Barcelona Metropolitan Issue 256

MAY 2018 Nยบ 256

SOUNDS OF

SUMMER GET IN THE GAME VIDEO GAME DESIGN IN BARCELONA

SOMETHING OLD BEST VINTAGE SHOPPING

FOOD FOR THE FUTURE HIGH-TECH AND SUSTAINABLE

PLUS! ART 01 cover.indd 1

MUSIC

INTERVIEW

NEW IN TOWN

STREETLIFE

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 256 · MAY 2018

18 REPORT: GAMING POWERHOUSE

Barcelona is home to a dynamic video game ecosystem

23 LA CREMADA DEL DIMONI

IN THE CITY

Watch the devil burn in Badalona

06 09 10 12 14 17 40

24 LIFE AND DEATH Enter architect Enric Miralles’ world at the Igualada Cemetery

38 NEXTFOOD An interview with Rasmus Bjerngaard

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

WHAT’S ON 28 31 32 34 36

Music Art review Art Calendar Misc

WORKING LIFE 43 Startup of the month 44 A day in the life

TRAVEL 46 Monte Perdido 50 Montserrat

FOOD & DRINK 52 Restaurant review 55 Quick bites 56 Recipe 2CELLOS P.28

METROPOLITAN CONTRIBUTORS Publisher The Noise Lab S.L. Founder Esther Jones Senior Editor Carol Moran Contributing Editor Rachel Huffman Art Director Aisling Quigley Marketing Director Jalil Alui Account Executives Richard Cardwell, David Martínez Mestres Sales Assistant Charlotte Meesters Business Manager Marina Piegari Editorial Assistants Isabel Cocker, Gemma Macmillan-Fox, Marie Martin, Poppy McAlister Design Assistant Anna Baxter Contributors Paul Cannon, J.S. von Dacre, Natalie Donback, Catherine Howley, Christopher Klettermayer, Sam Mednick, Will Shank, Tara Stevens, Sam Zucker Illustrator Ben Rowdon Photographer Isabel Cocker Cover Björk, Primavera Sound 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

CATHERINE HOWLEY Native of Galway, Catherine studied history of art and architecture, and Hispanic studies at Trinity College Dublin. She came to Spain in 2007 and spent more than a year in Granada, studying Spanish history, literature and Islamic art and architecture.

In 2011 she moved to Barcelona, where she completed a post-grad in museum studies. She has a deep interest in the social history of Spain and now works as a guide, specialising in the Spanish Civil War and pre-Civil War.

ISABEL COCKER A student of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Cambridge, Isabel is spending the end of her year abroad in Barcelona after having worked for The Santiago Times in Chile. A keen photographer, she enjoys wandering around the city, camera in hand, taking on photo assignments for her colleagues, which she then uses to jazz up Metropolitan’s Instagram page. She is an adrenaline junkie and recently completed the Barcelona Marathon as part of a challenge to run a race wherever she lives.

J.S. VON DACRE Originally from the UK, J.S. is an agency-represented writer/journalist. Currently a staff writer at Lifehack and a contributing writer for Metropolitan, when she’s not at her computer, she works as a youth mentor for the United Nations, and has also volunteered at various charities. Consumed by wanderlust, she has a tendency to spontaneously disappear in search of adventures. For more about her life and work, visit her website: jsvondacre.com

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IN THE CITY

new in town

A DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH Yakumanka. ValènCia 207.  YAKUMANKA.COM Putting the ‘ooh’ in ‘Peruvian’, Yakumanka infuses Peruvian recipes with local mariscos.

“Our food uses the highest quality ingredients,” explained owner Alonso Ferraro. “For example, we fly our spices in from Peru, meaning our prices are steeper, but you can taste the difference.” Every item on the menu is either a Peruvian speciality or an international dish made with a clever Andean twist, such as its Moscow Mule, which substitutes vodka with pisco, a brandy produced in the winemaking regions of Peru and Chile. Made exactly as it would be in a cevichería in Lima, Yakumanka’s ceviche also changes daily depending on which fish is freshest.

HEDGES WORK HARD, PLAY HARD Hedges Club. balmes 220.  HEDGESCLUB.COM Situated amongst the high-end businesses of Carrer de Balmes, newly opened Hedges Club is a testament to modern luxury. The first overseas branch of the London-based private members club Hedges & Butler, owner Yousef Aden aimed to create a space that would redefine co-working in the city while upholding the traditions of the exclusive brand, which dates back to 1667. The club has four different spaces that simultaneously promote business success and provide the ultimate comfort for leisure activities. At the heart of the club is a bar, which features a fusion of famous art and contemporary pop culture designed

by Mexican artist Ricardo Guillén. ‘Influential members of society’ can apply online; once accepted, membership fees are €75 a month. Adjoining the private members rooms, with a more casual vibe, is the Hedges Tea Club, of which you automatically become a member following any purchase of more than €10. The delicate pink decor intends to inspire up-and-coming talent; members can bounce ideas off of each other and work to grow their business in a chic environment, fueled by Hedges’ in-house cuisine. With a rapidly growing membership, both clubs are, according to Aden, building an inspiring new ‘village’ of business-minded locals and expats.

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AGAINST THE GRAIN THe paella Club. dr. dou 5.  THEPAELLACLUB.COM When asked to name one Spanish dish, nine out of 10 times people from around the world will answer ‘paella’.

The Paella Club offers a three-hour intensive workshop that teaches the ins and outs of making an authentic paella.

Accommodating a range of diets and tastes, participants follow the instructions of head chef Alex Villar to concoct one of several variations of the Valencian dish before sampling their efforts around a large communal table. Located in the Raval, the space is open and eclectic, reflecting the unique nature of the business, which is neither a restaurant nor a cooking school, but an experience. The brainchild of coowners Alex Betolaza, a Basque foodie living in Barcelona, and Vincent Werner, a hands-on strategy consultant with a good appetite for quality food, The Paella Club is open for parties or individual bookings.

THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK llop. Carme 42.  ENCOMPANIADELOBOS.COM/LLOP Bright and modern, this cafe-restaurant in the Raval is the most recent venture of En Compañia de Lobos. With nine unique locations in Barcelona and Madrid, the group was founded by renowned restaurateur Tomás Tarruella, who also co-founded Grupo Tragaluz. At Llop, patrons can sit at large wooden tables or on comfy sofas and savour a range of dishes, from grilled corn on the cob with chilli, cheese and lime mayonnaise, and burrata with arugula and green asparagus to Mexican-style fish tacos and pappardelle with braised oxtail. Inspired by its namesake—‘llop’ means ‘wolf’ in Catalan—Tarruella designed the space to reflect the animal’s wild yet collaborative spirit. Adjacent to the restaurant is FIUHOUSE, the co-creation space of local platform FIUBCN, set up to nurture the city’s emerging creative talent. Members are welcome to share ideas and collaborate on their latest projects, while enjoying a discount at the neighbouring kitchen.

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4 Masters of Science MSc in Management MSc in Finance and Banking MSc in International Business MSc in Marketing

Master of Arts in Communication Management Corporate communication, place branding, transmedia strategies, and digital communication.

Summer School Summer program in management, focused on sports management marketing or finance.

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FIVE THINGS

SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVALS The sounds of the season

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PRIMAVERA SOUND

Parc del Fòrum. May 30th-June 3rd.

Seventeen years on from its first edition, Primavera Sound has gained recognition as one of the most important music festivals in Europe, attracting more than 200,000 pop, rock and dance music lovers every year. This year’s edition will see more than 200 international artists perform, including Lorde, HAIM, Warpaint, A$AP Rocky and Björk. The icing on the cake will be the much-anticipated performance from Arctic Monkeys, who return to the stage after a four-year hiatus from live performances. A full festival ticket is €215 or €85 for a day pass, although Barcelona residents can enjoy discounted prices of €180 and €80 respectively. primaverasound.es

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FESTIVAL JARDINS DE PEDRALBES

Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes. June 6th-July 13th.

Set in the beautiful gardens of a former royal residence, Festival Jardins de Pedralbes brings together international artists from a wide range of genres for a relaxed, family-friendly month of concerts. The event began six years ago to celebrate the history and beauty of the gardens and to offer an escape from city life—even if just for an evening.

There are more than 25 live shows throughout the month, with highlights including returning performers Tom Jones and Jessie J, and festival newcomers Emeli Sandé, Jeff Beck and Fleet Foxes. Tickets start from €18. festivalpedralbes.com

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CRUÏLLA

Parc del Fòrum. July 12th-14th.

Three days, five stages and more than 40 live shows make up the ninth edition of Cruïlla. Alongside headline performances from Jack White, N.E.R.D, Kygo and Justice, the festival boasts food trucks, chill-out zones and artisan craft stalls, which add to the experience. Its family-friendly ethos ensures that attendees of all ages can enjoy the music but avoid the mosh pits and boisterous crowds. Tickets are €135 for three days, €115 for two days, €55 for Thursday only and €65 for Friday or Saturday. cruillabarcelona.com

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BARCELONA BEACH FESTIVAL

Platja del Fòrum. July 14th.

The clue is in the name. Surrounded by sand, sea and sun, Barcelona Beach Festival celebrates summer the right way. Set on the Fòrum beach in Sant Adrià de Besòs, the one-day EDM festival returns to Barcelona for the fifth time, with some of the world’s favourite DJs taking to the decks. For €65, you can dance the day away to the sounds of The Chainsmokers, David Guetta, Oliver Heldens and Robin Schulz, among others. bcnbeachfestival.com

SÓNAR

Fira Barcelona - Montjuïc & Gran Via. June 14th-16th.

Like an electric charge coursing through the city, Sónar descends on Barcelona every June. This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary and celebrations include a mindblowing line-up, headlined by Diplo, Gorillaz and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. Electronic music fans can purchase individual tickets to Sónar by Day for €58 and Sónar by Night for €79, while the full weekend pass costs €180 and includes unlimited access to Sonar +D, the four-day international creative congress that runs alongside the main affair. sonar.es

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Lose yourself in bountiful crafting supplies at Scraphouse Sarrià. A franchise of the Scraphouse chain, which started in Barcelona in 2007, the open-plan room is lined with tiled walls that hark back to the space’s former use as a bakery. The back of the store is dominated by a large work table where owner Julia Rodriguez holds workshops, crafting afternoons and parties. In June 2018, Rodriguez will move her huge collection of buttons, ribbons, paper and cards to a new space 50 metres away, just off Carrer de Cornet i Mas. scraphouse.es

No 32

CAn PAU

Having stood in the same spot for more than 50 years, Can Pau is the pride and joy of owner Javier Soler Bono, who inherited it from his father, Pau Soler Vendrell, in 2010. The bar is run by a team of four, including Javier’s son, and decorated with family photos, gifts from customers and sketches done

by Javier himself. “Everything has stayed very similar to how it was when it was opened,” he said, “but the area has changed a lot—our building was even knocked down and rebuilt in 1992.” Sticking to tradition, Can Pau serves typical Catalan bar snacks and a basic menú del día, alongside vermouth, beer and wine from the region.

La Carbonera

An artist’s studio and exhibition space in one, La Carbonera is located in a former charcoal kiln. The converted space is brightly lit, spacious and decorated with art from the current residents: a sculptor, a painter and a graphic designer. The next exhibition, from May 11th to 13th, will pay homage to artist Manuel Almendrós Sánchez.

