplace, I knew it needed a leather couch.” A long, dark brown leather sofa sits opposite more contemporary armchairs, including a tan-coloured Butterfly (or BKF) chair, creating an effortless fusion of old and new. Small stool-like tables fashioned from knotted wood add to the room’s alpine feel, while a wild boar’s head is mounted on the wall, comically adorned with a pair of Aviator sunglasses. The result is a warm-hued, cosy seating area perfect for winter evenings spent lounging in front of the crackling log fire—no wonder it’s Astrid’s favourite corner of the house.

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Photos by Harry Escott

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

Natural materials and unique works of art lend this Vallcarca house a homely feel

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HISTORY

BITTERSWEET THE ASSASSINATION OF ‘SUGAR BOY’, A TRADE UNION ACTIVIST

By Catherine Howley

Location: carrer de Sant rafaeL with rambLa deL ravaL

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n the corner of carrer de Sant rafael with rambla del raval, the memory of an assassination is inscribed on a ceramic plaque. the victim, Salvador Seguí, was murdered at this location on march 10th, 1923. commonly known to his associates as ‘Noi de Sucre’ (‘Sugar boy’), due to his habit of eating a lump of sugar before drinking coffee, Seguí is commemorated as a ‘defender of the working class’. a native of tornabous—a village in the province of Lleida—he moved to barcelona with his family around the turn of the 20th century, in search of work and stability. at that time, however, the city’s working class was far from stable. deplorable living and working conditions, together with a lack of regulations and basic rights, meant that Seguí experienced this precarious reality firsthand. He had a strong social conscience and quickly became involved in workers’ movements and protests in his adopted city, as well as the organisation of trade unions fighting for better conditions. By 1910, Seguí had become a key figure in the anarchosyndicalist movement, the confederación nacional del trabajo (cnt).

Playing a leading role in making the cnt a mass movement, Seguí was opposed to the paramilitary and terrorist actions advocated and carried out by other members of the union, supporting instead a nonviolent approach in the politicisation of the working class.

A non-violent approach, however, was easier said than done. It was a time of violent tension between workers and employers in barcelona, and disputes were often settled at gunpoint. by the twenties, many of the industrial employers of barcelona, in reaction to the increasing presence and power of the anarchist union, decided to set up their own unions.

These so-called ‘free unions’ employed armed gangsters to kill CNT members in an attempt to quell the mobilisation of workers—a period that became known as pistolerismo.

Sugar boy became one of their targets. walking through the raval after a meeting about preparations to promote the idea of emancipation as a form of social empowerment among workers, he was shot dead by one of the employed hitmen. outrage swept the community, not only because Seguí was a beloved character and a voice of reason among anarcho-syndicalists, but also because his death was yet another example of how unsafe daily life in the old neighbourhoods had become. with the death of Sugar boy, the catalan anarchist movement lost one of its protagonists and allowed more radical sectors to take over the cnt.

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BEST OF

ZEST FOR LIFE JUICE YOUR WAY TO HEALTH AND START THE YEAR TOXIN-FREE FRUITECA

aribau 156. fruiteca.cat Under the Beatles-inspired slogan ‘All You Need Is Juice’, Fruiteca, in the Eixample, combines high quality fruit and veg to produce more than 20 colourful cold-pressed juices, purées, smoothies and milks. Built on the experience of three generations of greengrocers, the Tordera family opened the juice bar to get the best out of natural ingredients. By using cold-press technology—a hydraulic process that relies on pressure to extract the maximum amount of liquid from fresh fruits and vegetables—Fruiteca ensures that each juice is packed full of nutrients. Keeping in tune with their slogan, all their juices are named after classic throwback songs: ‘Karma Police’ (a vibrant purple blend of kale, beetroot, carrot and lime), ‘Common People’ (an immune system booster with orange, apple and carrot) and ‘Beautiful Day’ (an antiaging mix of carrot, pineapple, apple, banana and cinnamon), to name just a few.

THE JUICE HOUSE

Parlament 12. thejuicehouse.es Caracas-born owners Luz Cortázar and Dani Luzzatto opened The Juice House in 2014 to share their love of clean, lean recipes. The Sant Antoni space boasts a colourful mural, exposed brick walls, industrial light bulbs and rustic wooden tables that create a cosy atmosphere in which to enjoy a fine selection of punchy juices.

Most notable are the ‘Hardcore Green’ (kale, spinach, fennel, apple, pineapple and ginger) and the ‘Ginger Shot’ (ginger, either honey or agave syrup, lemon, and black and cayenne pepper). The latter is perfect for those looking for an immunity boost, as ginger is known to help digestion, while also containing anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. For the sweeter side of things, the smoothies—‘Juicy’, ‘Strawberry Fields’ and ‘Right Side’—come with the option of adding superfoods such as açai and chia, which have a wealth of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients proven to reduce oxidative damage to cells.

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TERESA’S

argenteria 31. teresasstairway.com This fast and healthy flexitarian hotspot in the Born uses primarily raw, organic fruit and veg in its juices. The cold-pressed juicing process employed at Teresa’s avoids aggressive conventional treatments, such as pasteurisation and high pressure processing, which lead to the inactivation of healthy microorganisms and enzymes. Keeping juices at between zero and four degrees Celsius preserves the natural vitamins and nutrients for up to three days. Each concoction contains a wide range of ingredients, from the vibrant ‘Green Medicine’ (pear, grape, cucumber, spinach, kale, lemon, parsley and dandelion) to the purifying ‘Virus Killer’ (a blend that includes raw honey, echinacea and té de roca) and the superfoodfuelled ‘Detox’ (carrot, cucumber, beetroot, romaine lettuce, celery, spinach, kale and nettle).

Should juice not quite do the trick, try a coldpressed purée, plant-based ‘mylk’ and snacks made from organic, local produce.

HAMMOCK JUICE STATION

mallorca 308. facebook.com/hammockjuicestation The quirky and inviting set-up of suspended hammock seats in the Eixample is a no WiFi zone, perfect for detoxing both mind and body.

Radiating a sense of calm and relaxation away from the modern-day frenzy—‘just like in a forest’, as a sign points out—the vegan and raw snack bar serves a selection of organic juices, smoothies and healthy treats. It takes a simple approach to juice: the majority contain three or four key ingredients; some are made from fruit only, like the sharp ‘Sun-Kissed’ (pineapple, apple and lemon) and zesty ‘Vitamin Sea’ (grapefruit and orange), while others give classic juices an unusual twist, such as ‘Mom’s Apple Pie’, which incorporates a hint of cinnamon. To satisfy a sweeter tooth, there’s a selection of smoothies that seem indulgent, but actually don’t stray too far from your New Year health regime. The ‘Salted Caramel’ smoothie (peanut butter, banana, dates and vegan milk), for example, has Himalayan salt, which is known to detoxify the body by balancing blood pH.

CALIZUMOS

ramón y cajal 124. calizumos.com Raised on natural vegetable and fruit juices in sunny California, 27-year-old Jonnathan Courtney came to Barcelona for the second time in 2015, with a desire to spread his mother’s love of juice and promote healthy living.

Calizumos does just that with fresh, cold-pressed vegetable juices. Each one is made to order, and whilst they predominantly contain vegetables, they embody Courtney’s belief of getting all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrients without compromising on taste. Ninety percent vegetable, the 10 percent fruit (either orange, lemon or apple) adds a little zing. All of the fruit and veg is delivered fresh from local farms just outside Barcelona, with the exception of a few high quality imported ingredients as required. Calizumos also offers free monthly bootcamps to really kick-start a healthy year.

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SHOPPING

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

BODY MOUSSE €22.95 COCUNAT Passatge Sert 4 cocunat.com

3-DAY ENERGY BOOST DETOX €99.95 TERESA’S JUICERY Argenteria 31 teresasjuicery.com

REFRESH BOTH BODY AND MIND WITH THIS MIXED BAG JOURNAL €15.20 ENTROPÍA PAPERSTORE Aribau 127 entropiapaperstore.com

HOT YOGA SET €38.70 YOGAYE Astúries 22 yogaye.com

NAIL POLISH €10 LOLA BARCELONA Gran Via de Carles III 94 lola-barcelona.com

RUNNING SHIRT €85.50 CUYLÁS Via Augusta 37 cuylas.com

BRANDING BOOK €24.90 TO BE CONCEPT Joaquín Costa 9 tobeconceptbcn.com

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JOIN OUR

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, January 27th at 10:30 am

• Leading International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in Barcelona

• World class teachers and instructional methods • An international community of students from more than 50 countries

• New and renovated classrooms and spacious athletic facilities

The Open House includes short presentations by the

Director and Principals, followed by guided campus tours.

We hope to see you there!

MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION Tel. 93 371 4016 ext.224 Email: admissions@asbarcelona.com www.asbarcelona.com

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American School of Barcelona Jaume Balmes 7 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat

12/19/17 2:06 PM

REPORT

ANOTHER

WAY TO LIVE THE COHOUSING CONCEPT IS GAINING GROUND IN CATALUNYA

By Esther Jones

A

s technology brings us closer together and tries to smooth out the rough corners of our lives, daily reality for many is still a lonely and complicated business. More demands on our time, along with less community support, have led to a sharp increase in social isolation. At the same time, modern trends point to a yearning for something more simple. From car sharing to knitting circles, community allotments to coworkings, the underlying focus is on the sharing economy, where community and sustainability are key to a better quality of life.

With that in mind, groups are coming together to create homes that are based on sharing and interaction within the community, inspired by a northern European model of housing that has been growing steadily since the Seventies. Barely heard of in Catalunya five years ago, the concept of cohousing is gaining ground here, and the green shoots of a new movement are breaking through.

Cohousings are intentional communities in which each family unit has its own living space, but certain amenities are shared, such as laundry facilities, gardens and a common space where residents can meet and eat together. A cohousing project may be city-based or in the country, apartments or single family homes, and usually contains between 15 and 30 living units. Not to be confused with communes, cohousing is a less idealised and more pragmatic solution to our practical and social needs. It differs from other types of communal living in several ways: there is no shared economy (each household is financially independent), it is designed by the residents according to their own needs, and it works by way of consensus decision-making, with no one leader.

Europe’s first cohousing community was built in Denmark in 1972 by a group of people dissatisfied by what their communities

offered. Thirty miles from Copenhagen, the Saettedammen community is still going strong, and it gave rise to many other similar projects. Over 50,000 Danes now live in cohousings, and this model of collaborative living has become increasingly popular in other northern European countries. The Netherlands is home to over 300 cohousings, and the UK currently has 19 functioning projects, with many more groups in the process of setting up.

Ana Fernández is the cofounder of Cohousing_Lab, a Barcelonabased architectural firm that specialises in designing cohousing communities. Originally from Argentina, Fernández lived in the Netherlands for some years and, although now based in Poblenou, she continues to work with groups there. She is well versed in the process of setting up a group, finding land and creating a bricks-and-mortar community. “There are three main advantages to cohousing over traditional single family homes,” said Fernández.

“They are made to measure, affordable and participative.”

According to Fernández, all of these benefits come from cutting out the middleman. By having no property developer involved to raise the financing (and add a profit margin) and no sales and marketing costs, the final price stands at around 30 percent less than a standard home. There can be further savings if the group is willing to help out with painting, carpentry, etc. For Fernández, however, the biggest advantages are the intangibles. “Everyone gets to participate in community life,” she said.

While traditional banks are unlikely to be familiar with the concept of cohousing, Fernández said ‘ethical banks’, which finance social and environmental projects, are more amenable. The group needs to be able to raise the funds to buy the land (approximately 20 percent of the total cost, depending on the location), but the remaining amount, including design and construction, can be

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Image courtesy of Cohousing_Lab

“The problem is that many memberes of the group were relying on getting mortgages and it was a shock when they discovered that the land would have to be bought upfront. Only a few people had the means to go ahead at that point.”

One of the people who joined the group is Sven Campers, a Belgian who has lived in Barcelona for 10 years. For Campers—who lives in a small apartment in Poblenou with his wife and four-year-old daughter—having more space for less money, and sharing facilities and skills with other families are the attractions. “Some people think cohousing must be like living in a commune, but I don’t see it like that. I like the idea of the kids having more space to play, of being able to share things and help each other out.” Although his search began in Poblenou, he is now looking beyond the city in the hope of finding less expensive land.

The price of land in Barcelona means that people on lower incomes are being priced out of the city. As well as creating sustainable communities, cohousing is also part of a new model of non-speculative housing that has gained ground in the last few years. Spain is traditionally a land of homeowners, with more than 78 percent of its adult population living in owner-occupied homes (compared to 63 percent in the UK). Long considered a safe investment and a way to pass wealth on to the next generation, recent times have revealed dangerous cracks in a model that is so dependent on market forces. The economic crisis of 2008, and the ensuing rise in unemployment, led to huge numbers of people being evicted from their homes for failing to keep up with mortgage or rental payments. Others, who had bought their homes at a peak in the market, were left with negative equity. The sharp increase in rental prices since then is also proving problematic for those residents who are unable to keep up with rising costs. The city is crying out for new solutions to a problem that won’t go away.

A render of senior cohousing Oosterkade in the Netherlands

financed. The group forms a housing cooperative and each family unit contributes proportionally in accordance with the size of their home.

Fernández has worked with 12 groups in Barcelona over the last two years, although none have yet come to fruition. Fear and cost are usually the issues that halt progress. She noted that for older people, taking the plunge usually means selling the family home, a big leap of faith when there are no functioning cohousing projects in Catalunya. For younger people, the problem tends to be financial. Because they often work in the city, these groups generally look for cohousing in urban areas where land is scarce and prices are prohibitively expensive.

To anyone looking to begin a cohousing group, Fernández has some advice. “Find two or three like-minded people and define your project together. Once you have the basis in place, then you can open up and start looking for other people.”

Juli Carbó is president of Cohousing Barcelona, a cooperative that aims to bring together people who want to live in a cohousing, and help them get their project off the ground. They are currently working to secure a site in Poblenou and are also supporting a project for seniors in Arenys de Mar. “One of the main differences with cohousing is that the group gets to decide on everything about their future home,” he said. Aspiring cohousers pay a fee of €500 to join the cooperative, which is returned to them if they leave.

Barcelona resident Mark Hazleton used Meetup to look for likeminded souls in the city. Born in Scotland and raised in the US, he had been interested in living in a cohousing for many years.

At its peak, the group had 12 people—a mixture of locals and many other nationalities—but finances proved to be a stumbling block.

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Photo by Laure de Hesselle

Residents share a meal in the garden of l'Échappée in Brussels One of the ideas being pursued by the Ajuntament is public cohousing as a way to help people on low incomes gain access to secure housing. Although the actual living arrangements may be similar to private cohousings (where members own their property), the financial model is significantly different, and is based on a ‘granted-for-use’ (cesión de uso) model. The Ajuntament allows a cohousing to be built on public land, granting use of the land for a specific number of years (usually 70-100). Often financed by an ethical bank, the tenants form a cooperative that builds the physical project but never actually owns it. Each month, they pay rent, but it is below market rates. Just as in a private cohousing, the members of the cooperative are the main designers of the project and the end design is defined by their needs. However, the land is still publicly owned and, when the lease ends, the land and the building revert back to being the property of the Ajuntament.

“Rather than creating obligations, cohousing gives you more freedom”

In 2016, the Ajuntament put seven pieces of land to tender to cohousing cooperatives. The aim was to create 115 apartments in total, all under the granted-for-use scheme. “There’s a lot of demand for the creation of homes in communities, and the city wants to encourage it,” said Josep Maria Montaner, housing councillor.

One of the cooperatives that secured a site was Sostre Civic, which was setup in 2010 as a means to create new and innovative ways to provide access to housing. As well as the granted-foruse model, Sostre Civic promotes senior cohousing and urban masoveria, whereby a home is used in exchange for carrying out improvements or maintaining it—similar to the masover concept often found on farms in Catalunya.