Carrer Mañé i Flaquer

Gouthier

Plaça de Sant Vicenç

No 8

The demand for seafood in Sarrià is high, and this stylish restaurant provides some of the best fresh oysters in the area. Owners Silvia Perpiñá and Ricardo Alabart established the oyster bar in 2004— the first of its kind in the city. The 13 different varieties of briny bivalve are sourced from France, Ireland and Spain, depending on the season, and come simply with lemon or marinated in flavoured oil, such as mojito and gin and tonic. gouthier.es

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Le CIEL DE SARRIà

A small corner bistro, Le Ciel de Sarrià is known for its dedication to the freshest seafood. It offers tapas, main dishes and tasting menus made, as owner Carlos Claverie puts it, “with a bit of originality”. House specialities include exquisite fish and meat tartares, simply prepared seafood and Catalan judías with mixed shellfish. Le Ciel de Sarrià was the ex-hotelier’s first restaurant, but he has since opened a new branch in Sant Cugat del Vallès to take the citychic vibe outside the neighbourhood. leciel.es

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XARCUTERIES MARGARIT

Established in 1945, the same family, now in its third generation of owners, still runs this chain of delis. Describing itself as ‘100 percent Sarrià’, it has six branches around the neighbourhood, including one in Mercat de Sarrià. The packed shop on Carrer de Cornet i Mas is filled with sleek, white counters boasting homemade salamis, hamburgers and sausages, made using modern technology to perfect recipes passed down through the decades. It also offers a range of speciality cheeses and gourmet ingredients sourced from across the country. xarcuteriesmargarit.com

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IN THE CITY

A PLACE OF MY OWN A HISTORIC PIED-À-TERRE IN THE ANCIENT HEART OF THE CITY

W

hen property developer Lane Auten invested in a six-storey building in the Ciutat Vella, he didn’t originally envisage keeping one of the newly renovated apartments for himself.

Nevertheless, converting the ground floor space for him and his wife, Nieves Prieto, has proved a wise decision, giving the couple a central base where they can relax and host friends and family.

Upon entering the white, marble-lined lobby of the apartment block, the contrast with the shadowed streets of El Call, the old Jewish Quarter, is stark. “We wanted it to be noticeable, but welcoming,” said Nieves. Off the lobby, the door to their apartment opens directly into a grand, multi-use space, which takes up the entire left side of the building. With ceilings five metres high, the room is split into a lounge area, dining area and kitchen and is ideal for entertaining.

Next to the state-of-the-art kitchen, clad in green marble and brass, a corridor leads to the right-hand wing, forming a U-shape around the central courtyard and lobby. The corridor is lined with sliding doors that open into a succession of bedrooms and bathrooms, tucked into minimalist pod-like structures.

Much like the entry room, the right-hand wing is a long space stretching the length of the building. While it may eventually become an office, it currently doesn’t have a set function. Often used as a gathering space for events, it is decorated with waist-high wine barrels from Lane’s Priorat wine cellar, Perinet, along with a drum kit, a vintage film spotlight and a large metal Cinzano sign. Modern glass stairs disappear into the floor, gradually transitioning into

terracotta-tiled steps. These lead down into the stone cellar, where Lane plans to create a wine-tasting room for the vineyard.

Sitting within the Roman city walls, preserving the history of the 14th-century building was a priority. It is located next door to the city’s ancient synagogue, which dates back to the third century, and was once the rabbi’s house—former openings to passageways between the two buildings can still be spotted in the thick cellar walls. To accentuate this heritage, the couple stripped back the walls to reveal a jumble of stone, brick and concrete, which visibly changes composition as newer walls have been added.

The biggest challenge was balancing the building’s heritage with a need for modernity. “Whenever you carry out building works within the Roman city walls, you have to hire the city’s own archeologists— just in case you’re about to build on something extremely significant,” Lane said. This was a worry for the developers but, although some Roman constructions were unearthed, the project was given the go-ahead. Currently the ruins remain buried under the temporary protection of sand and tiles but, ultimately, Lane and Nieves hope to display them under a glass floor.

The couple have modernised the historic apartment with a range of eclectic items. “It’s medieval craziness—think David Lynch meets Frankenstein,” laughed Lane. In the main living area, suspended candles and a chandelier hang over a Roche Bobois dining table, with a gilt-framed mirror and ornate oil paintings on the walls.

These ornate accents contrast with a sleek James Bond-esque coffee table with a hidden, pop-up bar and a huge wall hanging depicting a skull. The height and length of the room means that each piece can

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

be admired individually and the space doesn’t feel overly crowded.

The diverse mix of design styles is thanks to Nieves, a Barcelona native who studied fine arts and now works in film. “There isn’t really a theme. I just look around and when I see something I like, I buy it and make it fit,” she said. Her favourite part of the apartment is the lounge area, which is designed as a mini home cinema. Behind a rising projection screen, plush red velvet curtains create a classic Twenties vibe, complemented by lights hidden under bowler hats, an accent inspired by Nieves’ love for old musicals.

The spacious right-hand wing is also dominated by unique pieces sourced from auctions and vintage shops. An oversized antique weighing scale sits on the floor, which Nieves wants to customise

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with books, “to show the weight of knowledge”. On the opposite wall, a poster from the 1976 cult film Bluff: Storia di truffe e di imbroglioni is another quirky reference to her love of cinematography.

Lane and Nieves don’t live here, but they pop into the apartment at least twice a week when they’re in the city centre. They both love to cook and host dinner parties for friends, and events for the wine business or for Lane’s charity, Mar de Somnis, which aims to improve the lives of children with epilepsy. The apartment also comes in handy whenever family and friends come to visit.

Despite it not being their full-time residence, the couple have left their stamp on the space and love to use it whenever possible. “Here, we have a lot of fun,” Nieves said, smiling at her husband.

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IN THE CITY

best of

VINTAGE SHOPS EVERY PRE-LOVED ITEM HAS A STORY BEHIND IT L'ARCA

Banys nous 20 larca.es While everyone is familiar with the time-honoured tradition 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’, not many brides-to-be consider having their dress be their something old. Tucked down a shadowy alley behind the cathedral, L’Arca specialises in vintage bridalwear for just that purpose. The long, narrow shop sells revamped dresses, the oldest dating back to the Twenties, as well as complementary accessories. The boutique also offers its own bridal collection inspired by fashions of bygone eras, an in-house tailoring service, vintage party dresses, an impressive kimono rack and a cabinet full of traditional fans.