Carles Torra is a member of Sostre Civic and part of its group working on senior cohousing. Now retired, Torra joined Sostre Civic with a personal desire to live in a cohousing as an older person. Although he sees that interest is increasing in the model, he agrees that one of the biggest hurdles and reasons that groups fail to advance is finding affordable land. Working with local administrations also means that things inevitably move more slowly, even with the best will. “Cohousing isn’t well defined here

and some town councils have never heard of it,” he said.

The cooperative has nine projects up and running, including cohousing and other forms of non-speculative housing. One of these is a pilot granted-for-use project on Carrer Princesa in the Born in conjunction with the Ajuntament. Work began in April 2017 and, when completed, it will contain five apartments of between 45 and 65 square metres, as well as several common spaces. The residents each contributed an initial €9,000, refundable by Sostre Civic if they leave the project, and will pay a monthly quota of between €450 and €500.

Sostre Civic has another 14 projects at the planning stage and works with private groups who want to create a community based on the granted-for-use model. To join the cooperative, individuals contribute €100 (returnable if they leave) and pay an annual fee of €36. In exchange, they receive advice, training and mediation with professionals and banks to help get their project off the ground.

The Transition Factory, near Tarragona, is one of these projects.

Instigated by Belgian Matthieu Lietaert who is working with three local professionals, the aim is to rehabilitate an abandoned paper and textile factory in the town of El Catllar. Lietaert’s vision is to showcase a new and sustainable way of living beyond the city through the revitalising of villages. “In the Seventies,” said Lietaert, “people began to migrate to cities and entire villages across Europe began to die away. Thanks to the technology available now, we can reverse that.” The Transition Factory will not only be a cohousing, but also a hub for local artisans, innovative ideas and projects.

They will begin to create the group in January 2018, with the aim to start construction in 2019.

Lietaert has plenty of experience in cohousing. He was the motor behind l’Échappée, a five-storey cohousing in Brussels—where he currently lives—that opened in 2016 and houses 45 people in 18 apartments. They share a garden and common space, as well as regular meals together. “We’ve created a village in the city,” Lietaert said.

Reflecting on the experience of living in a cohousing, Lietaert observed that many people are worried about living at close quarters with other people, and the obligations and lack of privacy that might involve. In reality, according to Lietaert, privacy is extremely important to cohousing inhabitants. “Rather than creating obligations, cohousing gives you more freedom, not just for social interaction, but also in terms of time saved by pooling resources, from cooking to car sharing, skills and shopping.”

L'Échappée, for example, has five cars shared between them. And it has a positive financial impact, too: “We get a lot more for our money here,” Lietaert said.

Closer to home, another pioneering granted-for-use project is La Borda, on the old industrial site of Can Batlló in Sants. Work began in spring 2017 in conjunction with LaCol, an architectural collective that works with ordinary people to bring about social transformation. La Borda was started by a group of activists who,

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Photos courtesy of La Col

in 2011, had campaigned against the use of Can Batlló for commercial housing, demanding that the Ajuntament respect their original intentions of using the site for new social housing, amenities and green space. The group occupied one of the buildings and created a social centre for the neighbourhood. In 2014, they reached an agreement with the Ajuntament to build the cohousing. “The project was a bit of an experiment with the Ajuntament,” explained cooperative member Carles Baiges, “and it has paved the way for future projects. We had a lot of problems because something like this had never been done before.”

In the summer of 2018, La Borda’s 28 apartments will become home to an intergenerational community of people, from young parents to retirees. Apartments will come in three different sizes, with shared zones, including a laundry room, large kitchen, guest rooms, sitting room and playroom. The community has defined the details of the plans and will manage the building on a day-to-day basis. To qualify, all members must be eligible for social housing, and pay a returnable fee of between €14,000 and €16,000 to enter.

This money is given back if or when they decide to leave. On a monthly basis they will pay a low rent.

The project will cost €3 million and is financed mostly by ethical bank Coop 57. Guarantees for the loan were provided by the future residents themselves and by their friends and family. La Borda also received €865,000 in loans from friends, family and benefactors.

Key to the success of the project, according to Baiges, has been the participation of the residents. “We meet each week to move ahead with plans, and each person is part of a working group, such as legal, architecture, finance or communication. We are also carrying out some of the unskilled work ourselves.” He pointed out that in projects in other countries, such as Uruguay, it is common for families who don’t have the money for the initial fee to dedicate an amount of time to helping with the construction.

A noticeable feature of La Borda is its unusual architecture.

Except for the first floor, the entire building is made of wood. “It was very important for us to create an ecologically sustainable project,” said Baiges, explaining that the wood came from the Basque country. “The building will be very energy efficient.”

With so much interest from private individuals, cooperatives and the Ajuntament itself, it seems that momentum is building in the cohousing movement. Despite society’s many entrenched paradigms about housing, these few pioneers are showing that something else really is possible: a more collaborative, community-focused life that brings tangible and intangible benefits to its residents. In some cases, it also means a welcome departure from the stressful ladder of home ownership, or the ups and downs of the rental market.

And although none of them would say the path is easy, judging by the time and dedication being invested in projects around the city and throughout Catalunya, they all consider it a worthwhile journey to a healthier society.

ETHICAL BANKING

Since the banking crisis of 2008, there has been a rise in demand for more ethical and sustainable banking, not only regarding the behaviour and transparency of the bank towards its clients but, more importantly, where and who it is investing in.

Ethical banks are transparent about who they are dealing with and loaning to. Their investments are in socially or ecologically sustainable projects. They are regulated by the same authorities as traditional banks, and their profit margins are often lower than traditional banks, meaning fewer offices and more online service.

TRIODOS The biggest of the ethical banks, Triodos was founded in 1980 and has over 150,000 clients. It focuses on social and environmental sustainability and only loans to projects that can show that they will have a positive effect in these areas. It has current and savings accounts for individuals and entities. triodos.es FIARE BANCA ETICA Part of the Italian bank, Banca Popolare Etica, Fiare has 37,000 clients in Italy and Spain. It expects its clients to participate in the bank’s decisions—each customer has one vote, regardless of how much capital they have in the bank. Loans must be for social or environmental requirements, with each loan considered on its individual merits. Fiare also offers current accounts for organisations and companies. fiarebancaetica.coop COOP57 All clients are members of this cooperative bank and must be approved by its ethics committee. Accounts are available for individuals and companies. coop57.coop

MORE INFO

cohousingbarcelona.cat sostrecivic.coop cohousinglab.com laborda.coop Cohousing_Lab and Cohousing Barcelona both hold free monthly talks about different aspects of cohousing.

Construction work began on La Borda in spring 2017

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THE YOGA TREND TAKING BARCELONA TO NEW HEIGHTS

A

erial or anti-gravity yoga is one of the most popular trends currently sweeping the yoga world. Invented by a former gymnast and Broadway choreographer in New York, it combines yoga poses, pilates and air suspension, and involves practising yoga in a hammock-like apparatus attached to the ceiling.

For those already well acquainted with the vivid images of svelte bodies suspended mid-air in phenomenal poses, it may appear to be somewhat intimidating. Julio Martinez, co-founder and yoga instructor at Badalona studio Art of Living in BMS (artoflivingbms.com), where aerial yoga is taught, explained why so many people are drawn to it: “Aerial yoga is one of the most acrobatic styles, which attracts new customers because it is not only good for your health but also fun!”

Different levels are taught at The Art of Living in BMS, which means that students are able to ease into it or push past their comfort zones at whatever pace they are happy. “The amount of calories burned in a one-hour class is massive, sometimes reaching more than 300,” Martinez added. “You will improve muscle tone, balance and concentration, which is required to be truly present in the practice.”

When asked about those who are hesitant to give it a try, he replied with a smile: “I believe that the only way to know if something is good for you is to try it. We are often searching for a magic pill that helps us to overcome difficult moments, depression, stress, etc. But only through action can you start to move forward. So I recommend trying yoga in any style. Just jump onto the mat!”

Another local yoga school, YOGABODY (yogabody.es), offers yoga trapeze—a hybrid of aerial yoga developed using its unique yoga slings. With three studios across Barcelona, the principles are similar to other inversion yoga training systems that involve traction, posterior chain strength and passive flexibility practices.

“This type of yoga is becoming more popular because it is fun, challenging and a different way to practise,” said Lucas Rockwood, founder of YOGABODY. “It improves strength, flexibility, spinal health, spinal traction and it is an excellent stress reliever!” And whilst there may be some who still find the prospects of being

suspended by their legs daunting, Lucas insists that it is suitable for most people.

“Anyone with back pain, lack of strength, or a love of yoga should give it a go. It is genuinely suited for most ages and backgrounds. I would not recommend it to people who are pregnant, those with acute injuries, high blood pressure, or glaucoma, but apart from that, it’s great for everyone else.”

Courtesy of The Art of Living in BMS

By J.S.von Dacre

Photo courtesy of YOGABODY

ANOTHER LEVEL

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HIT THE GROUND RUNNING EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO COMBAT THE POST-HOLIDAY LETHARGY AND GET INTO YOUR STRIDE

By Sophie Heywood

I

ndulgent Christmas and New Year’s celebrations usually mean that healthy eating and fitness regimes go out the window. So, come January, many of us have made a resolution to get back on track with our health and fitness to minimise the damage. Running is an easy, accessible and free way to get fighting fit, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Whether you’ve always been keen on running or are a complete novice, there’s no time like the present to start a positive, active routine with Barcelona as your backdrop.

Running can be a social activity, but it can also provide an opportunity to spend some time with yourself and your thoughts, conditioning your heart and lungs and relieving stress while also developing an increased self-awareness. If you’re going it alone, take advantage of the city’s many running routes and diverse scenery to push your limits and realise your goals. A word of caution, though: balance is key to making your health kick sustainable. Hitting it hard for the first month and then giving

up from sheer exhaustion won’t do you much good. Instead, try making gradual changes to your diet and fitness routine, and remember to allow for rest days. This will make running far more enjoyable and your routine easier to stick to in the long term.

Buddy up As well as improving fitness, running can be a way to meet likeminded people and the city has a number of clubs to join if you’re looking for workout buddies.

RunBCN (runbcn.com) has more than 100 members of all ages and fitness levels, who meet three times a week to run together.

Whether you’re looking to discover new running trails or you’re training for the Barcelona marathon, as long as you believe that running is meant to be enjoyed—which is the group’s philosophy— you’ll fit right in. Running routes cover various terrains, and differ in length and difficulty, so you can choose the session that best suits you. Sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes, and are always

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FEB

11th. Mitja Marató de Barcelona

Sponsored by eDreams, the Barcelona half marathon starts and finishes on Passeig de Pujades, alongside Parc de la Ciutadella, and involves a large loop that runs along Gran Via and back by the seafront, from Paral•lel all the way to the Fòrum. Register by February 5th. edreamsmitjabarcelona.com

MAR

11th. Zurich Marató de Barcelona This year marks the 40th edition of Europe’s fourth most popular marathon.

It follows an urban circuit that takes you by many of the city’s most emblematic buildings and provides beach views along the seafront. A day to be enjoyed by runners and supporters alike, with live music and street food dotting the route, and thousands on the sidelines cheering on the runners.

Registration closes on March 5th. zurichmaratobarcelona.es

APR

1st (TBC). Cursa El Corte Inglés Also in its 40th year, Europe’s biggest fun run attracts over 60,000 participants and registration is free. If you’re not quite fit for a marathon, this is a good alternative, as it is one for all the family—young, old, fast, slow, fancy dress, celebrities and even pets. The highlight is the opportunity to run a lap of honour in the Olympic stadium as part of the 10.76-kilometre route. cursaelcorteingles.cat

22nd. Cursa dels Bombers de Barcelona Founded by the city’s firefighters, some 15,000 participants are expected to turn out for the 20th edition of this race, which starts and ends along Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera and roughly skirts the Ciutat Vella district. This year they are hoping to break the record for the number of uniformed firefighters taking part. cursadebombers.barcelona

20th. Ironman Barcelona

MAY

guided by a coach, who is there to map out the route and help improve your performance.

Formed in 2009 by a couple of computer geeks who wanted someone to run with, Barcelona Casual Runners (meetup.com/ Barcelona-casual-runners) is a Meetup group that runs every Tuesday and Thursday. Members gather at 8pm in front of the main gates of Parc de la Ciutadella and run between nine and 11 kilometres each night—although there’s no pressure to finish the whole route. Chatting is an integral part of their workouts, and some members even head out for a beer afterwards to rehydrate and continue socialising.

Moon Runners (meetup.com/MoonRunners), another Meetup group, puts a quirky twist on running. They gather once a month, at 10pm, for a full moon run. There are no lights allowed, no GPS, no phones, no music. Just you, your running shoes and your five senses. As their mantra says: ‘Night is our territory, Moon is our guide, Our battle cry: aauu!’

Not for the faint-hearted, this triathlon takes place in Calella on the Maresme coast. It starts with a 3.8-kilometre swim in the Mediterranean, followed by a flat and fast 180-kilometre bike ride, and finishes with a 42.2-kilometre run along the seafront. eu.ironman.com

16th (TBC). Cursa de la Mercè

OCT

This 10-kilometre run takes place during Sant Antoni’s annual festa major, starting and ending along Floridablanca, between Viladomat and Calàbria. The route winds its way around the neighbourhood, and then up to Plaça de Catalunya and back. cursasantantoni.cat

Part of the annual city-wide festival of La Mercè, this 10-kilometre run starts and ends in Plaça d’Espanya, passing through the Eixample to Parc de la Ciutadella. There is a two-kilometre option available for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. lameva.barcelona.cat/cursamerce

7th. Barcelona Triathlon The city’s triathlon event attracts around 6,000 athletes and starts on the Platja de la Nova Mar Bella. You can enter as an individual, couple or team and choose from three different distances: Supersprint (12.85km), Sprint (25.75km) and Olympic (51.5km). barcelona-triathlon.com

24th (TBC). Barcelona Trail Races

NOV

21st. Cursa Moritz Sant Antoni

The Guàrdia Urbana’s answer to the Cursa dels Bombers, you can’t get lost on this one, which runs the length of Diagonal. Starting at Palau Reial de Pedralbes, it’s all downhill from there, as runners head 10 kilometres towards the Med. You can opt for the shorter, five-kilometre route if preferred. cursadiagonal.dir.cat

A large loop of the Parc Natural de Collserola—the world’s largest metropolitan park—this 75-kilometre mountain trail starts and ends at the Velòdrom d’Horta. bcntrailraces.com

25th. Cursa 10k Jean Bouin The Jean Bouin annual 10k has been a fixture on the Barcelona sporting calendar since 1920. It starts and ends near the Magic Fountain, following Avinguda de Paral•lel and Passeig de Colom and returning along Gran Via. A five-kilometre route is also available. jeanbouin.mundodeportivo.com

31st. Cursa dels Nassos

DEC

The 35th edition of the Sitges half marathon and the seventh annual quarter marathon are the first events to kick off the New Year, just a short train ride away from Barcelona. The runs make a great day out, taking in scenic views along the coast. mitjasitges.cat

27th (TBC). Cursa DiR Guàrdia Urbana

This 10-kilometre run is a memorable (and healthy) way to start your New Year’s celebrations. Starting and finishing just outside Selva de Mar metro station, the route takes you along the beachfront, past Parc de la Ciutadella, and returns via Diagonal. cursadenassos.barcelona

5k Colour Run

OTHER RUNS

14th. Mitja i 7è Quart de Marató de Sitges

SEPT

Need some motivation? Barcelona has a busy annual calendar of road races that will give you something to aim towards.

JAN

Photo by Tash McCammon

READY, STEADY...GO!

Sponsored by Skittles, this is a playful run starting and ending in Parc del Fòrum and suitable for all ages and levels. Be prepared to get messy as you run through the different zones, getting covered with colours as you go.

15k Midnight trail run A night-time, mountainous trail run starting and ending at Tibidabo.

7.8k Carrera de la Mujer Dress in pink for this female-focused race, which aims to raise breast cancer awareness. Barcelona is one of eight participating cities in Spain.