LA CLINIQUE

Mirallers 7 lacliniquefinestore.coM An essential summer accessory, sunglasses add a touch of chic to any look. La Clinique is dedicated to sourcing pairs of unused, vintage designer eyewear to complete the season’s best outfits. Currently stocking Dior and Givenchy, alongside lesser-known brands, the shop also has a large range of vintage perfumes and vinyl records. The original boutique is a stylish space in the Born, and the company has recently opened a second, roomier store in Gràcia.

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LOVE VINTAGE Bertrellans 7 es.loVeVintage.es

Small doesn’t have to mean limited, as this tiny boutique in the Gothic Quarter demonstrates.

Just off Portal de l’Àngel, LOVE Vintage has well-stocked racks of affordable vintage clothes, which are replenished every Monday by specialist suppliers. The wide selection mostly dates from the Seventies to the Nineties, with plenty of vintage Levi jeans and denim jackets and a collection of unisex band T-shirts for the most ardent music geeks. It can feel like a treasure hunt here, but the reasonable prices encourage customers to take a chance on more niche items if they don’t want to settle for firm favourites such as leather jackets and floral tea dresses.

Holala! Plaza Valldonzella 2. holala-iBiza.coM

Established more than 25 years ago, Holala! Plaza has a well-earned reputation for being one of the best affordable vintage shops in the city. With celebrity fans such as Kate Moss, Elton John and Madonna, the vast store offers clothes, accessories, homeware and everything in between.

Buyers for the company, which also owns other stores in Barcelona and Ibiza, travel the world scouring markets for unique and trendy finds and ensure that every piece is of the highest quality. Its flagship store also hosts regular concerts and art exhibitions.

FUSTA'M

Joaquín costa 62 fustaM.cat If vintage is your preferred style, why stop at the clothes you wear?

Fusta’m, in the Raval, can help you add a bit of mid-century glam to your home. Sourcing designs from across Europe, it stocks everything from crockery and table decorations to lights, carpets and furniture.

Before hitting the shelves, every piece passes through the store’s workshop, where it is cleaned and restored to pristine condition.

Customers can also have pieces customised or can take a look at the Remake collection for vintage-inspired, but recently made, designs.

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HISTORY

SIN CITY

GAUDÍ’S PROPOSED REDEMPTION FOR THE ‘CITY OF BOMBS’

By Catherine Howley

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n the Rosary portal of the Sagrada Família, which leads from the Nativity facade into the cloister, a sculpture entitled the ‘Temptation of Man’ can be found. It depicts a worker dressed in overalls turning away from a demonic figure, which proffers an Orsini bomb. This particular type of bomb—an improvised explosive device—was used by anarchists throughout Europe in the latter half of the 19th century as a hand grenade. It is Barcelona’s connection to the Orsini bomb that undoubtedly inspired Gaudí’s interpretation of the ‘Temptation of Man’.

By the mid-19th century, rapid industrialisation had resulted in deep divisions across society. Class conflict had become frequent and furious in Barcelona, where anarchism was the political persuasion of the city’s workers. Almost four decades of sporadic, brutal attacks followed. The Orsini bomb became the weapon of choice for local anarchists, and the resulting violence soon earned Barcelona a reputation as the ‘City of Bombs’.

One of the most horrific attacks took place at the Liceu in November 1893. The opera house had become a showcase of Barcelona’s bourgeoisie, an institution that exemplified the unbalanced distribution of wealth in society and, therefore, a focus of class hatred. On November 7th, during the opening night of Rossini’s

Guillaume Tell, tragedy shook the Liceu to its core.

As the second act of the opera commenced, a 32-year-old anarchist named Santiago Salvador threw two Orsini bombs from the highest stalls of the theatre into the audience below. An estimated 20 leading members of Barcelona’s elite were killed and 35 more were injured in the explosion. Although the second bomb never detonated, the attack provoked widespread panic amongst the bourgeoisie and was responded to with militarised repression of the city’s working class until Salvador was captured and executed.

The idea for the Sagrada Família was conceived by a wealthy Catalan bookseller and philanthropist named Josep María Bocabella i Verdaguer.

Bocabella was eager to challenge the revolutionary climate of 19th-century Barcelona and construct a temple to expiate the sins of radical politics.

Gaudí, who became the church’s principal architect in 1883, had lived and worked during this tumultuous period of class conflict in Barcelona. The inclusion of a worker being tempted by an Orsini bomb is perhaps the architect’s parallel between the violent acts of the anarchists and evil. As a devout Catholic, it may be that Gaudí, like Bocabella, believed that the Sagrada Família could save the city from itself by religious redemption.

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REPORT

GAME ON BARCELONA'S VIDEO GAME INDUSTRY IS THRIVING, AND THE CITY HAS DEVELOPED A POWERFUL ECOSYSTEM TO BACK IT UP

By Esther Jones

V

ideo games are now Spain’s favourite pastime. With an annual turnover of more than €1.1 billion, the gaming industry has outstripped both music and cinema in terms of national consumer spending and it shows no sign of slowing down. Worldwide, an estimated 2.2 billion people play games on a PC or console and, within a week of buying a new smartphone, 62 percent of us will have installed a game app on it. Candy Crush, Assassin’s Creed, Dragon City, World of Warcraft—even if you’re not an avid gamer, the names are probably familiar. But what you may not realise is that many of these games are being developed in Barcelona, and that the city is making its name in the thriving world of game design.

Spain’s video game industry has seen rapid growth in the last 10 years and, with approximately 120 game design studios employing more than 1,600 people, Catalunya is leading the way.

In 2017, the region was responsible for 47 percent of the industry’s national annual turnover. At the heart of this booming industry is Barcelona, home to a rich gaming ecosystem that embraces devoted gamers, independent studios, world-class conferences, master’s programmes and a number of industry veterans who have settled in the city. Alongside these titans of the gaming world, which include Ubisoft, Gameloft, King and Digital Legends, several homegrown studios have hit the big time too. Social Point was

founded in Barcelona in 2008 by Andrés Bou and Horacio Martos, and creates free games and applications for mobile and Facebook.