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GET KITTED OUT

The post-Christmas and New Year sales are a great time to pick up some extra accessories for running When you start to get serious about running, it’s worth investing in the essentials of the sport—a pair of trainers that suit your feet and running style, decent leggings and a windbreaker that will keep you warm in the January cold but is breathable and not too bulky. Asics (Diagonal 543) specialises in running shoes and activewear. At its flagship store, you can have a proper gait analysis done to ensure you buy the right trainers to suit your running style. While you run on a treadmill in the shop, a sales associate will check your stride and assess your weight distribution so he or she can advise you on the perfect shoe to best support you. Bikila (Pg. de Pujades 7) also has knowledgeable staff and a good selection of top running brands, from Saucony, Adidas and Nike to K-Swiss and Brooks. And Intemperie (Villarroel 184) is a haven for all outdoor activities. Alongside essential footwear and clothing for running and hiking, the shop also has a useful library with guides and maps of various routes.

WINDSTOPPER SOFT SHELL JACKET €160 CUYLÁS

Via Augusta 37 cuylas.com

SHORTS €74.99 VERTIC

Rocafort 135 verticoutdoor.com GARMIN FORERUNNER 25 HRM €99.99 WALA

Pg. de la Zona Franca 191 walashop.com

HYDRATION BELT €32 BIKILA

GLOVES €24 BIKILA

Pg. de Pujades 7 bikila.com

Pg. de Pujades 7 bikila.com

PADDED RUNNING SOCKS €17.90 BARRABES

Roger de Llúria 77 barrabes.com

RUNNING ROUTES PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA. 2KM

BEACHFRONT. 6.5KM

The city’s urban green lung, Parc de la Ciutadella, offers a flat two-kilometre loop, perfect for beginners. Sights en route include Castell dels Tres Dragons, a castleshaped building crowned with battlements that later housed the Museum of Zoology; the Hivernacle, or ‘winter garden’; the waterfall, designed by 19th-century architect Josep Fontserè; a mammoth and a lake. Pick a place to start and off you go!

You don’t have to worry about getting lost on this run. Starting at the W Barcelona, follow the shore until you reach Parc del Fòrum. The route is mostly flat, and this time of year you’ll avoid the pedestrians and rickshaws that dominate this path in high season.

For more inspiration, check the cycling routes on page 11—many are also ideal for running.

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WHAT’S ON

THE BEST OF the month ahead

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music FROM ANOTHER GALAXY

LA CASA AZUL. SALA APOLO. NOU de LA RAmbLA 113.

JANUARY 20TH. Shibuya-kei is both an eclectic form of pop music and an aesthetic based on kitsch and artifice that flourished in Nineties Tokyo. Recognisable for its manic, relentlessly upbeat energy, the sound fused mainstream J-pop with jazz and soul, and was influenced by Sixties American bands, such as The Beach Boys. Barcelona native Guillermo Vilella brought this genre to Spain when he adopted the alter-ego Guille Milkyway and created La Casa Azul in 1997. Although theoretically a group, all the music is composed and played by Milkyway, with the other ‘members’, who appear in music videos and at concerts, just colourful window dressing. When his catchy pop melodies caught on, Milkyway was commissioned to add his sound to TV commercials for Nesquik, and was a finalist in the selection contest for Spain’s Eurovision entry in 2008, with the song ‘La revolución sexual’.

Though Milkyway is seemingly all smiles, his lyrics are often sad and mix ideas of love, happiness and friendship with melancholy, loneliness and frustration. His new album, La gran esfera (2017), continues this trend.

SCOT ROCK

GLORYHAmmeR.RAZZmATAZZ. PAmPLONA 88. JANUARY 13TH. At a live gig, the audience expects the act to put on a show, and this Scottish-Swiss power metal band don’t disappoint. Gloryhammer present a line-up of colourful characters that look and sound like they have jumped straight out of Dungeons & Dragons or Lord of the Rings. Sporting plastic armour, mystic robes and, yes, a giant hammer, the band spin epic tales of heroic fantasy using the power of rock metal. The playfulness extends to the stage names of the band, including Angus McFife, Crown Prince of Dundee (lead vocals), Zargothrax, Dark Sorcerer of Auchtermuchty (keyboard) and Ralathor, Mysterious Hermit of Cowdenbeath (drums). When they come crashing into Barcelona, the band will play their entire second album, Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards (2015), as well as earlier hits, such as ‘The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee’.

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A SIGN OF CHANGE

ALT-J. SANT JORdI CLUb. PG. OLÍmPIC 5-7. JANUARY 8TH. Since their formation in 2008, the success of indie rockers alt-J has continued to grow. Their debut album, An Awesome Wave (2012), largely written from their student digs at the University of Leeds, won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2012, and their second album, This Is All Yours (2014), shot straight to number one in the UK. However, despite their well-known tunes and prominent position on the European festival circuit, you’d be hard pressed to recognise the band if they walked past you on the street. Known enigmatically by the delta symbol (Δ)—the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet, which appears when alt and J are pressed simultaneously on a computer keyboard—the band have achieved critical acclaim without the accompanying fame, retaining an air of anonymity that adds to their mystique. In reality, they describe themselves as normal guys who are simply interested in generating music without the complications of international fame.

The latest album, Relaxer (2017), brings a dark, experimental twist to their layered, folk-inflected sound, featuring the London Metropolitan Orchestra, police siren samples and jarring sexual imagery.

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music DOCTOR BEAT

JORGE DREXLER. GRAN TEATRE DEL LICEU. LA RAMBLA 51-59. JANUARY 27TH. Although he showed an interest in music from a young age, Jorge Drexler studied medicine, like much of his family, and became an otolaryngologist—an ear, nose and throat specialist. During his studies, he took some time off and hitchhiked his way around Brazil. He later recorded two independent albums in his native Uruguay. These little-heard records somehow reached the ears of well-known Spanish singer-songwriter Joaquín Sabina. Sabina invited Drexler to Madrid in 1995 and introduced him to the Spanish music industry. Soon after, he moved to Spain and began recording a string of moderately successful albums. A decade later, Drexler’s most famous hit ‘Al Otro Lado del Río’ appeared in the 2004 Che Guevara biopic The Motorcycle Diaries, for which he became the first Uruguayan to win an Academy Award. He later won five ASCAP Latin Music Awards for his work with Colombian superstar Shakira, writing Spanishlanguage versions of her hits, such as ‘She Wolf’. Drexler’s dexterity extends to the musical genres he has covered in his 13 studio albums, combining Uruguayan traditional music with bossa nova, pop, jazz, electronic and rap. His latest album, Salvavidas de Hielo (2017), is a gentle return to the acoustic samba with which he started his career.

FAKE HAPPY

PARAMORE. SANT JORDI CLUB. PG. OLÍMPIC 5-7. JANUARY 7TH.

In 2003, out of the depths of Tennessee, an unlikely group of fresh-faced teenagers exchanged their school days for angst-filled pop punk. Lead vocalist Hayley Williams was only 19 when their debut album, All We Know Is Falling (2005), was released and reached number eight in the UK Rock & Metal Singles Chart. Their second album, Riot! (2007), solidified the band and brought them mainstream success as the album went platinum in the US. The use of ‘Decode’ in the

soundtrack of the vampire saga series Twilight further widened their exposure. True to their history of public spats and line-up changes, the making of their new album, After Laughter (2017), has seen bassist Jeremy Davis quit and ex-drummer Zac Farro rejoin. Whilst sticking to their emo roots, the band have shifted towards a purer pop sound, with lyrical themes of anxiety and futile optimism—in songs such as ‘Fake Happy’ and ‘No Friend’—contrasting the more sprightly melodies.

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IN CONCERT

5th. Wolf Alice Sala Apolo. Nou de la Rambla 113.

7th. Paramore Sant Jordi Club. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

8th. alt-J Sant Jordi Club. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

9th. Anne Sofie von Otter Palau de la Música. Palau de la Música 4-6.

11th. Elliott Murphy & Olivier Durand Sala Bikini. Diagonal 547.

12th. DENOM Sala Apolo. Nou de la Rambla 113.

12th. Smoove & Turrell Marula Café. Escudellers 49.

13th. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Sala Apolo. Nou de la Rambla 113.

13th. Beret Sala Bikini. Diagonal 547.

14th & 16th. Lady Gaga Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

18th. While She Sleeps Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

19th. Tortured Soul Marula Café. Escudellers 49.

20th. Sweet California Auditori Fòrum. Pl. Leonardo da Vinci 11-14.

20th. Lichis Sidecar. Pl. Reial 7.

21st. Avalanch Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

23rd. Els Amics de les Arts Gran Teatre del Liceu. La Rambla 51-59.

25th. Pastora Soler Gran Teatre del Liceu. La Rambla 51-59.

26th. Andy Cooper & The Allergies Marula Café. Escudellers 49.

27th. The Surfing Magazines BeGood Club. Sancho de Ávila 78.

27th. Esteban Faro Luz de Gas. Muntaner 246.

30th. Comeback Kid Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

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© Galeria Joan Prats

art

CRAFTY DEVIL

JOAN PONÇ DIÁBOLO. LA PEDRERA. PROVENÇA 261-265. UNTIL FEBRUARY 4TH. PONÇ / BROSSA. GALERIA JOAN PRATS. BALMES 54. UNTIL FEBRUARY 4TH. Step into the dark and twisted world of Joan Ponç as La Pedrera presents a new interpretation of the life and works of the Catalan painter. Breaking onto the art scene in the Forties, Ponç’s intricate depictions of monstrous figures outraged contemporary critics and were brandished by many as demonic, gruesome and diabolical.

Nonetheless, the painter went on to become one of the most important artists of the Spanish post-war period. The exhibition, curated by art historian and critic Pilar Parcerisas, follows the trajectory of the self-reflexive artist’s works, with the themes of day and night, life and death, and strife and fantasy explored in relation to his personal context. The exhibition’s name ‘Diábolo’ encapsulates the duality of the artist, sharing the name of the Chinese yoyo as a reference to his playfulness, whilst also alluding to his role in the Catalan art movement Dau al Set, who jokingly considered themselves diablillos, or little devils.

Running simultaneously at Galeria Joan Prats, Ponç / Brossa will explore the creative and personal affinities between Joan Ponç and fellow founding member of Dau al Set, Joan Brossa. Influenced by Dadaism and Surrealism, the Dau al Set, Catalan for ‘the seventh side of the dice’, were an artistic collective founded by Joan Brossa, Joan Ponç and four other artists in 1948. Standing in opposition to Franco’s regime, the group aimed to revive the avant-garde in a state where art’s sole function was for government endorsement and propaganda. The works of the two artists intersect in their taste for magic, the occult and their implicit critique of society. Until February 3rd, the exhibition will follow their artistic relationship from the late Forties to the early Fifties.

URBAN FACELIFT

DARIUS KOEHLI. INSIDE POBLENOU. ARXIU FOTOGRÀFIC DE BARCELONA. PLAÇA DE PONS I CLERCH 2.

UNTIL MAY 19TH. This exhibition explores the work of Swiss-born photographer Darius Koehli, and documents the transformation of the Poblenou district from 2005 until 2017. His pictures capture the changing face of the neighbourhood, from its 19th-century industrial roots, when it was dubbed the ‘Catalan Manchester’, to its modern-day reputation as the city’s technological hub, with the development of District 22@. Launched over 13 years ago, this urban renewal initiative was aimed at turning a neglected, rundown industrial neighbourhood into a centre of innovation and technological powerhouse.

Koehli’s work sheds light on the urban planning, social relations and cultural changes that have happened within Poblenou during this period of regeneration. These pictures are displayed alongside a selection of photographs from the Arxiu Fotogràfic de Barcelona, documenting the neighbourhood’s evolution from 1872 until 2017.

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REVIEW

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW Will Shank visits ‘After the End of the World’ at the CCCB Until April 29th, 2018

I

n Stanley Kramer’s classic 1959 doomsday film On the Beach, a handful of Australian survivors of a nuclear attack search desperately for signs of life on a ravaged planet Earth. Visitors to the ‘After the End of the World’ exhibition are faced with a similarly bleak outlook, from the moment they enter the exhibition and are faced with a widescreen prologue by American science-fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson, which raises some probing questions: What will the Earth be like if it continues on its current path of self-destruction? What will the lives of our children and grandchildren look like?

It is certainly not a happy show but, like Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth (2006), it is necessary viewing. In these topsy-turvy times, when the US president fills the Environmental Protection Agency with climate-change naysayers, never has grassroots activism been more important. The content of ‘After the End of the World’ gives viewers ample information about the current state of affairs, how we got here and what we might be able to do about it.

The exhibition introduces the concept of the Anthropocene era, an official designation well-known to geologists, but not yet in the vocabulary of the general public. Scientists have determined that since the 20th-century—approximately around the time nuclear testing began—the planet has been altered, perhaps irreversibly, by man. During the previous 12,000 years (beginning with the last Ice Age), human beings enjoyed a relatively stable climate, called the Holocene Epoch. In short, the Earth has changed so profoundly in the last century, that we have entered a new geological era.

‘After the End of the World’ is divided into eight sections in which scientists walk us through the destruction that has enveloped us all, and give us hope that people have the ability to reverse some of the seemingly irreversible damage.

We still have the chance, we are reminded, to reduce CO2 emissions in order to stop suffocating the planet, and to come up with strategies for survival.

The alternative is not a particularly pretty one, as demonstrated by one

exhibit that simulates a London residence in the year 2050 (as imagined by the speculative design studio Superflux). Formerly useful objects, such as computers, have been pilfered for parts, and the inhabitants live surrounded by hydroponic, grey-coloured plants: the only food source in a world whose climate has been altered by hurricanes and drought.

An ironically lyrical video expedition by Kate Davies and Liam Young of the UK’s Unknown Fields Division—a nomadic design research studio—explores the global infrastructure of the fashion world, forcing those of us who buy and wear clothing in the 21st century to consider the high cost of its low price.

Another participatory installation forces the audience to confront itself (literally, in a mirrored tank of water) face-to-face with the unstoppable jellyfish, a poisonous symbol of diseased oceans and seas. We learn that jellyfish were here long before we were, and that they will ultimately outlive us. Particularly shocking were the statistics presented in the installation by Charles Lim about ‘terraforming’ in Singapore. The tiny but rich city-state continues to expand its borders by buying and dumping sand in order to reclaim land for the expansion of its petrochemical industries. The island has already grown by one quarter of its original size, which has contributed to rising sea levels worldwide and, not least, in Singapore itself. Scientists warn that if the current rate of land reclamation continues, sea waters will rise six feet by 2100.

But there is hope! We are ushered out of the exhibition with an introduction to Barcelona’s own City Station and Environmental Health Clinic by artist Natalie Jeremijenko in the Sant Martí neighbourhood. The goal is to engage the public in improving the local environment through initiatives such as creating urban green spaces. Both the Ajuntament and the CCCB are part of this important effort.

The admission ticket to this exhibition at the CCCB also gives you access to the ‘Oceans’ exhibit at the Museu Blau, Barcelona’s Natural Science Museum.

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art PERSONAL VISIONS

FLUX: FESTIVAL DE VIDEO D’AUTOR. ARTS SANTA MÒNICA. RAMBLA 7. UNTIL JANUARY 28TH. The FLUX festival was established as a showcase for individuals working in any area of video creation with both ties to Barcelona and a strong creative voice. The 12th edition of the event brings together the work of invited guests Andrés Hispano, Jordi Mitjà and Eulàlia Valldosera, each with expertise from different backgrounds including video art, video installation, documentary and audiovisual experimentation. Each auteur will discuss their process and present their video work in 90-minute sessions, in which they will include a ‘self-portrait’ video commissioned exclusively for the festival. Additionally, two non-permanent installations will be displayed at Arts Santa Mònica for the festival duration: the silent video ‘Un Tigre’ by Dionís Escorsa, and the collective installation ‘FLUX VideoCapsa’, featuring unpublished videos from a range of notable videographers.