Best known for Dragon City, Social Point is a huge local success story and was acquired by the US gaming giant Take Two in 2017 for €250 million.

Javier Capei, studio manager at Ubisoft in Sant Cugat describes the coming together of all these elements in Barcelona as “the perfect storm”. This French company has had a presence in Barcelona since 1998 and was one of the first gaming companies to set up shop in the city. Ubisoft has two studios here, which together employ more than 200 people. The Sant Cugat studio works with Ubisoft studios around the world to develop massively popular console games, such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six, and the central Barcelona studio develops mobile games. “The ecosystem creates a really positive context for us,” said Capei, explaining how it helps attract international talent to the city. Currently, around 20 percent of Ubisoft’s employees are from abroad, and Capei has no doubt that the Barcelona brand is a big draw when it comes to hiring new people. And, while many companies in Spain still follow fairly traditional work practices, in the young, international world of game design, these studios are following an entirely different model. A studio’s most important assets are the technical and creative abilities of its employees and these companies do all they can to protect those assets. “We don’t

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Photo courtesy of GameBCN

want our employees to worry about anything,” said Capei. “We pay them well, give them flexibility and look after them, so they can focus and be creative.”

Most of Ubisoft’s local employees have trained up on one of the many courses available in the city. These courses feed the ecosystem with training in all aspects of video game development, from 3D design to animation and multimedia engineering. The Universitat de Barcelona now has a specialist school, the ENTI, that is dedicated to game technology and is one of seven centres that offer master’s courses. Jordi Martin, studio manager of the Ubisoft mobile studio, points out that despite this rich training ground, when it comes to more specialist talent, it’s still necessary to look abroad. “It’s easy to find young, talented, dedicated people in Barcelona, but harder to find profiles with more in-company experience,” he explained.

Key to the health of the city’s gaming ecosystem is the annual Gamelab congress, which is held every June and pulls in top industry speakers for four days of conferences and networking.

Attended by more than 1,000 professionals from around the globe, it is one of the most significant events of its kind in Europe and gives the city’s gaming community huge exposure. Another important event is Barcelona Games World, which is held in November and organised by AEV (the Spanish Association of Video Games). This influential conference is a cornerstone in the annual gaming calendar. It pulls in more than 135,000 attendees and has everything a seasoned gamer could wish for, from retro games to e-sports, new releases and game jams (where small teams of developers have to create a game in less than 30 hours). It provides an opportunity for everyone in the local community to contribute and is a great platform for big names, local universities and indie developers alike.

Although the big studios are responsible for 90 percent of the market’s annual turnover, 87 percent of studios are small and independent, often made up of just a handful of developers, and usually pushing through with very little funding. Working to help these indie developers is GameBCN in the Parc de Recerca Creativa in Sant Andreu. This accelerator for indie game studios was set

87 percent of studios are small and independent, often made up of just a handful of developers, and usually pushing through with very little funding The former Canòdrom in Sant Andreu where GameBCN is located

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up in 2016 and is funded by the Generalitat and the Ajuntament.

It is located in the former Canòdrom (dog racing track), an emblematic curved building that was built in 1962 by local architects Antoni Bonet i Castellana and Josep Puig. The building is protected for its cultural and architectural importance, and its transformation into a hub of digital creativity artfully retains some of its original character—the steps on which the public sat to watch the races now make for an inviting place for a coffee break in the sun. With meeting rooms, co-working spaces, a cafeteria and conference room, GameBCN provides a temporary home to six indie studios at a time. For a period of six months these small groups of developers are given space in which to work and are nurtured in the many skills they need in order to develop and market their project.

Oscar Sahun, director of GameBCN, pointed out that although their technical skills are high, few have the marketing knowledge that is essential in such a competitive industry. “Visibility is the biggest problem,” said Sahun. “More than 400 new mobile games come out every day, so it is important to build a community through A/B testing and social media, for example.” GameBCN also helps them to work more effectively: “We teach them how to organise their project, apply deadlines and meet objectives. We don’t tell them what to do and there are no restrictions regarding their game or the platform they choose. We’re here to advise and support them.”

One of the developers currently working at GameBCN is Albert Espinosa. His studio, Impressive Entertainment, is working on a game called Dungeons & Dancers, a rhythm-based puzzle game for PC and consoles. Espinosa and his colleague were already familiar with GameBCN from attending its monthly talks and networking evenings, and they have found the experience of working in the incubator gratifying. One of the biggest gains for Espinosa has been working alongside other small studios. “Before, we had our own space to work in, but here there are other people working on similar projects and there’s a lot of synergy to be had,” he said.

Being part of the programme also provided incentive for other people to join them and the team has grown from two to seven people. “That’s allowed us each to specialise more,” explained Espinosa. The helping hand provided by GameBCN is essential to these young developers when public and private funding in Spain is so thin on the ground. “It’s particularly hard for studios that haven’t yet formed a company, as they aren’t eligible for most grants,” he continued. He added that although Spain is a massive consumer of video games—it’s the fourth largest market in Europe— the game development industry is still young and has a way to go to catch up in terms of support and infrastructure.

Sahun agrees that there is a severe lack of governmental support for the industry. “There’s support from the Catalan government, but not at a national level. And what support there is tends to be directed to the large studios.” He sees it as part of a wider issue that comes from an institutional failure to grasp how the video game market works and its importance both culturally and economically.

He gives the example of educational video games, which have been paid scant attention in Spain and have failed to make inroads in schools here. “It’s a cultural thing,” said Sahun. “In the US, games are often used in educational settings, but here the attitude is old-fashioned and local schools are reluctant to introduce new technology.” Sahun also sees that local investors lack knowledge of how the industry works, making it hard for indie studios to get funding. A major role that GameBCN has is breaking down these barriers. It provides information sessions to investors, as well as a ‘Demo Day’ at the end of the incubation period, when investors are invited to see the completed games and meet the developers.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” said Espinosa with a smile, referring to some small steps forward by the government.