MEET THE ARTIST

GRZEGORZ GWIAZDA - ON THE CENTENARY OF RODIN’S DEATH. MEAM. BARRA DE FERRO 5. UNTIL JANUARY 28TH. Grzegorz Gwiazda was born in Lidzbark Warminski, Poland, in 1984, and is a successful contemporary sculptor whose work has been exhibited across the world. Metropolitan caught up with him at the Museu Europeu d’Art Modern (MEAM), where his latest exhibition celebrates the centenary of Auguste Rodin’s death, the progenitor of modern sculpture.

What are the major influences in your work?

One of the most important experiences of my artistic life was the time I spent at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan. I was surrounded by my first aesthetic love of the Renaissance and Mediterranean cultures, which made me realise the influence of my own Polish background. Romanticism is at Poland’s core, but an experience of war doesn’t allow much room for the romantic; what remained, therefore, was expression. The sculptural movement that followed in Warsaw strongly influenced me, as did my professors, Jan Kucz and Adam Myjak, who formed part of that group.

What is the aim of your work?

I see art as a way of understanding reality. Like body language and words, art and sculpture transform abstract thoughts into physical realities. In this sense, the artist is an alchemist. I’m not a figurative sculptor but I think that by uniting contradictory elements—to mix water and oil, and to combine the tragic and the comic—helps to reveal what makes us human.

© MEAM, Museo Europeo de Arte Moderno

How do you feel about being chosen to commemorate the centenary of Rodin’s death?

It’s an honour. I’m proud, but it does have some tricky elements. By relating one artist to another, you run the risk of putting that artist into a box that’s difficult to escape. The exhibition is not about relating my work directly with Rodin’s, although I think José Manuel Infiesta (art director at the MEAM) saw similarities in the elements of abstraction and the Postmodernist attitude in my work. Rodin changed the way people saw sculpture, and I hope that my work was selected because it has the potential to do the same.

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EXHIBITIONS

LAST CHANCE MACBA Sample #2. This is mail art An exhibition from the MACBA archives focused on the populist art movement Mail Art, which centres on sending small scale works by post.

Until January 7th. Pl. dels Àngels 1.

FUNDACIÓ JOAN MIRÓ Irene de Andrés. Shipwrecked Species Visual artist Irene de Andrés explores the analogies between tourism and colonisation on the island of Ibiza, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Until January 7th. Parc de Montjuïc.

MUSEU MARÍTIM Game of Thrones: The Exhibition Artisans, designers and craftsmen behind what has become the most popular TV series of all time have come together to create an interactive touring exhibition, which includes authentic props, costumes and scenery from the show.

Until January 7th. Avda. de les Drassanes.

FUNDACIÓ JOAN MIRÓ Sumer and the Modern Paradigm An exhibition exploring the relationship between modern artists from the interwar period (1918-1939) and the archeological findings from Mesopotamia.

Until January 21st. Parc de Montjuïc.

MEAM Grzegorz Gwiazda Polish sculptor Grzegorz Gwiazda presents his first anthological exhibition to celebrate the centenary of the death of one of the great masters of the 20th century, Auguste Rodin. Until January 28th. Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc.

MUSEU PICASSO 1917. Picasso in Barcelona This exhibition presents works created by Picasso during a six-month visit to Barcelona in 1917, as well as documents, drawings and sketches that give a comprehensive view of how the artist spent his time in the city. Until January 28th. Montcada 15-23.

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misc WELSH RAREBIT

JENNY COLLIER. THE SHAMROCK IRISH PUB. TALLERS 72. JANUARY 12TH. January sees the return of Guiriness Comedy, this time starring Jenny Collier. The Welsh-born comedian moved to London in 2010 to embark on a career in stand-up. Since then, she has appeared on a BBC Radio Wales panel with Jo Brand, and has performed across the globe, from Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore, to Switzerland and Australia, where she won the Percy Award during the Adelaide Fringe. In 2016, she performed her debut hour in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where she was spotted by Zara Patterson, founder of the Guiriness Comedy Club. Keen to introduce more females to the male-dominated comedy world, Patterson invited Collier to perform here in Barcelona.

“She’s a sassy Welsh rarebit with the natural ability to keep people laughing. She’s as sharp as a tack and on-point funny with her audience,” commented Patterson. The rising star will perform in Barcelona on January 12th and at the Wylie Brewery in Sitges on January 13th.

THE GREAT WHITE WHALE

MOBY-DICK. TEATRE GOYA. JOAQUÍN COSTA 68. JANUARY 19TH-MARCH 4TH. First published in 1851 as Moby-Dick or The Whale, Herman Melville’s novel was originally a commercial failure and was out of print when he died in 1891. During the 20th century, however, the novel reemerged as a exemplary work of American literature and was referred to as ‘the greatest book of the sea ever written’ by D.H. Lawrence. Aside from the iconic albino sperm whale that gives the book its name, one of the main reasons that the story has endured is the novel’s central human figure, Captain Ahab. Described by Melville as a ‘grand, ungodly, god-like man’, Ahab is one of the most tortured protagonists in the history of literature. He will stop at nothing to get his revenge on the giant creature who bit off his leg on a previous voyage. This new Spanish-language theatre adaptation stars veteran television, film and stage actor Josep Maria Pou, and focuses on the solitary figure of Ahab and his fight against the whale, exploring the depths of his obsession.

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SWING IT

LINDY HOPPERS DELIGHT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS. JANUARY 26TH-28TH. A fusion of multiple styles, including jazz, tap, breakaway and the Charleston, the Lindy hop originated in Harlem, New York City in 1928. It was first practised amongst the African American community and spread to mainstream dance circles through performance, competitions and film.

Though it reached the peak of its popularity during the swing era of the late Thirties and early Forties, the genre has seen a revival in the last decade and still has a cult following today. Lindy Hoppers Delight is a festival dedicated to bringing some of the best Lindy hop instructors to Barcelona for a series of classes and competitions that will have participants bopping all night long. With an award for the best couple and a social dancing competition, the event caters for intermediate to experienced dancers.

Dust off your best vintage frock and join the action.

I FEEL PRETTY

WEST SIDE STORY. L’AUDITORI. LEPANT 150.

JANUARY 12TH-14TH. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, one of the greatest American composers of all time. L’Auditori has chosen to commemorate this with a screening of West Side Story—the 1961 film adaptation of Bernstein’s most successful Broadway musical. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in Fifties New York and revolves around the infamous love affair between Maria and Tony and the clashes between two gangs, the Sharks and the Jets. Following its Broadway success, the film reached similar heights, winning 10 Oscars, including Best Film and Best Original Score. The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ernst van Tiel, will accompany the screening with a live performance of the musical score, including songs such as ‘Maria’, ‘Tonight’ and ‘America’.

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(24TH)

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DEEP BLUE SEA A screening of Terence Rattigan’s play-turned-movie, which follows the wife of a British judge caught in a self-destructive love affair with a Royal Air Force pilot.

5pm. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

The mezzo-soprano performs a series of songs including Mozart’s ‘Komm lieber Zither’ and Schubert’s ‘Romanze aus Rosamunde’. 8.30pm.

Palau de la Música Catalana.

Three years out of the limelight, the English indie rock band come to Barcelona to showcase their new album, Relaxer (2017).

7pm. Sant Jordi Club.

MEET & DANCE Learn salsa, merengue and bachata at this international dance gettogether. The first hour is aimed at beginners, whereas the second hour teaches more advanced moves.

10pm. City Hall.

9ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER

THREE KINGS FACTORY Visit the toy factory where the Three Kings and their helpers are hard at work preparing gifts, ready to be delivered to children on the night of January 5th. Fabra i Coats.

Until January 4th.

8ALT-J

RURAL ZOMBIES (15TH)

JONATHAN STAUSS GREAT NEW YEAR'S CONCERT Return to the gaiety and glamour of 19th-century Vienna with this concert of waltzes, polkas and marches by the ‘Waltz King’. 8pm. Palau de la Música Catalana.

SOCIAL LANGUAGE EXCHANGE Brush up on your Spanish speaking skills over a cold craft beer at this language exchange held every Wednesday. 6.30pm. Craft Barcelona, Paradís 4.

Inspired by the Roman persecution of Christians in the third century, this three-act opera, written by Donizetti in 1838, explores the tragic love triangle between Paolina, Poliuto and Severo. Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Until January 13th.

10 POLIUTO

NADAL A LES CASES SINGULARS A guided tour of the residential block Palau Baró de Quadras, designed

by Puig i Cadafalch between 1902 and 1903, and a look at sculptures by Eusebi Arnau and Alfons Juyol.

1pm. Avda. Diagonal 373.

Based on the hit TV series, Craft BCN presents a live stand-up comedy show with professional improv comedians and guest performers every Wednesday.

8.30pm. Craft BCN, Paradís 4.

NO. 5 Orquestra Sinfónica del Teatro Estatal de Ópera de Rostov performs Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.

6pm. Palau de la Música Catalana.

Celebrating 10 years in theatres across Barcelona, the flamenco show, Opera y Flamenco, continues its uninterrupted programme.

9.30pm. Teatre Poliorama.

WE DN ESDAY

2NUTCRACKER SUITE. SYMPHONY 3WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?

TUE SDAY

1OPERA Y FLAMENCO

MONDAY

JANUARY 2018

THIS MONTH FRIDAY

ELLIOTT MURPHY Four decades after releasing his debut album, Aquashow (1973), New Yorker Elliott Murphy, accompanied

by Olivier Durand, performs his new album Prodigal Son (2017).

8.30pm. Sala Bikini.

This unique show pays tribute to the evolution of electronic music over the past 25 years, with a mix of images of club culture, a symphony orchestra and live DJs. 9.30pm. Gran Teatre del Liceu.

11 MAESTRO

BCN MAKERS POP-UP MARKET Barcelona’s creators, designers and makers come to Gràcia with designer goods, furniture, decorative objects, lamps, clothing and more.

Wallnwood, Betlem 53.

Until January 5th.

A guided tour of Casa Rocamora, where the collector and patron Manuel Rocamora lived. See his collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, clothing, dolls and more.

11am. Ballester 12.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (30TH)

JENNY COLLIER Guiriness Comedy welcomes the Welsh-born comedian with her award-winning stand-up act.

9.30pm. The Shamrock Irish Bar.

The French-Italian singer-songwriter comes to Palau de la Música to perform her new album, French Touch (2017). 7pm. Palau de la Música Catalana.

12 CARLA BRUNI

THREE KINGS PARADE The Three Kings arrive in Barcelona in a two-hour parade with floats, dancers and a lot of candy.

4.30pm. City centre.

The North London four-piece rock band bring a musical blend of big guitars and folk stylings to Apolo as they perform their new album, Visions of a Life (2017).

8.30pm. Sala Apolo.

4NADAL A LES CASES SINGULARES 5 WOLF ALICE

T HURSDAY

PALO ALTO The first Palo Alto of the year, showcasing clothes, art and artisan goods, as well as live music and an army of food trucks.

11am. Pellaires 30.

Inspired by galaxies far away, the Scottish-Swiss heavy metal band perform their unique album Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards (2015) as part of their European tour.

7pm. Razzmatazz.

13 GLORYHAMMER

GUIDED TOURS OF CASA BLOC Take a peek inside the restored Casa Bloc with a guided tour organised by the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona.

11am. Casa Bloc.

Carrer de la Verge in the Raval hosts one of Barcelona's best secondhand markets with vintage clothing, art, books, music, recycled crafts and general trinkets. 12pm. Verge 10.

6EL RASTRO DE LA VIRGEN

SAT URDAY

LADY GAGA See the American superstar perform her latest album, Joanne (2016), as part of her world tour. Palau Sant Jordi. January 14th & 16th.

A popular haven for bargain-hunters, El Flea has a range of stalls selling secondhand goods at low prices.

10am. Pl. de Blanquerna.

14 EL FLEA MARKET

PARAMORE The American rock band, led by Hayley Williams, stop off in Barcelona on their world tour to promote their new album, After Laughter (2017).

7pm. Sant Jordi Club.

World-renowned Spanish magician Jorge Blass brings his 90-minute theatre production to Barcelona.

6pm. Teatre Auditori de Sant Cugat.

7PALABRA DE MAGO

SUN DAY

LADY GAGA (14TH)

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MANUEL GONZÁLEZ The Barcelona-born guitar player performs his classic interpretations in a 14th-century church. 9pm. Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi.

CURSO DE SUSHI Learn the intricacies of making various types of sushi from scratch with this evening course.

7pm. Miele, Via Augusta 26.

JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON Influenced by the minimalist movement of the 20th century, the Icelandic composer performs his latest album, Orphée (2016).

9pm. L'Auditori.

Herman Melville’s novel comes to life under the direction of Andrés Lima, inviting the audience to go on a journey with Captain Ahab in his fight against Moby Dick. Teatre Goya.

Until March 4th.

BARCELONA GUITAR TRIO (28TH)

BE-HUB! 5TH EDITION The organisation Be-Hub! presents the 5th edition of this networking event, with startups, new entrepreneurial and social projects, artistic performances and more.

7pm. Nubar, Pg. de Gràcia 53.

ASHTANGA YOGA Breathe out any lingering back-towork fatigue at this relaxing yoga class, aimed at building your inner strength and contentment.

6.15pm. Wellco, Pere IV 29.

The Canadian punk rock band, famous for their live performances, perform their highly anticipated album, Outsider (2017).

7pm. Razzmatazz.

The Balkan singer-songwriter presents a new album, Three Letters from Sarajevo (2017), in which he unites the violin music of different Christian, Jewish and Islamic artists.

8.30pm. Sala Apolo.

Fusing styles as diverse as Latin music, rock, ska, funk and African rhythms, the Granada-based rock band come to Apolo to perform their new album, Alerta Caníbal (2017).

8.30pm. Sala Apolo.

Conducted by Aarón Zapico, the Spanish musical group Forma Antiqva perform Vivaldi’s classic 'The Four Seasons'. 8.30pm.

Palau de la Música Catalana.

CARLA BRUNI (12TH)

25 GORAN BREGOVIC

BWN EVENING DRINKS Join members of this year's executive board of the Barcelona Women’s Network for evening drinks, light tapas and socialising. 7pm.

Renaissance Barcelona Hotel.

One of Giuseppe Verdi’s most popular operas, La traviata, portrays the semi-autobiographical tale The Lady of the Camellias (1848) by Alexandre Dumas Fils in two acts.

8pm. Palau de la Música Catalana.

18 LA TRAVIATA

24 ESKORZO

31 MOBY DICK

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BLANK CANVAS Hosted by People On The Grid, this event asks women to write what they want to talk about on a blank canvas, with the objective of creating meaningful conversations and connections. 7.30pm. Ozz Barcelona, Banys Vells 8.

The Argentinian-Colombian band celebrate their 15th anniversary with the launch of their seventh studio album, Almas Rebeldes (2017).

9pm. Sala Apolo.

17 CHE SUDAKA

29 30 VIVALDI'S THE FOUR SEASONS COMEBACK KID

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DESAYUNOS DE TANGO Dance the morning away at this tango class and learn the techniques and steps of one of the world’s most passionate dances. 11.30am. Salón Pugliese, Verneda 4.

The comic, two-act opera by Gaetano Donizetti explores Nemorino’s (Pavol Breslik) pursuit of Adina (Jessica Pratt), and her torturous indifference.

Gran Teatre del Liceu.

Until January 28th.

The Argentine pianist performs classical pieces such as Schumann’s ‘Kinderszenen, Op.15’ and Mozart’s ‘Sonata for two pianos’. 8.30pm.

Palau de la Música Catalana.

TALKING GALLERIES. OPEN CONVERSATIONS A platform for debate and exchange of ideas that brings leading figures from the art world together to discuss relevant topics, share experiences and rethink gallery practices.

MACBA. Until January 16th.

16 L'ELISIR D'AMORE

15 MARTHA ARGERICH

THE CIRCUS Watch Armenian composer and pianist Anahit Simonian bring Charlie Chaplin’s classic film, The Circus (1928), to life. Filmoteca de Catalunya. Until January 28th.

LINDY HOPPER'S DELIGHT 2018 For lovers of Lindy hop, jazz and swing, this dance festival offers a selection of live performances, classes and parties to participate in.

City centre. Until January 28th.