Some financial help for indie studios was announced earlier this year by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, in the form of €6.25 million to be given as grants. The maximum a studio will

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Ubisoft developers at work

be eligible for is €150,000—the amount considered necessary to develop a game over two years with a team of five people maximum.

That the industry could be better supported is confirmed in a recent report by the Association for the Development of Video Games (DEV) that was published in February of this year in association with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. It considers that although some indie studios have had success, these are anecdotal, and it blames a general mistrust by financing houses of an industry they simply don’t understand. The DEV predicts that unless this changes, growth will be slower than in countries where these relationships are more fluid.

Martin of Ubisoft is of the same opinion. “In Spain, they haven’t grasped what this industry can bring. There’s a long way to go.

The level of support has improved but is still extremely low. Other industries benefit from policies specifically for their industry.”

He cites Montreal as an example of what can happen when local government works in unison with the industry. The Quebec government was quick to recognise the potential of becoming a powerhouse for video game development and encouraged its progress through public/private strategies and favourable policies.

The result is a booming industry, which is now fifth in the world for turnover and number of people employed.

Capei is quick to point out that there are many reasons that Spain should be supporting this industry. Not only is it hugely profitable, filling the state coffers through company taxes and the taxes of a highly-paid workforce, but he considers it a model industry in many other ways. “We work with ‘grey matter’. We don’t generate any kind of waste. Environmentally we are a very clean industry.”

He also pointed out that, in a region with youth unemployment at more than 30 percent, the majority of Ubisoft’s employees are under 30. And, as the industry grows, so will the number of jobs it provides. By 2019, DEV estimates that the industry will employ 4,600 people in Catalunya.

The impact of the gaming industry doesn’t just stop at entertainment. Consumer-driven, the gaming industry consistently tests the limits of technology, from the race to create more powerful PCs to the use of virtual and augmented reality. And its continual innovation extends into other industries, from architecture to education and medicine. Games that employ movement tracking and virtual reality are used to help physical rehabilitation, combat phobias and improve mental agility in elderly people. Given that Barcelona is home to a burgeoning tech industry, it can only benefit from the synergies this innovation brings.

So, what’s the future for the city’s gaming industry? All agree that for now, at least, it’s looking bright and what it lacks in institutional support it makes up for in dynamism and ambition.

Whether the country is able to ensure that this ‘perfect storm’ reaches its full potential remains to be seen. “It’s an ecosystem that if nourished will go very far,” Martin summed up.

BARCELONA GAMING EVENTS GameLab

Barcelona Games World

June 27th-29th gamelab.es

November 29th-December 2nd barcelonagamesworld.com

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LA CREMADA DEL DIMONI ON MAY 10TH, THE BEACH IN BADALONA FILLS UP FOR THE TRADITIONAL BURNING OF THE DEVIL

By J.S. von Dacre

T

he Festes de Maig are to Badalona as La Mercè is to Barcelona.

Commemorating Badalona’s patron saint, Sant Anastasi, a Roman soldier born in Lleida, who was martyred in Badalona during the fourth century for converting to Christianity, and featuring correfocs, music, fireworks, children’s activities and more, the highlight of the month-long festivities is La Cremada del Dimoni (the burning of the devil) on the night of May 10th.

Far from anything Machiavellian or satanic, the tradition is rooted in an ancient legend, passed down through generations as a time to burn away any lingering evil spirits. The night begins with the Ball de l’Àliga (dance of the eagle), in which the eagle represents all the citizens of the town. The large bird of prey does its majestic dance accompanied by la Banda Simfònica de Badalona and a small procession, making its way from the city council building down Carrer de Mar to Passeig de la Rambla, where it performs a final dance near the demon set up on the beach. This spectacle is followed by fireworks and the burning of the Dimoni.

The design for the emblematic demon is chosen from hundreds of submissions by a panel of political representatives and people from the world of culture, art and design. The winning design usually alludes to current affairs, whether local or beyond Badalona’s borders. In 2017, the Dimoni took the guise of the Statue of Liberty, standing 16-metres-high and referencing the refugee crisis, as well as the NGO Proactiva Open Arms, which was founded in Badalona in 2015 and is devoted to search and rescue at sea. The figure had a wall around its base, preventing a ship from docking on its shore. A complex work costing €27,000, it was turned to ash to the delight of the entire city like every other year.

This year, the winning design is by Antonio Amador Aguilar. Titled ‘The Demon that screamed freedom’, Amador’s demon depicts a political prisoner, donning a yellow scarf and a cap with ‘1-0’ written on it, which is trying to break through the bars of its prison cell. Although the panel of judges presented three different designs to the public and Amador’s won by popular vote on the internet, the visual symbolism has sparked controversy.

If you’re curious about older designs for the Dimoni, images of all the previous demons, dating back to 1940, line the walls of the Badalona Pompeu Fabra metro station.

The ambience of the event is one of the biggest draws. David Carrasco, CMO of Unancor Marketing in Badalona, believes that the longevity of the tradition and its popularity today is due to its ability to connect people from near and far.

“The Festes de Maig are the perfect excuse to enjoy all Badalona has to offer in an exuberant setting, from strolling beneath the palm trees along La Rambla to taking in a concert by a local band.” Carrasco also recommends having dinner in town, although finding an open table can be a bit of a struggle.

Eli, 34, from Badalona, said, “For me, La Cremada del Dimoni is an unquestioned tradition. My grandparents live on La Rambla, so they’ve always invited friends and family over to their place for the night. Depending on how well-maintained the palm trees are that year, we may or may not be able to see the Dimoni down on the beach, but it’s still nice to watch the celebrations slightly removed from the crowds.”