L'ELISIR D'AMORE (16TH)

BARCELONA GUITAR TRIO Guitarists Manuel González, Xavier Coll and Luis Robisco perform a selection of pieces from well-known composers. 9pm. Basílica de Santa Maria del Pi.

The French singer-songwriter and guitarist performs his repertoire of swing and jazz music. 1pm. Monopol, Rambla del Poblenou 74.

28 PIERRE ARNAUD

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE

See the Oscar-winning, Uruguayan singer-songwriter as he presents music from his latest album, Salvavidas de Hielo (2017).

9pm. Gran Teatre del Liceu.

27 JORGE DEXLER

ROMEU I JULIETA AL LABERINT MÀGIC A new take on Shakespeare’s classic places Romeo and Juliet within the confines of a mystical maze.

Gran Teatre del Liceu. January 20th, 21st & 28th.

Integrating several holistic therapies, including sonotherapy, yoga and aromatherapy, this workshop aims to awaken the body and relax the mind. 7.45pm. Centre Artesà Tradicionarius, Travessia de Sant Antoni 6.

20 EL VIAJE DE LA KUNDALINI

After 25 years together and 12 studio albums, the Spanish heavy metal rock band present their new album, El Parque de los Poetas (2017).

8.30pm. Razzmatazz.

26 SINKOPE

NIXIE: DEEP INSIDE Nixie takes her audience on a journey to the bottom of the ocean with her contemporary dance, in which she interacts with sound and video to produce an energised and electrifying performance.

Hiroshima. Until January 21st.

The Spanish band celebrate their 10-year anniversary with the release of their latest album, Un Sentimiento Importante (2017). 9pm. Sala Apolo.

19 MUJERES

RAISE A GLASS PRISCILLA LAVOIE, FOUNDER AND CEO OF DRINK-SUBSCRIPTION APP BIDA, TALKS LIFE, LOVE AND LIQUIDS

By Carol Moran

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riscilla Lavoie is the founder of Bida, a subscriptionbased app that gives its members one drink every day at a choice of bars and restaurants across Barcelona. Launched in May 2017, the app already has nearly 3,000 users in Barcelona and 35 participating venues, which is forecasted to rise to 50 venues in 2018. “Our members get one free drink a day at our partner bars in Barcelona for €9.99 per month. So for €10 a month, you can have up to 31 cocktails in great bars across the city.”

We meet at Born’s favourite new spot (and participating venue), Big Kokka, just before the lunch rush on a bright November day.

Dressed in a wine-coloured, off-the-shoulder jumpsuit, and with a glass of verdejo in hand, Lavoie smiles warmly, sweeps her long, dark hair to one side and sits down to recount her journey. She’s focused and concise, and not a word is wasted.

Born in Montreal to a Sri Lankan mother and French Canadian father, Lavoie and her family moved to Florida when she was three years old, where her parents ran a hotel. “My parents were entrepreneurs,” she begins, “so I’ve always had entrepreneurial tendencies. In the fifth grade, I was already buying lollipops in bulk at Walmart and selling them to my classmates for a dollar a pop—until my teacher told me to stop, obviously!”

The family stayed in Florida for a decade, during which time they moved around. “I think one of the things that really makes me who I am is the fact that I moved 10 times during the 10 years that I lived in Florida. I was constantly going to new schools and having to start again, so I learnt to adapt to new environments.” At 13, the family returned to Montreal. “I didn’t know a word of French,” she recalls, “and I was thrown into a French school, which was another new challenge and new environment.”

After studying finance at university in Montreal, Lavoie found herself working in a technology startup that sold software. “This was 2008 and startups weren’t really a thing yet, in Montreal at least, but I kind of just fell into this opportunity. We were about 30 people and I started working in sales and marketing.” A year later, the company was acquired, an experience that awakened her entrepreneurial spirit once more: “It really opened my eyes to the experience of helping to build a company, grow a company and sell it off to a bigger entity, and I thought it was so thrilling and exciting to be part of it,” she enthuses. “That’s kind of when I started to think about maybe doing my own startup at some point.”

So, how did she end up in Barcelona? “I had visited Barcelona as a tourist and I actually hated it,” she laughs. “Fast forward to 2012, and I was looking into getting out of Montreal. I’m a sun baby, having grown up in Florida, and I was sick of the cold winters.”

After realising how difficult it is to emigrate and start a new job in a new country, Lavoie decided to use the opportunity to study abroad instead. She applied for the prestigious MBA programme at IESE Business School, and landed here in September 2012.

“I spent two years in Barcelona and I fell in love with the city during that time,” she beams, “but I also fell in love with a boy— who’s now my husband—someone I met on the MBA programme.”

After finishing the MBA, the couple moved back to Montreal, but it wasn’t long before Lavoie had itchy feet again. “My heart was really still in Spain,” she said, “so I started to look for opportunities.”

One night in October 2016, she saw the light; an idea that would become her passport back to Barcelona. “I was in bed, probably about one in the morning, reading TechCrunch, and I came across an article about a company in the US,” she recalls. It was a company that had attracted a lot of funding, and it prompted Lavoie to start imagining something similar in Spain. “I was reading articles until about three or four. I had to wake my husband up. I nudged him and said ‘Hey Dom, I need to go to Barcelona’.”

Two days later, the ambitious 31-year-old was on a plane with a one-way ticket. “I had to be on the ground. I spent a month talking to all my contacts: bar owners, restaurant owners, investors, people in the startup industry. Anyone I could get my hands on. When I decided that the idea was worth pursuing, we packed up our lives in a period of two weeks at the end of December and moved here

at the beginning of January to begin Bida.”

Once settled, she hit the ground running. “My business partner, Ivan Peralta, and I started working on the product development process in early January. We put out a beta in early March and launched publically in May,” she explains. “Bida is a spinoff of the idea that I had seen in the US. The idea for the bars is that they get more people through the door, which, ultimately, increases revenues.” And the reaction from bar and restaurant owners has been a pleasant surprise. “When I sit down with a bar owner or manager, I would say that 80-90 percent of the time, they’re willing to take a chance with Bida, and I love that about this city, people are really open to try new things.”

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. The Herculean task of getting a business off the ground was made all the more difficult as a foreigner. “I definitely feel like I have become more resilient,” Lavoie observes. “Starting a business here as a resident is challenging, but coming here without a NIE or anything, it was quite a frustrating ride, especially over the first six months. I was working non-stop, dealing with all the bureaucracy, to the point that by June I was almost burned-out. I even kicked a wall once!”

She took a step back and realised that she needed to make some changes; to practise what she preaches and start enjoying the good life. “There’s the Silicon Valley mentality of working non-stop, but if you don’t take a moment to yourself to enjoy your surroundings, you’re going to be miserable. So, I started going out more, and enjoyed the summer. It really did change my happiness levels, and I started to love this place again.”

Feeling energised, Lavoie is looking to expand Bida to other parts of Spain. “I think the Spanish market as a whole really enjoys going out, it’s such a sociable culture. That’s why I came here in the first place, I saw this app working so well here.” And at just 31 years old, Bida seems like it might just be the beginning for Lavoie. She has had a taste for the entrepreneurial life and doesn’t intend to look back. “I have always wanted to be my own boss, and having this experience, I don’t think I would be able to work for somebody else again.” Giving back, however, is on her agenda. “To give back to the startup community in Barcelona, in the form of being a mentor or even as an angel or VC, that’s something that I would love to do. I think there is such a lack of women in that space and world.”

Business aside, Lavoie holds her family dear and, for her, their approval is the ultimate mark of success. “I just want to make my parents proud. Is that sad to say?! I want them to look at their daughter and think ‘we created her and we’re happy about it, look what she’s done!’” I’m sure they’ll raise a glass to that. Cheers!

Bida is offering Metropolitan readers one month free—that’s up to 31 free cocktails! All you have to do is download the app and input the code ‘METROPOLITAN’ when signing up (new users only) before February 15th. Don’t miss out!

The Very Present Future is a Barcelona-based series of interviews spearheaded by Milo de Prieto. Barcelona has a long history of innovation, progressive thinking and initiative that has defined the city and region for hundreds of years. Milo has spent five years interviewing and videoing interesting thinkers and doers from all walks of life—politics, art, architecture, music, business; local and international—all of whom have had a positive influence in some way.

Metropolitan has teamed up with Milo to interview more people investing in the excellence of the city, based on three key questions: How did you get to where you are today? What are you doing right now? Where are you going from here?

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PHOTO ESSAY

BREATHING SPACE PHOTOGRAPHER BLANCHE CARRERAS DAVID FINDS HER PEACE OF MIND IN THE HILLS OF COLLSEROLA

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ollserola is a place where I can easily lose myself.

Watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean and the city, or set behind the mountains, are the best ways to start or end the day. Walking through the woods with my camera, I capture the silence, peace and serenity that this small mountain range emits. At these times, there are just a few other people around, such as Paco and Silvia (pictured), who are also there to enjoy the stillness.

Not only is Collserola a space where I can breathe and observe the city from a distance, it also allows me to engage with my thoughts, relax and take in everything that is going on around me. I observe the seasonal changes, the plants, the views and the people I encounter. Walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages find themselves sharing this natural spot.

As a photographer, I focus on portraiture and documentary, exploring the different environments we live in.

I photograph communities, cultures and habits in search of what connects us and what makes us all unique.

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CULTURE CLUB BARCELONA IS HOME TO MORE THAN 250,000 FOREIGN RESIDENTS, MAKING IT A HOTBED FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE

By Garry Gallon

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arcelona is a melting pot of different cultures, many of which are represented in the city by cultural societies that allow foreign residents and locals alike to share their customs. Although foreigners in the city are often transitory, and the associations set up to promote their cultures come and go, some societies have maintained a consistent presence over the years and organise a wealth of opportunities to get involved.

SCOTCAT scotcat.cat ScotCat is the newest society that encourages cultural exchange in the city. The Scottish-Catalan friendship association was launched in November 2017 in front of an enthusiastic audience—the majority of which seemed to represent the Catalan half of the friendship.

ScotCat founder Darienne Walker led the presentation, explaining the motives for starting the group: to build bonds, encourage appreciation of Scottish culture in Catalunya and help dispel some misleading stereotypes. Following the presentation, the audience contributed a range of activity suggestions, from Scottish dancing classes and cèilidhs, to whisky tastings and even a trip to visit the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which was designed by Catalan architectural firm EMBT. As the guests helped themselves to a dram of whisky and clapped along to the token bagpiper, Walker seemed impressed with the turnout, but not that surprised. “A lot of people here are attracted to Scottish culture because both Scottish and Catalan traditions are well defined,” she said. “There are some likenesses in the culture that attract Catalans to Scotland and vice versa.”

Secretary Mhari Bain agreed, admitting that there is also a strong link between them because of their respective independence movements, but says it goes further: “Catalans feel a real affinity with Scotland, not only for political reasons, but also because they love the Scottish countryside, the history, the traditions. They think it’s very romantic.” And although Walker expects that they will have to address the independence issue in some way, the society is staying neutral: “We all have our personal views, but politics won’t be discussed at our events,” she confirmed.

Instead, they will continue to import Scottish traditions, such as their upcoming Burns Night event. They also hope to hold a Highland Games event in Catalunya, complete with caber-tossing and Highland dancing, sometime in late 2018 or early 2019, and are considering seeking support from both VisitScotland and the Catalan Generalitat. “We’d love to get some castellers and traditional Catalan dancers to perform alongside the Scots,” Walker enthused, “so we can live up to both parts of our name.”

AMERICAN SOCIETY amersoc.com The Barcelona American Society was established in 1974, initially as a chamber of commerce for the United States in Barcelona.

According to Victor Horcasitas, who has been the president of the society since 2005, the mission of the group is to celebrate the cultures of Catalunya, Spain and the United States. “We try to help foreigners integrate, to help them appreciate the culture and live harmoniously in our host country, within the broader Englishspeaking community of Barcelona,” he said, adding that club members include a wide mix of nationalities. “Around 40 percent are from the US; 20-30 percent are Catalan or Spanish, and we also have British, French, German and Dutch members.” The society also represents members from other American countries. “We have a good number of Canadians,” he said. “I, myself, am Mexican by birth, but hold dual citizenship with the United States. There are a lot of other Mexicans too, so it’s kind of like the North American society as opposed to just a United States society.”

The society hosts a happy hour event on the third Wednesday of every month, as well as up to three other monthly events that are either cultural or business-related. “We do hikes, tax and immigration seminars, wine, cheese and honey tastings, capital-

raising conferences—anything that the community wants, we are happy to do,” said Horcasitas. “We currently have around 4,000 registered members, and if any one of them wants to do an event, we are very proud to champion our members’ businesses.”

What does he think is the biggest difference between Catalan and North American culture? “Americans who come here may not have realised it before, but one of the identities we have is that, fundamentally, we are capitalists, whereas there is a very strong socialist tendency in the Catalan way of doings things.”

But the similarities outweigh any cultural differences. “We all love to eat very well, and we all love networking,” he said.

Recent events seem to corroborate this—the society held a fullon American Thanksgiving feast in November boasting all the traditional trimmings, including honey-glazed ham, oven-roasted turkey with stuffing, and apple, pumpkin and pecan pie.

SOCIEDAD SUIZA clubsuizobarcelona.com This society knows how to bring out the best of their homeland to attract new members: cheese. Not only did they fill a tray with creamy bites at Barcelona’s International Community Day in October, but they also organise a bi-annual dinner centred around the indulgent death-by-cheese dish, raclette. Cheese aside, the goals of this society are to establish a meeting point and mutual support network for Swiss people living in Barcelona and surroundings, and develop positive relations between Spain and Switzerland, although you don’t need to have Swiss nationality to join.

One of the best reasons to sign up is the restaurant located at the society’s clubhouse in Sant Gervasi (Alfons XII 95), which offers Swiss specialties such as knöpfli, spätzli, rösti and birchermüesli.

Previous society events include a celebration of Switzerland’s national day on August 1st, a trip to Andorra to see the Swiss national football team play, and a castanyada-themed meal.

UPCOMING EVENTS SCOTCAT The new society will organise this year’s event to celebrate the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Try the traditional Scottish dish haggis, made with a delightful combination of minced sheep’s intestines and stomach, and practise a few steps in the cèilidh.

February 3rd or 10th, TBC.

AMERICAN SOCIETY The monthly Happy Hour event will take place on Wednesday, January 17th.

SOCIEDAD SUIZA The Swiss society will host a raclette dinner on February 9th and a calçotada on March 11th, both at the clubhouse in Sant Gervasi.

GOETHE-INSTITUT January’s cinema programme includes Tour de Force (2013) on the 9th, The Strange Little Cat (2013) on the 16th, and Kebab Connection (2004) on the 23rd. There will also be a Germanlanguage poetry slam on January 26th.

FESTIVAL DE SOPES DEL MÓN This annual festival—which usually takes place in March— celebrates one of the most universal gastronomic customs: a good bowl of soup. Inspired by a similar festival in Lille, France, it is a true international experience that allows different cultures to share culinary traditions from all over the world. festivalsopes.blogspot.com.es

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INSTITUTO ITALIANO

Photo courtesy of ScotCat

iicbarcellona.esteri.it The Italian Institute of Culture in Barcelona (Passatge de Méndez Vigo 5) has been active since 1950 and is part of a global network of 83 institutes managed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Its mission is to promote Italian classical and contemporary culture around the world. A big part of this is offering language courses for all levels. The institute also organises events in collaboration with local entities and Italian artists, including exhibitions, book presentations, shows, theatrical performances, concerts, film screenings and dance performances.

Course Coordinator Annamaria Ciaravola said that a mix of nationalities frequent the institute but the majority of alumni are formed by locals with an interest in Italian culture and understanding the language. “Some parts of Italy and Catalunya have a shared historical past,” Ciaravola said. “If we add linguistic proximity, we can affirm that Catalan culture is not particularly distant from Italian culture.”

GOETHE-INSTITUT BARCELONA goethe.de The Goethe-Institut is a cultural institution that represents Germany around the world, helping to promote the language, as well as international cultural exchange and cooperation.