Between 50,000 and 70,000 people flock to the beach in Badalona for La Cremada del Dimoni, so get there early to secure your spot on the sand and if you want to go out to dinner in the city, make reservations in advance.

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CITY OF THE DEAD DESIGNED BY ENRIC MIRALLES AND CARME PINÓS, THE CEMETERI NOU IN IGUALADA IS A SITE OF ARCHITECTURAL PILGRIMAGE

By Will Shank

W

hile art museums vie for the attention of tourists and locals by mounting high-profile, must-see exhibitions, there is another kind of cultural destination that attracts a smaller, and more discerning, audience. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion near Plaça d’Espanya will know that one usually shares the modernist, steel and glass building with only a handful of other architecture devotees on any given day. A similarly contemplative experience of communing with an icon of modern architecture has been discovered by the cognoscenti, and that is the ‘new’ cemetery at Igualada, completed in 1994.

The cemetery is a bit of a hike from Barcelona and best reached by car, unless you fancy a 30-minute walk through an industrial estate from the Igualada train station. The rewards, however, are great for those who make the 65-kilometre trek to this town of 40,000 inhabitants in the comarca of Anoia, just beyond the Penedès wine region.

Barcelona residents will be most familiar with the work of Enric Miralles because of his eye-catching Mercat de Santa Caterina with its multi-coloured sweeping roofline—a project completed

by EMBT, the architectural firm he founded in 1993 alongside his second wife, Italian architect Benedetta Tagliabue. The couple led numerous projects, both at home and abroad, including the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.

Enric Miralles died tragically young at the age of 45 in the summer of 2000 and didn’t live to see some of his most famous works completed. Tagliabue continues to run EMBT, which still carries both sets of their initials.

In collaboration with his first wife, Carme Pinós, Miralles created many innovative structures around Catalunya, including the jutting canopies of the Passeig Marítim de la Nova Icària in Vila Olímpica,

and the Archery Pavilion for the 1992 Olympic Games. The Igualada Cemetery is their combined crowning achievement.

The couple separated during the Igualada project, but both parties can be credited with the success of the poetic cemetery, which is now a destination for serious architecture aficionados, but remains tranquil due to its remote location. Pinós has continued her career as a renowned architect, whose Barcelona firm is active internationally and whose local work includes the reconfigured Sitges waterfront and the stunning new Escola Massana behind La Boqueria, as well as the square that surrounds it.

The architects managed to reinvent the concept of the cemetery Pinós and Miralles won the competition to create a new cemetery for the town of Igualada in 1984, when its old cemetery was filled to capacity. In a complex project that took almost 10 years to complete, the architects managed to reinvent the concept of the cemetery as an earthwork rather than a construction. Its lyrical success comes from their incorporating the existing topography of the rolling hillsides into the shapes of the structures that they placed upon and within the earth of the construction site.

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Photo by Will Shank

Photo by Will Shank

BIOGRAPHY ENRIC MIRALLES

(1955-2000)

Spanish designer and architect Enric Miralles was born in Barcelona in 1955. After training at the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), he collaborated with Albert Viaplana and Helio Piñón and became a visiting Fulbright professor at Columbia University. In 1985, he began his independent career with his partner Carme Pinós, creating some of his most poetic works, including the Igualada Cemetery.

In 1993, Miralles founded EMBT with his second wife, Benedetta Tagliabue. Together they produced what many consider his lifetime achievement: the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh.

During his career, Miralles taught as a professor at internationally acclaimed schools, such as ETSAB, the Städleschule of Frankfurt am Main and Harvard University, and was welcomed as a member of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Among other accolades, he received the 1995 National Architecture Prize, awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, and the ‘Golden Lion’ at the 1996 Venice Architecture Biennale.

Photo by Carol Moran

Sadly, his prolific career was cut short at its peak, when he died of a brain tumour in July 2000.

Beyond his completed projects, the original architectural language that he developed throughout his career lives on in the work of his partners and disciples, many of whom have gone on to create their own award-winning firms. The prolific architect was known for designing freely formed buildings using heavy materials, derived from a profound sense of place that respects the tradition and history of the building’s location.

The design process, from the overall concept to the minute details, was executed primarily through hand drawings and models, painstakingly crafted and re-crafted with every new design development.

To continue his legacy, the Enric Miralles Foundation was established in 2012 by Tagliabue, offering a space in Barcelona for students and professionals to experiment and get inspiration from the works of the late architect.

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Photo by Carol Moran

Diagonal Mar Park

The experience of entering and passing through the cemetery is a singularly moving one. The architects have taken some of the crudest construction materials of their era—poured concrete, stone-filled gabion walls and rusting steel—to take the visitor on a figurative pathway that connects the living and the dead, the past and the present. Inspired by the shapes and materials of Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, Miralles and Pinós sunk the tombs into a natural slope of earth, leading the visitor from an entryway, marked by cross-like shapes in rusting steel, down the path of a symbolic river of life. The route towards the burial area is lined by perforated sloping walls, some leaning in and some leaning outwards, in order to catch the sun and the play of shadows from a central grove of trees and to maximise their visual effect as they dance on the cold concrete surfaces.

Railway ties are imbedded in a hodgepodge pattern in the concrete floor that brings to mind floating logs in a river bed as it descends towards a round open plaza surrounded by tombs. The final resting places of the inhabitants are on two levels, which one discovers on a circuitous route from the sunken pathway to a grass-covered knoll above it. The circular route inevitably brings the visitor into a place of contemplation about the cycle of life and death.

One senses the solitude and serenity of the surrounding landscape in the choices made by Pinós and Miralles. The natural materials of the surrounding area are reflected in the earth tones and the surfaces of the wood, the stones and the aging concrete itself.

An unused autopsy laboratory and an unfinished chapel add to the haunting nature of the site. While the spaces are abandoned, they are physically complete and evocative of other spiritual structures, open for interpretation by each visitor who brings his or her experience along to the enigmatic site.