The institute in Barcelona (Roger de Flor 224) offers Germanlanguage courses and official exams, as well as an extensive library in German. It also organises a range of cultural activities, including a film club and a book club, art exhibitions, and a happy hour in which you can test out your language skills in a relaxed environment, every Wednesday at 7pm.

The Goethe-Institut also frequently posts job offers and has an internship programme for students who are finishing their degrees. Find out about available positions on their website.

A traditional Scottish cèilidh

NATIONALITIES IN BARCELONA

CLUB ESCANDINAVO DE BARCELONA facebook.com/clubescandinavo Dating back to 1927, the Club Escandinavo de Barcelona (Tamarit 154) is a private non-profit club, whose purpose is to be a meeting place for Nordic residents in Barcelona, as well as a space for others to get to know the cultures of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark. The society celebrates the national days and traditional holidays of these Scandinavian countries, as well as hosting conferences and book presentations related to Nordic culture, with most activities open to both members and the public.

Past events have included a cycle of cooking workshops on how to prepare Nordic cuisine like tapas-style dishes smörgåstårta, skagenröra and gubbröra. They have also hosted a Scandinavian brunch on the beach, a traditional Finnish dinner in the spring, and a Swedish-style Christmas dinner at Ikea Gran Via.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS INTERNATIONS InterNations is an association with communities in 390 cities worldwide, with a base in Barcelona that helps newcomers to settle in. The group can help answer a lot of questions about work permits, the healthcare system, expat-friendly neighbourhoods and international schools in Barcelona. internations.org/barcelona-expats

FEDERACIÓN DE ASOCIACIONES AMERICANAS EN CATALUNYA FASAMCAT is made up of cultural societies that represent South and Central American countries.

It organises the annual Vive America-America Vive event, a music and dance festival in October that celebrates Latin American cultures. fasamcat.org

CASA ASIA This cultural centre was created to promote dialogue about Asian countries in Spain, and covers civic, political, social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. It supports activities and projects that promote knowledge sharing and the development of relations between Asian and Spanish societies. casaasia.es

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12/19/17 12:53 PM

WORKING LIFE

startup of the month

BIOO

PABLO M. VIDARTE, 21, CEO

By Natalie Donback

Bioo specialises in developing new technologies that create electricity from the photosynthesis of plants. During the process of photosynthesis, plants convert energy from the sun into carbohydrates. After consuming this food, the plant expels leftover substances through its roots and bacteria in the soil breaks them down, liberating electrons in the process. Using electrodes, we catch the electrons and create a current—it’s kind of a biological battery.

We are exploring the concept of treating a live plant as a solar panel. There are ways in which you can extract energy without harming the plant, simply by using resources that it no longer needs. We wanted to do something that was a game changer, something that wasn’t conceived as possible.

Our plan is to implement this technology across the world, starting with small products. The Bioo Pass, for example, is a plant pot that allows you to

access a WiFi network without a password, which can be useful in various contexts, such as hotels or libraries. You simply tap your phone against the plant pot and it will connect to the network. We have also just released the Bioo Ed kit, which helps school children build their own biological batteries to create electricity from plants and light up LEDs. We’ve run a lot of pilot tests, and both teachers and children were astonished. They loved it.

We’re looking to implement the technology in the agricultural sector too.

Farmers use sensors to measure things like humidity and sun radiation in their crops, which need electricity. If you use solar panels, it’s difficult because you have to make sure they’re not covered up or stolen. So what better way to power them than with a technology that’s hidden in the soil itself?

Our goal is to change the way people think about the symbiosis of nature and technology. The next step is to implement the concept more broadly and to create the solar stations of the future. This technology works day and night, and is not affected by weather, so it can also work in northern countries that don’t get much sun. It’s not just about technology, it’s about protecting and nurturing trees and forests to make them bigger and healthier; they are the solar stations of the future.

Last month we presented Bioo at the European Parliament. We have been selected as one of the most innovative startups in Europe, we were featured in the Forbes European ‘30 under 30’ list, and won the award for most disruptive startup of the year at the South Summit in Madrid last year. We’ve also had a lot of interest from investors, which is pretty cool because it has allowed us to select investors based on the most suitable benefits, such as the use of lab facilities.

Barcelona has a great approach to innovation and investing in the future.

I’ve not seen that in the rest of Europe. Places like London are investing in startups, but they’re not investing that much in innovation and mostly stick to apps. We wouldn’t have got this far if we hadn’t been based in Barcelona.

GET INSPIRED...

THE POWER OF BALANCE

LEARNING LAB

HOMELESS HACKATHON

IESE. January 24th. 8.45am-7pm.

The third annual Women in Business Conference hosted by students at IESE draws on the theme of conceptualising ‘success’. It invites guests to challenge preconceived notions and develop their own ideas. Speakers include Raquel Tejedor, account executive at Microsoft, Laura Ros, general director of Volkswagen Spain, and Núria Cabutí Brull, CEO of Penguin Random House. iesewib.com

Ubiqum Code Academy. January 25th. 6.30pm.

Get creative with your social media strategy, with tips and tricks from The Noise Lab. The January workshop will discuss all the important tools for creating an effective strategy to reach your target audience. It will cover communication via different social media channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. As usual, the workshop will be followed by a Q&A session and networking. thenoiselab.es

OneCoWork. January 20th & 21st. 10am.

Share your skills for a good cause at this special event hosted by OneCowork. Marketers, developers, accountants and other specialists will be offering their guidance to three homeless entrepreneurs in an effort to start or grow their business. The weekend’s activities will encompass talks, workshops and consultancy services, working in teams to transform lives through knowledge sharing. onecowork.com

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WORKING LIFE

FINANCING YOUR STARTUP A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FUNDING A NEW BUSINESS IDEA

By Natalie Donback

B

arcelona’s startup ecosystem is brimming with possibilities and motivated entrepreneurs ready to make things happen. But how easy is it to attract the funding needed to transform your initial business idea into a functioning and profitable startup? You might have a well-practised elevator pitch and a business plan you believe in, but how do you take the next step and find the funding to back it? From Venture Capitalists (VCs) and your own funds to crowdfunding platforms and support from friends and family, the best funding model for your idea depends on the type and scale of the business you want to create.

FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FOOLS (FFFS) “The cost of launching a new online business has decreased significantly, as technologies make it not only easier and cheaper to launch an idea, but also enable access to markets at a reduced cost,” said Ignasi Fonts, managing partner at Inveready, one of the leading early-stage venture capital funds in Spain. Early e-commerce businesses had to build absolutely everything from scratch; today, costs of setting up are much lower, as anyone can pay a monthly fee to simply use someone else’s platform.

If you’re looking to launch an online business, reaching out to family and friends could help you attract the necessary funding to create a prototype and gather information that demonstrates whether there is a market for your product. Carlos Guerrero, business angel, mentor and founder of Sitka Capital—an investment vehicle specialised in funding the initial phases of startups—recommends that you turn to so-called ‘FFFs’ and really get to know the target sector, before reaching out to professional investors and business angels. This approach is mostly suitable for tech startups with low operational costs, and enables businesses to get up and running before looking for funding elsewhere.

PERSONAL FUNDS A large number of startup founders use their own capital to kick-start their business. If you’re not willing to invest in your idea, why should an outsider invest? Globally, about 95 percent of entrepreneurs tap into their own funds when starting a business. Last year, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, one of the largest worldwide studies of entrepreneurship, reported that Spain, together with Israel, has the lowest level of such financing, with 79 percent of entrepreneurs using their own assets. The same report also showed that the average amount needed to launch a business in Spain is about €14,850. Many startup experts recommend bootstrapping your business during the first year, as low operational costs will give you higher profit margins and make it easier to scale your business.

Robert Muños, the co-founder and joint-CEO of Typeform—a software company specialised in data collection and conversational online forms— just raised $35 million in Series B funding. But when Muños and Typeform co-founder David Okuniev first had the idea, they spent over a year and a half working in their own digital agencies, while building Typeform on the side. “At some point you can feel that you’re risking too much, but in our case it worked because it allowed us to present something tangible that was completely different from anything else on the market.” It’s much more difficult to ask for investment when you have nothing more than an idea to show, nor previous experience in creating other successful startups. “What worked for us was to invest heavily in the product and the team, putting amazing people around our idea.”

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LOANS AND STARTUP COMPETITIONS If you’re looking to create a business with more fixed expenses and profit margins, such as a restaurant or a cafe, a bank loan can be a good option.

In contrast to investors, banks are less likely to look for short-term, quick growth, although guarantors are required. In addition to loans, some banks offer different investment programmes and competitions aimed at supporting startups in their initial phase. Every year, Banco Sabadell invests in 10 young technology and digital startups through its initiative ‘BStartUp10’, which offers up to €100,000 to businesses based in Spain.

La Caixa also hosts its own competition, ‘Emprendedor XXI’, awarding companies between €5,000 and €25,000 within different categories, including life science, information technology and digital businesses. It also invests in the early stages of innovative technology startups through its venture capital arm, Caixa Capital Risc.

VENTURE CAPITALISTS One way to attract seed funding is to look for investment from a VC firm.

In the past five years, Barcelona has seen a steady growth in the number of VC firms based in the city, including Connector, Seedrocket, SHIP2B, Itnig, Wayra, IMPACT, Nuclio, Numa, Sitka and Inveready, amongst others.

Many VCs specialise in certain types of startups and businesses, meaning that careful research is crucial if you want to find the right VC and increase your chances of landing investment. In Barcelona, for example, you’ll find several VCs supporting biotech, life science and digital startups.

To anyone launching a startup, Muños recommends that you “select the investors as if you were going to work next to them, all day, every day”. You need the confidence to talk to them about both the good and bad things that come with creating a business. “It’s important to select good investors.

And it’s not just about money, but about finding someone who can help you grow and introduce you to the right people and ideas,” he advised.

CROWDFUNDING Creating a crowdfunding campaign through sites such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo can be an alternative funding source, which can simultaneously serve to demonstrate your traction to future investors. This model also allows founders to keep control of their companies, in contrast to bringing investors on board too early. Creating a successful crowdfunding campaign can be a large project in itself, and requires a lot of time and energy. There are increasingly niched platforms available, such as iFundWomen, which specifically focuses on helping female founders raise money. Smaller platforms often generate a strong sense of community by connecting individuals who are genuinely interested in a certain sector and helping founders within it succeed.

Co-founder Robert Muños, shows Metropolitan around the offices of Typeform, one of Barcelona’s most successful startups

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WORKING LIFE

Eleanor Walker is the director of Useful Languages, a Cambridge oral and writing examiner and mother of a two-yearold girl. Originally from Sheffield, England, she came to Barcelona just over five years to be with her partner, after having lived in Seville for nine years.

A DAY IN THE LIFE ELEANOR WALKER, UK, DIRECTOR OF USEFUL LANGUAGES 7AM If my daughter hasn’t woken up before this time, then I’m naturally awake by 7am, or 7.30am at the latest. I rarely have to set an alarm these days. I usually have breakfast while playing with my daughter before she goes off to nursery.

on that day. I eat something fairly quickly at the academy but never at my desk; I like to go into a different room and watch something on YouTube while I eat to try to disconnect just a little.

9AM If it’s my turn to take my daughter to nursery then I drop her off as close to nine as we can manage, and then head to the academy. Some days, I have an offsite business class that I go to first, and other days I might be examining anywhere in or around Barcelona.

My tasks in the office vary massively from checking how the classes are running (speaking to students, observing classes, etc.) to communicating with clients, organising my very erratic working week and also constantly looking for ways to attract new students and keep business coming in. We have recently become an exam centre, offering the long-standing TOEFL exam, as well as looking for ways to promote the brand new Oxford Test of English. It all keeps me very busy!

3PM The afternoon is pretty much a repeat of the morning, although my overall routine varies from day to day, depending on what classes I have or what time of year it is. If it’s peak exam season, for example, I can be examining all day.

1.30PM My lunch can be any time between 1.30pm and 3.30pm—although I don’t take a two-hour lunch break—depending on what classes I have or what’s going

6PM I try to get home much earlier these days to spend some time with my daughter before she goes to bed. We play for an hour or so, then it’s dinner, bath and bed.

8PM My partner and I try to have dinner a little earlier than we used to—around 8-8.30pm—then we like to wind down watching something on Netflix. We’re currently watching the new season of Modern Family. I also try to get out for dinner at least once a week with friends, although it’s not usually a late night anymore— toddlers and hangovers just don’t mix!

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Photo courtesy of Baqueira Beret Resort

TRAVEL

WHITE OUT GET YOUR SNOW FIX IN THE CATALAN PYRENEES THIS WINTER

By Lottie Hanwell

O

n the subject of Spanish holidays, many ‘s’ words spring to mind: sun, sea, sand, sangria. Snow, however, is not typically at the top of the list. Yet, as the evenings get darker and temperatures plummet, acres of luscious national parks in the Pyrenees convert into a powdery wonderland, attracting thousandss of avid skiers each year. Perhaps one of Catalunya’s best kept secrets is its many competitively-priced ski resorts, some just a couple of hours’ drive from our Mediterranean metropolis.

BAQUEIRA BERET

baqueira.es With 146 kilometres of long, wide ski runs across three main areas (Baqueira, Beret and Bonaigua), Baqueira Beret is Spain’s largest and most popular ski resort, often dubbed the Spanish equivalent of the Les Trois Vallées in the French Alps, minus the inflated prices and slow queues. Located in the highest part of the Aran Valley, the resort’s position within the Pyrenees and its Atlantic-facing westerly aspect ensure good snow coverage throughout the season.

Though the Sixties resort towns may leave a little to be desired in terms of architectural charm, the five extensive national parks that surround the area more than compensate with their striking beauty.

Beginners will find plenty of easy-cruising terrain, with the largest concentration of green slopes around the Pla de Beret area, whilst intermediate-advanced skiers have a choice of 37 red slopes and 15 black slopes. For those looking for something more challenging, there are five ungroomed runs, including the pulse-raising Escornacabres (meaning ‘where goats tumble’), as well as 2,000 hectares of accessible off-piste and Europe’s cheapest heli-skiing (pyreneesheliski.com).

Baqueira Beret

WHERE TO STAY Hotel Montarto is ideally located at the foot of the Baqueira Beret ski station. It is a good option for families, with several quadruple rooms, a swimming pool and in-house children’s entertainment to keep the little ones occupied in the evenings. It also boasts a gym and spa facilities, tennis courts, a piano bar and two restaurants, serving what is considered to be one of the best breakfasts in the Pyrenees. Carretera Bonaigue-Baqueira, 1500. en.montarto.com WHERE TO EAT The cobbled streets of nearby ancient villages Arties, Gessa and Vielha are teeming with traditional tapas bars serving authentic Catalan cuisine, including Restaurant Can Pere (Avda. deth Pas d’Arró 29, Vielha) and Casa Rufus (Sant Jaume-ag.gessa 8, Gessa).

HOW TO GET THERE By car: 4 hours.

ALP 2500

lamolina.cat Alp 2500 is the combination of La Masella and La Molina, two welllinked resorts each with their own unique history and character.

Stretching across the Serra del Cadí mountain range, the 141 kilometres of mostly north-eastern facing pistes give panoramic views of the vast Cerdanya valley. It was within the thick pine forests of La Molina that skiing was first practised in Spain, when the resort opened in 1943. The region now comprises 46 pistes, 58 percent of

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WHERE TO STAY The relative proximity of Alp 2500 to Barcelona makes it a feasible day trip destination. For those looking for a longer trip, however, Hotel Jaume in the nearby town of Alp (Central 30) is a family-run hotel with a warm, friendly atmosphere just a short drive from the resort. hoteljaume.com WHERE TO EAT The nearby town of Puigcerdà has many great places to eat, including Tap de Suro (Querol 21), a cosy restaurant that specialises in seasonal tapas expertly paired with good wines. For local cuisine in a spectacular setting, La Sidreria at Cerdanya’s aerodrome offers a reasonably priced menú del día against a beautiful backdrop.

HOW TO GET THERE By train: Take the R3 train from Plaça de Catalunya to La Molina (2 hours 50 minutes). A return train ticket and oneday ski pass bought from the La Molina website costs €41.

By car: The 150-kilometre journey takes approximately two hours, depending on traffic, and includes several toll roads.

VALL DE NÚRIA

valldenuria.cat This remote, wide-stretching valley is hidden amongst peaks of almost 3,000 metres within the Eastern Pyrenees. Legend says that in the eighth century, Saint Giles lived in the valley and crafted an image of the Virgin Mary that he was forced to hide before fleeing from Roman persecution. Centuries later, a pilgrim discovered the image and Vall de Núria became a popular pilgrimage site. Today, however, it tends to be tourists rather than pilgrims that flock to the mountain retreat.

In summer, it’s a haven of luscious plants and emerald pastures, while by winter snow blankets the valley, creating a small, intimate ski resort with 11 slopes and two ski schools—ideal for beginners and young families. Though fairly limited in terms of restaurants and accommodation, Vall de Núria is well connected to Barcelona by rail, and can be considered for a day trip.

HOW TO GET THERE: By train: Take the R3 from Plaça de Catalunya to Ribes de Freser. From there, take the rack railway up to the valley.

By car: 1 hour 45 minutes (to Ribes de Freser). Vehicles are not permitted in the valley, so park here and catch the rack railway up the mountain.

La Molina

OFF PISTE

When the ski boots start to pinch, take a break from the slopes to explore what else the Pyrenees have to offer

ADVENTURE

Parc d’Aventura als Arbres, La Molina Traverse the treetops at this adventure park, complete with zip lines, monkey bridges and Tarzan swings.

Parc Lúdic, Vall de Núria A family-friendly park with sleigh tracks, tubing, snow skating, a climbing zone and zip line.

WALK

Nordic walking, La Molina Experience the mountains by foot.

Moonlit Snowshoeing, Vall de Núria Enjoy the natural landscape during the quieter hours.

Photo courtesy of valldenuria.cat

Photo courtesy of Baqueira Beret Resort

which are blues and greens that run right from the top, making for a more varied and interesting introductory experience. La Masella has a similar quantity of beginner slopes, but also 17 black slopes, as well as Parc Neu de la Pleta—a large snow park full of challenging jumps, boxes and rails. The pistes are open for evening skiing every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 9.30pm.

LEARN

Musèu Dera Val d’Aran, Vielha Take a trip through the history of the valley, from prehistoric times to the present day.

RELAX

Balneario Caldes de Boí, Vall de Boí Indulge in the healing and relaxing powers of 37 natural mineral water springs.

La Pleta Hotel and Spa, Baqueira Beret Rest mind, body and soul at the hotel’s luxury spa.

Vall de Núria

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Photo courtesy of Boí Taüll Resort Boí Taüll

BOÍ TAÜLL

boitaullresort.com The Boí Taüll resort is a narrow valley surrounded by the soaring peaks of Catalunya’s Aigüestortes and Lake Sant Maurici National Park. With lifts taking skiers up to 2,751 metres above sea level, this is the highest ski resort in the Spanish Pyrenees. With mainly red and black runs, the resort appeals to intermediate and advanced level skiers—think wide pistes with plenty of untouched powder— although at lower altitudes there is a small selection of quiet greens and blues. For freestyle lovers, there is a large and varied snowpark catering to all abilities, with areas for those learning to jump, as well as boxes and rails for the seasoned adrenaline seekers.

WHERE TO STAY Vall de Boí is dotted with many picturesque villages, best known for their Romanesque churches, which date back to the 11th and 12th centuries. Stay at Hostal La Plaça (Plaça de la Iglesia 1) in the nearby town of Erill la Vall, a small and reasonably priced hotel and restaurant renowned for its family feel and personalised service. hostal-laplaza.com WHERE TO EAT La Granja (Santa Eulàlia 1A) in Erill la Vall serves traditional Catalan cuisine enhanced by the chef’s unique twist. The restaurant’s beautiful setting beneath the church of Santa Eulàlia and its friendly and attentive staff make it great for a warming evening meal. Pizzeria Casós (Carretera de Taull 11), an Italian trattoria in Boí, specialises in pizza made with locally sourced ingredients.

HOW TO GET THERE By car: 4 hours.

By bus: 4.5 hours. Buses leave from Estació Nord and stop in the nearby town of El Pont de Suert approximately four times per day.

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Photo courtesy of Mercantic

DAY TRIP

SANT CUGAT OVER THE HILLS BUT NOT FAR AWAY, THERE’S MORE TO THIS SMALL CITY THAN MEETS THE EYE

By Paul Cannon

I

t might not have the seaside romance of Sitges or the historic appeal of provincial capitals such as Tarragona and Girona, but Sant Cugat’s day trip allure is not to be ignored. It has the Collserola Natural Park on its doorstep, an iconic Benedictine monastery, the hippest bric-a-brac market in Catalunya, and a host of great places to eat out. It’s also an easy 30-minute train ride from Plaça de Catalunya.

MONESTIR DE SANT CUGAT With its lantern tower and Gothic rosette window dressed in handsome golden stone, this Benedictine abbey provides an impressive backdrop to Sant Cugat’s prettiest square, Plaça Octavià. It occupies the site of the original Roman forum, where in the early fourth century St. Cucuphas, an African missionary, is said to have been executed in accordance with the Emperor Diocletian’s religious pogrom against Christians.

While much of the current building was constructed between the 10th and the 14th century, the 12th-century cloister hints at more primitive origins with its Romanesque capitals carved out of Montjuïc stone. In fact, there has been a church here since before the incursions of the Moorish warlord Almanzor, who destroyed the monastery in the 10th century. The grounds of the monastery now hold the city’s history museum (open Tuesday-Saturday 10.30am-1pm and 4-7pm; Sunday 10.30am-2.30pm), as well as the ruins of the original Visigothic chapel. It’s a 15-minute walk from Sant Cugat FGC Station, via Sant Cugat’s main shopping precinct.

MERCANTIC Wandering around Sant Cugat’s obscenely cool brocante it can feel as if you’ve stumbled upon an alternative reality designed by Pinterest. Open Tuesday to Sunday (Tuesday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 10am-4pm), the market combines flea-market bric-a-brac with bookshops, art galleries and hangars brimming with hip industrial furniture and beautifully restored high-end antiques. In the midst of such sensory overload, you might even be seduced into enrolling in one of the numerous arts and crafts workshops on offer, such as French polishing or chalk painting. Also worth investigating are the live concerts (and excellent vermouths) served up on the weekend at El Siglo bookstore. Mercantic (mercantic.com) is a 10-minute walk from Volpelleres FGC Station.

PLAÇA OCTAVIÀ In the shadow of the monastery, the square has been the chief social hub since Roman times, when Sant Cugat was little more than a military fort known as Castrum Octavianum. Today, it is the scene of a weekend flea market and long alfresco dinners on terraces in the shade of the holm oaks. El Meson and Restaurant La Plaça are the time-honoured spots to park your afternoon vermouth. A couple of blocks away is the fabulously restored Modernista Mercat Vell, with fresh market food in a plush setting.

EAT AT…CAN GULA One of the trendiest eateries in town is located in the middle of Mercantic. A cross between a French bistro and a Catalan xiringuito, Can Gula’s creative Mediterranean cuisine makes an enticing pit stop between browsing.

HOW TO GET THERE Sant Cugat is served by the S1, S2, S5, S6 and S7 trains from Plaça de Catalunya. The journey takes 26 minutes. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could take your mountain bike along, and hop off at Les Planes station. From here it’s a 30-minute ride into Sant Cugat along the mostly rural Carretera de Vallvidera.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

DIRTY SOUTH FINGER LICKIN’ AMERICAN FARE

By Sam Zucker

C

oming away from a pleasant Friday night dinner at Dirty South, my first thoughts were, ‘finally, an American restaurant in Barcelona that doesn’t perpetuate the local misperception that the only culinary export of the US is McDonald’s’. The Spanish attempts at Fifties-style American diners have always left me with a dismal mix of depression and indigestion, so I was instantly smitten with Dirty South’s offering of pan-Southern US barbecue—from sauce-drenched ribs and bread and butter pickles, to crispy hushpuppy corn fritters and fried green tomatoes—and its kitschy, classic cocktail menu, spiked with equal parts bourbon and nostalgia.

The creation of an American and Irish couple, Dirty South might not make barbecue purists happy, but the menu is certainly appealing to most, and anyone from this side of the Atlantic surely won’t be bothered that Alabama-style fried chicken and New Orleans ‘po’ boy’ sandwiches are on the same menu.

Our meal was a free-form mix of South Carolina, Tennessee, Creole and Cajun cuisines, with the legendary seafood, meat, rice and broth melting pot known as ‘gumbo’ sharing the table with Memphis baked beans and a grilled watermelon salad.

I began dinner with a potent Sazerac cocktail, one of the most emblematic drinks of New Orleans, which contains rye whiskey, a drop of absinthe and the unmistakable flavour of Peychaud’s bitters.

At Dirty South, they added a bit of Catalan brandy as a homage to the original cognac-based Sazeracs of the mid-19th century, though I would have preferred mine without this extra sweetness.

The cocktail menu is one groan-inducing pun after another; the ‘Sage Against The Machine’, a blend of tequila, sage, pineapple and hibiscus, and the ‘Talk Derby To Me’ classic mint julep would be especially cringeworthy if it weren’t for the fact that the cocktails themselves are delicious and that cheesy wordplay happens to be a guilty pleasure of mine.

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Photos courtesy of Dirty South

MORE INFO

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

The hushpuppies arrived at the table first, a handful of doughy corn fritters with a crisp shell, served in a mini fryer basket with a spicy orange-coloured Creole remoulade. I’ve always thought of hushpuppies as the perfect comfort food and Dirty South’s take on them was a great start to the meal. Our second starter of fried green tomatoes had a nice amount of acidity from the tomatoes, and the tomato corn salsa balanced well with the creamy goat’s cheese sandwiched between each battered and fried layer.

Dirty South is doing a welcome service to Barcelona by introducing a new perspective on American cuisine Next came the grilled watermelon salad, which is a dish I like in theory, but I thought that the melon could have been cooked less; charred from the griddle but maintaining more of the fresh crispness of watermelon. However, it was great—and surprising— to see an American Southern-themed restaurant give so much consideration to vegetarians. I counted 10 dishes and sides with the ‘V’ symbol beside them on the menu, though all but a couple

Bruc 46 T. 646 015 167 dirtysouthbcn.com Mon-Fri 7pm–1am Sat 11.30am–3am Sun 11.30am–1am ✪✪✪

had dairy or eggs so wouldn’t be so friendly for vegans.

Our main courses were accompanied by an array of Dirty South’s side dishes—we tried all five. The bourbon-glazed carrots were delicious, tender and sweet but still with the slightest bit of texture and bite, and the vegan barbecued beans were hearty and tasty, despite lacking the flavour-deepening pork belly found in more classic recipes.

I alternated bites of the juicy buttermilk-fried chicken thigh in a rich and spicy, white Alabama barbecue sauce, with slices of the potent, housemade pickles, yellowish-green and served in a little canning jar. The chicken was incredibly tender, with a fried coating that crackled with each bite. The pickles had a nice balance of sweet and savoury—the essential character of bread and butter pickles—and had me going back for more throughout the meal.

However, I would personally prefer a less intense clove flavour, as it could easily overpower more subtle aspects of the meal.

A hefty rack of slow-cooked pork ribs arrived next, the succulent meat slathered in a sweet Memphis barbecue sauce, presented with a textbook coleslaw and an ear of grilled, buttered corn. The mild, creamy coleslaw made me nostalgic for backyard barbecues, but the corn, though grilled nicely, fell victim to the fact that the dense and starchy corn that is sold in Barcelona markets is a far cry in quality from the sweet and juicy American corn picked right off the stalk at the peak of its maturity. It really is an incredibly simple and delicious dish, but only when the corn itself is perfect.

I think Dirty South is doing a welcome service to Barcelona by introducing a new perspective on American cuisine, and though there is some room for slight improvement, this is definitely a positive addition to the city’s international food scene; not to mention that the service is excellent, too. I look forward to sampling the brunch menu, and making my way through each of the classic desserts, from gooey pecan pie to homemade ice cream sandwiches.

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Photos courtesy of Bistrot Levante

QUICK BITES

BISTROT LEVANTE A TASTE OF THE MIDDLE EAST COMES TO THE ANCIENT HEART OF BARCELONA

By Sam Zucker

L

evante is an exciting new edition to Placeta de Manuel Ribé, in the heart of El Call, Barcelona’s ancient Jewish Quarter. Chicly designed by Emiliano Armani, with low-hanging lights, marble table tops and palm fronds, expansive windows into the main dining area draw the attention of passers-by as they walk down the narrow, medieval lane of Carrer de Sant Domènec del Call.

Light and flavoursome cuisine, inspired by the Levant region in the Eastern Mediterranean, is prepared and plated elegantly, and served in an environment that invites you to stay for hours.

With food served throughout the day, things get off to a delicious start with brunch, which includes freshly baked pastries and cakes, and sweet and savoury yoghurts—the tomato and dill with spiced carrot and turmeric yoghurt served with toasted pumpernickel bread will likely be a first for most diners, but is a pleasant surprise.

Brunch continues with Lebanese-style poached eggs with toasted chickpeas and spelt, a dish of spicy shakshuka with baked eggs, and a plate of toasted rye bread with smoked mackerel and crème fraîche. The midday menu follows, featuring roasted beetroot salad, chicken gyros, and other plates priced between €7 and €10.

In the evening, the kitchen switches once again, this time to a short but sweet menu of meze: a selection of eight small sharing dishes. Accompanied by two friends, we ordered six plates—and a bottle of the splendid Mas Candí Brut Nature cava—and were sated and content without being overfull. Chef Nick Hosea’s food is light and delicate, with expert use of seasoning and spices that please the taste buds without leaning on added fat or meat, a common kitchen crutch. Of the eight evening meze plates, six are vegetarian.

The roasted sweet potatoes with charred Brussels sprouts, toasted thyme and candied ginger are superb. The Brussels sprouts, cooked beautifully and seasoned to their core, were seared on one side on a hot grill, laid atop equally charred wedges of tender sweet potato and dotted with jewel-like pomegranate seeds that played a lovely, sweet complement to the savoury vegetables.

MORE INFO

Placeta de Manuel Ribé 1 T. 93 858 2679 bistrotlevante.com Mon-Tues Closed Wed-Fri 9am-12am Sat-Sun 10.30am-12am

Another of my favourites, and perhaps the most simple dish of them all, was the hummus, creamy-smooth and topped with miniscule rounds of ripe kumquat, a citrus I just love. The hummus is also topped with sumac, as is the warm and puffy pitta bread, dressed lightly in olive oil and so good that I have returned to Levante many times already just to eat these little triangles of doughy goodness. Still new to the neighbourhood but already drawing crowds, dinner reservations—especially on the weekends—are highly recommended.

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food tales

Every great local food business has a story, that’s what makes them unique. Foodie tour guide Misty Barker explores some of Barcelona’s tastiest hidden gems.

CREPS AL BORN

T

here’s nothing like a weekend brunch to re-energise the soul, so I was delighted when I heard about the latest offering from my favourite cocktail bar on Passeig del Born: a ‘recovery’ brunch menu, which includes a breakfast crepe served with freshly made, healthy and organic juices—bright, colourful and tasty and, as always, served up with a smile.

Opened by a group of friends a number of years ago, this cocktail bar has become synonymous with good times. You’ll find their trademark pineapple in almost every corner, which symbolises hospitality, something this place exudes in abundance. Here, each cocktail is prepared with style, creativity and flair, and sometimes even involves the use of a blow torch. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, and the swinging lights, speakeasy style and impressive cocktail list combine to create a winning formula.

MORE INFO

Passeig del Born 12 crepsalbornbcn.com Mon-Fri 6pm-2.30am Sat–Sun 12pm-2.30am

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RECIPE

B’SARRA WITH PICADA

By Tara Stevens

T

here are so many versions of split pea soup around the world, but one thing it has in common, from Sweden to Morocco, is that it is one of the easiest soups on earth to make. I recommend big-batching it so you’ve got a supply in the freezer ready to go for lunch, dinner, or as they do in Morocco, a hearty warming breakfast on a cold day. Served with a variation of the Catalan picada, it becomes fancy enough to serve for dinner.

IN SEASON

JANUARY ESCAROLE, CALÇOTS, GARLIC, SWISS CHARD, ARTICHOKES

INGREDIENTS 400g split peas, rinsed 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 large onion, sliced 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp hot paprika (optional) 2 tsp sea salt Approx. 2 litres of water 2–3 tbsp Argan or olive oil

FOR THE PICADA 5 tbsp finely chopped parsley 5 tbsp toasted almonds or hazelnuts, roughly chopped Zest of 2 lemons

METHOD 1.

2.

3.

4.

Sauté the garlic and onion until translucent and aromatic, but not coloured.

Add the peas, spices and salt.

Cover in water to just over an inch above the peas.

Bring to the boil then simmer until the peas are tender (about 1 hour), adding more water if it begins to look dry.

5. At this stage all the ingredients should be disintegrating, to make a thick stew of porridge-like consistency. Add more water if needed and check seasoning.

6. Meanwhile, mix all the picada ingredients together until well combined.

7. Serve the soup in bowls and sprinkle with picada. Add a swirl of olive or Argan oil, wedges of fresh lemon, and plenty of hot, crusty bread.

Tara Stevens is a food writer and cook who splits her time between Barcelona and her cooking school, the Courtyard Kitchen, 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

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.

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

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

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

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

CAFÉ MENSSANA4CIUTAT VELLA At Menssana, a creative and healthy cuisine is combined with gracious and knowledgeable service. There is something for everyone, with vegan and vegetarian options, created using flavours from across the globe. They also offer a carefully selected range of local wines and beers, as well as smoothies and fresh juices. Their aim is to nourish your body and mind with delicious meals, served in a vibrant and friendly atmosphere.

Sardenya 48, 08005 Tel. 93 624 3505 Mon-Sat 9am-12am Sun 9am-6pm www.facebook.com/menssanabarcelona

FONDA ESPAÑA4 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.

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

Food & drink JAN18.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

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BAR DOS BILLARES4 RAVAL

MANNÀ GELATS4 BARRI GÒTIC

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

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

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GOVINDA (VEGETARIAN)4BARRI GÒTIC 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.

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

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YOI YOI GION 4EIXAMPLE Barcelona’s latest and greatest Japanese restaurant, YOI YOI GION, is a completely authentic udon restaurant from Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto. YOI YOI GION offers delicious handmade, organic noodles in a modern Japanese atmosphere. Dine at very reasonable prices and enjoy ingredients such as kelp, niboshi (small, dried sardines) and katsuobushi (dried, shaved bonito), which are combined for the stock of the noodles, with no chemical additives. ‘

Diagonal 383 | Metro Diagonal Tel. 93 124 8701 | www.facebook.com/yoiyoigionudon Tues-Sat 1.30pm-4pm, 8pm-11pm. Closed Sun & Mon

SÚPER COFFEE & FOOD STORE4POBLENOU LOIDI RESTAURANT4 EIXAMPLE 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.

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

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

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

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

12/19/17 4:35 PM

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 nº12 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.

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

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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

Dr. Alistair Gallagher -

Dra. Susana Campi -

DENTIST

DENTIST

The British Dental Clinic has a patient-friendly philosophy that combines aesthetics, youthful appearances, and a commitment to total oral health. Conveniently located in Barcelona, they offer orthodontics including Fast Braces and Inman Aligner, implants, cosmetic dentistry, whitening and general family dentistry.

Their talented, conscientious and friendly staff will help ensure that you comfortably receive the healthy and beautiful smile that you deserve.

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.

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

Diagonal 281 T. 93 265 8070 M. 607 332 335 info@thebritishdentalclinic.com www.thebritishdentalclinic.com

Goldie Uttamchandani LIFE, BUSINESS AND YOUTH COACH

FREE CONSULTATION

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.

READER OFFER

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

Emma Ruiz -

Eugenia Espinosa - ENGLISH

GESTALT THERAPIST

SPEAKING PSYCHOLOGIST

Would you like to identify those aspects of yourself or your life that no longer seem to be in tune? Emma Ruiz is a trained Gestalt Therapist, who will work with you to identify what may be holding you back and preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself. Emma ensures confidentiality to build a foundation of mutual trust and respect.

Metropolitan readers can enjoy a free 1to1 discovery session.

Còrsega 218 M. 659 126 877

FREE DISCOVERY SESSION

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emma@gestalttherapyinbarcelona.com www.gestalttherapyinbarcelona.com

Hestía - PSYCHOTHERAPY

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.

50% DISCOUNT ON FIRST VISIT

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

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Gina Fegali - THERAPIST

Barcelona Quiropractic - CHIROPRACTOR

Gina Fegali is an English-speaking Sound Therapist and Meditation Teacher. Her programme, Sound Meditation Moments, uses the harmonic vibration of different sounds to stimulate brainwaves, which allows her clients to enter states of deep consciousness that promote healing and wellbeing. Fegali also offers a range of spa treatments, which combine meditation, exotic oils and massage to create balance and wellness, alongside meditative training, workshops, retreats and more.

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.

M. 635 055 361 Sombrerers 27, Principal hello@ginafegali.com www.ginafegali.com

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

International Group of Depth Psychotherapists - THERAPISTS

A group of certified psychotherapists with extensive experience in the field of psychology and psychotherapy.

They focus on issues of change, conflict and relationship difficulties, helping their clients to develop their potential. They offer individual and couple psychotherapy with flexible hours and affordable fees that are adjusted to individual income. Visit their website for more information or to book a session.

READER OFFER

Craniosacral Institute - OSTEOPATHY 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/

mindandsoulbarcelona.com

Benedicte Taillard - HYPNOSIS, COACHING,

Konstantina Kara

REFLEXOLOGY, MASSAGE

- HOMEOPATHY, EAR ACUPUNCTURE

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.

Konstantina uses homeopathy to boost your immune system, allowing you to be a part of your own healing.

It is an effective, non-invasive, holistic system of healing, which can treat a number of physical problems and help overcome mental/emotional ailments, such as fears or anxiety. Konstantina also offers ear acupuncture; an effective treatment for reducing withdrawal symptoms of smoking cessation or substance abuse while detoxing the body.

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. 655 666 618 konstantina@nyhomeopath.com www.nyhomeopath.com

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

Yoga con Gracia - YOGA

Emma Axelsson - THERAPIST & COACH

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.

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

www.yogacongracia.com

READER OFFER

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

Bikram Yoga - HOT YOGA 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

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’.

15% DISCOUNT BEFORE DEC. 20TH

The Pink Peony BEAUTY SALON The PEONY de SY facial is a complex recovery treatment for mature skin that combines organic Dr. Hauschka products, non-abrasive ultrasonic exfoliation, detoxifying lymphatic stimulation and collagen-regenerating LED Light therapy. The result is a luminous, visibly repaired complexion and an ongoing stimulation of collagen production.

When making your facial reservation, quote ‘Metropolitan’ for a free eyebrow and upper lip threading worth €35.

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

Passeig de Gracia 100, Pral. 2ª Mandri 62 T. 93 487 8464 Whatsapp: 648 248 744 www.thepinkpeony.com

The Vital Touch - MASSAGE

Tàctum - HAIR SALON

The Vital Touch help people to focus better and feel re-energised.

They come to you and set up their ergonomic chairs, which you can relax into comfortably and fully-clothed for an effective energising massage.

You emerge 20 minutes later with increased vitality and all tensions released.

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.

Benefits of the massage include: de-stressing, relaxation, revitalisation, tension release, detoxification, immunity boost and improvement in posture. Contact Nunu by phone or email for more information.

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

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

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.

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

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

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12/20/17 1:49 PM

BUSINESS SERVICES

Barcelona Accounting BuSINeSS SeRvICe Need help with your small business finances? Barcelona Accounting can create an efficient financial system for a start-up or existing business, convert you to a modern cloud accounting solution, organise and/or update your bookkeeping, manage your compliance and run financial analysis to help grow your business.

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

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

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

AFT IURE LEGA L ABOGADOS LAWYERS RECHTSANWÄLTE

READER OFFER

M. 670 405 727 info@bcnaccounting.com www.bcnaccounting.com

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 civil, criminal and tax law, but extends his practice to other areas, such as family, administrative, employment, and real estate.

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 in-house 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

M. 616 614 764 T. 93 321 11 55 btforment@gmail.com www.aftiure.com/

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

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

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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 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

Yan Pekar - PHOTOGRAPHeR

Barcelona Women’s Network - NONPROfIT

Photography for corporate events and portraits. Yan creates meaningful photography based on his ability to see beyond the obvious. His engaging photos capture key moments in a discrete way. Based in Barcelona.

Working worldwide.

• Back-up kit.

• Next day delivery.

• Guaranteed results under low lighting.

• Reliable. Responsible. On time.

Supported charities 2016 - 2018

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-

LOCKSMITH

BWN offers support, friendship and networking opportunities to internationally minded women residing in, or just arriving in Barcelona. They are unique in that they are a social group with a social purpose - raising funds for community organisations through various activities and events, with the help of their community sponsors. Connect with like-minded women while giving back to the community. find out more about membership via their website

M. 635 296 600 contact@yanpekar.photography www.yanpekar.photography

membership@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

president@bcnwomensnetwork.com www.bcnwomensnetwork.com

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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.

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

Coccinelle - PRIvATe STAff

Yacht Point Barcelona - SAILING SCHOOL

ReCRuITmeNT Coccinelle specialises in providing highly-skilled, experienced domestic staff in Barcelona and surrounding areas. Their expertise and rigorous selection method ensures they are able to provide seasoned professionals for both permanent and temporary positions, where over 700 families have trusted in their services. Call them today and quote ‘metropolitan’ for a free consultation.

Pau Claris 151 T. 93 010 9758 info@coccinelle-agency.com www.coccinelle-agency.com

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!’

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

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

#mrsqdesignstudio Patricia Ayodeji - LAWYeR

Mrs.Q Design Studio - GRAPHIC DeSIGN

A native english-speaking lawyer, Patricia also offers her services in english, Spanish and Catalan. She is dual-qualified in Civil Law and Common Law, and is registered with many different embassies and governmental departments, as well as being a member of the Law Society of england & Wales and the Barcelona Bar Association. Her 16 years’ experience have allowed Patricia to work in many different areas of law. These include international services, company law, internet law, data protection,privacy, e-commerce, new technology, intellectual property, trademarks, litigation, and acquisition and disposal of residential property.

Contact Patricia by email to make an appointment.

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.

Central Barcelona info@e-pdp.eu www.e-pdp.eu

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

12/19/17 11:04 AM

Language Surfing - LANGuAGe

Barcelona is your classroom and its streets are your books.

FIRST CLASS FOR FREE

Language Surfing is a revolutionary learning approach where students practice in real life situations and accelerate their learning by having lessons in real bars, parks & museums.

Our teachers are native and professional, who love to explore the city with you, so you can take in the culture and practice in a fun and exciting environment. It’s the end of boring lessons!

Entença 34 enslo 1, 08015 Metro Rocafort M. 663 563 720 www.language-surfing.com

Fun Talk - LANGuAGe The Spanish courses at funTalk offer an innovative and interactive approach to learning, emphasising communication and speaking. They believe in a student-centred classroom and are committed to making the learning experience motivating, memorable and, above all, fun. With the option of using the FunTalk Kitchen, students can integrate cooking activities, or even have conversation classes with a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Live it. Learn it. Love it.

6 EUROS PER HOUR

Aragó 119 T. 93 782 3821 hello@funtalk.es www.funtalk.es

BCN L.I.P. - LANGuAGe SCHOOL 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.

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

Oak House - 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’.

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

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Sant Pere Claver 12-18, 08017 T. 93 252 4020 www.oakhouseschool.com

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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...

IT’S OKAY NOT TO HAVE IT ALL FIGURED OUT Dear Sam, I’m at a crossroads in my relationship and in life. I’ve recently embarked on a new career, something that I’ve wanted to do since I was young. It has been an incredible shift.

It’s stimulating, rewarding and fulfilling. It’s more than a career, it’s a passion. The problem is that it requires a lot of travel and time away from my girlfriend, and the distance is starting to weigh on our relationship. We’ve been together for almost a decade and have never spent this much time apart. It has essentially become long distance and she doesn’t want to be in that type of relationship. I’m torn between two loves: my career, something that brings me joy, and the person I want to spend my life with. How do I reconcile the two?

Thanks for your help on this seemingly insurmountable issue, Torn

Hi Torn, I’ve got to hand it to you for kicking off the new year with one of the hardest questions this column has ever seen. But I applaud you for bringing it to the forefront, as I think it’s something many people struggle with.

You’re in a tough position and there’s no right answer. There’s only what’s right for you, your girlfriend, your lives and your relationship, and the conclusion you come to may not fully satisfy all aspects of the situation. As well as offering my thoughts, I’ve curated advice from people I respect, as well as some in similar situations, to help guide you.

There are several ways this could go. You could continue with your career and lose your partner in the process. You could continue with your partner and switch to a less fulfilling job. Or you could work out a compromise that you’re both willing to accept. The key to the latter is that both of you are willing and open to compromise.

A few points to consider: • Which of your partner’s needs are not currently being met?

• What, if anything, could change in order to better meet those needs?

• What are you willing and not willing to do in terms of making changes?

• What is most important to you at this point in your life?

I’m a strong believer in being true to yourself. When we do things that fulfill us, it allows us to lead passionate lives where we ultimately become the best version of ourselves. It sounds like this new career is more than a job for you, it’s the fulfillment of a calling. It also seems like the current set-up has been a shock to the system within your relationship.

Transitioning to a long distance relationship after almost a decade together will take some adjustment, and you may need to redefine your relationship for the foreseeable future. The challenge will be trying to approach this as something that can enhance your development and help you grow together, rather than seeing these changes as a setback.

Advice from a few wise souls: • Take it day by day. Don’t jump to any conclusions. Time gives you space to find solutions. As frustrating as the situation may be, or as heated as arguments might get, try to take it step-by-step as you uncover possible ways to work things out.

• Acknowledge where you’re at. Sometimes it’s okay to be in a place of confusion. We always want to have things figured out, but often we’re in a state of flux and that’s okay.

The sooner we can accept where we’re at, the easier it will be to deal with the situation.

• Be true to you. You want to live without regret, but you never know how the decisions you make today will affect you in the future. Be as true to yourself as possible. Define your values—as previously discussed in this column—and see if your actions align with them.

• Connect. Big decisions like this are hard to make if the foundation of your relationship is rocky. Before focusing on the big issues and making decisions, take time to reconnect with your partner, rebuild anything that might have been lost or frayed, and solidify a foundation upon which you’ll be able to make sound decisions about your future together.

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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OUT AND ABOUT INTERVIEW

GUIRI BUSINESS / ASB HAPPY HOUR QUINTO QUINTA. DECEMBER 13TH

PABLO RUIZ AMO, ANDREI QUEIROZ TORIBIO DANTAS, LEO ALMEIDA, VICTOR HORCASITAS RAINDANCE MIXER LA BODEGA DEL NOTORIAT. DECEMBER 13TH

ALBERT FORMENT TORRENT, PEDRO LUIS ALVES DE SOUZA FAIRMONT REY JUAN CARLOS I. DECEMBER 15TH

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE METROPOLITAN TEAM!

VANESSA PÉREZ DE SOMACARRERA, LUCI LENOX, HELENA BARÓ, MARTA LACIMA, IRIS JACOBS, LAURA YVARS, LUISA GERLACH, CARLES TORRENS

By Ben Rowdon

SCOOP

CARLOTA LLOBERA, LAURA H. EURRIAGA

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