For me, the most beautiful feature of the architectural composition is the way in which it dissolves the line between culture and nature, in a similar way to Gaudí’s famous Park Güell colonnades: are those archways made of mud, or are they architecture? As one architectural writer said of the cemetery, “What sort of cultural landscape is it… that takes up sides with nature against the monumentalist enterprise of culture, especially when it was supposed to offer visitors an intimation of immortality?...[It is] one that redefines the terms, such that nature is no longer understood as the unproblematic opposite of culture, death no longer the mere antithesis of life.” (Joel D. Robinson, April 2005, ‘Cultural Landscapes in the 21st Century’, a paper presented to UNESCO.) The cemetery ages like the surrounding landscape and, as such, has a life-and-death cycle of its own. In a fitting full-circle moment, Enric Miralles was buried in the Igualada Cemetery after his death.

OTHER WORKS BY MIRALLES SANTA CATERINA MARKET Originally the site of a 13th-century convent, the neoclassical market was built in the mid-19th century after the convent burnt down, and was renovated by EMBT between 1997 and 2005. The project breathed new life into a then-forgotten corner of the Ciutat Vella and was part of a multi-use redevelopment. The market’s theatrical roof is the single most important element: an undulating carpet of colour. Its glazed ceramic surface is a modern take on Gaudí’s trademark trencadís tiling and takes its palette from the myriad hues of the fruit and vegetable market stalls.

GAS NATURAL HEADQUARTERS Close to the seafront, this glass-clad complex offers a stark contrast between the cosmopolitan heart of Barcelona and the industrial history of Barceloneta. Designed by Miralles just before his death and completed in 2005, the complex is striking for its variety of volumes, with the main 20-storey tower connected to a lower block with a five-storey skybridge and a horizontal cantilever that looms out over the surrounding Plaça del Gas.

LUNGOMARE BENCH A piece of street furniture designed to look like the ocean waves and sand dunes cast in concrete, the Lungomare bench was first discussed by Miralles, Tagliabue and design firm Escofet in 1997.

The bench can be found along the seafront in Barcelona, most notably in the Diagonal Mar Park, where it provides a harmonious transition between the sea and the beach.

DIAGONAL MAR PARK Diagonal Mar Park, designed by Miralles in 1995, was built to show Barcelona’s desire to be at the forefront of innovative and sustainable architecture, and marked the start of the urban transformation of the northern shore of the city. Starting at the sea, the 14-hectare space spreads inland along a tree-like maze of branching paths that lead through seven distinct recreational zones, all linked by water.

PALAFOLLS PUBLIC LIBRARY The library in Palafolls, a small town 65 kilometres north of Barcelona, was built to imitate a huge 700 m2 classroom filled with natural light. The asymmetry of the dividing walls create hidden gardens and intimate spaces for reading, which merge the internal environment with its natural surroundings. Designed by Miralles in 1997, it was completed in 2007 by EMBT.

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music TOO GOOD AT GOODBYES

SAM SMITH. PALAU SANT JORDI. PG. OLÍMPIC 5-7. MAY 15TH. The frank openness of Sam Smith’s beautifully vulnerable voice has been captivating fans around the world since his breakthrough in 2012. After featuring in the single ‘Latch’ by electronic duo Disclosure, he quickly rose to fame. Smith’s smooth, powerful ballads deal with heartbreak, loneliness and the harsh reality of human sentimentality. This hugely successful recipe led to global chart domination: ‘Stay with Me’ from his first album, In the Lonely Hour (2014), reached number one in three countries and top 10 status in another 12. His success continued in 2015, when he won four Grammy Awards, as well as the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘Writing on the Wall’, the title track for Bond film Spectre (2015). Shifting seamlessly between signature gospel and vintage soul, his latest album, The Thrill of It All (2017), portrays an artist who’s hardened his heart to survive in a cruel world.

‘Him’ universalises the pain of heartbreak from an LGBTI perspective, while ‘Pray’ was written following a charity trip to Iraq and is quickly becoming an anthem of resilience. Revealing his honest sensitivity with magnificent falsettos, Smith brings his tour to Palau Sant Jordi on May 15th.

CROSSING BOWS

2CELLOS. AUDITORI FÒRUM. PL. LEONARDO DA VINCI 11-14.

MAY 12TH & 13TH. Luka Šulic and Stjepan Hauser first met at a performance masterclass in Croatia and knew they would spend the rest of their careers competing against each other. Studying in the UK, at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music respectively, they often found themselves at the same competitions and auditions. Although Šulic won a series of international prizes, including gold at the VII Witold Lutoslawski International Cello Competition, and Hauser won 21 first place prizes internationally, they both struggled financially after graduating. In 2010, the pair decided to switch Bach for Jackson and recorded a cover of ‘Smooth Criminal’ for YouTube.

The duet, which plays on their competitive history by having the cellists face off in a musical battle, quickly went viral and received more than three million views in the first two weeks. This led to a record deal from Sony Masterworks and their first album, 2Cellos (2011), which included covers of songs by U2, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana and Muse. They have since released another three albums, collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra, appeared on Glee and toured globally with Sir Elton John. Still uploading to YouTube, they have reached more than 650 million views since starting their channel. Touring their 2017 album Score, they will perform soundtracks from major films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones, Chariots of Fire (1981) and Titanic (1997), at the Auditori Fòrum.

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NOCTURNAL ANIMAL

RICARDO ARJONA. SANT JORDI CLUB. PG. OLĂ?MPIC 5-7. MAY 12TH & 13TH. Ricardo Arjona is one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time. Although as a young man he was an international basketball player and worked as a school teacher, the Guatemalan rock star always knew that singing was his vocation. He made his debut in 1985, recording solely in Latin America for the first five years of his career. He signed a deal with Sony Music in 1990 and broke onto the world stage with his fourth album, Animal Nocturno (1993). He is known for his lyrical style and although his early releases only addressed themes of love and heartbreak, more recent songs tackle social and political issues, such as racism and immigration in Latin America. Now with 15 albums under his belt, Arjona is touring with his latest release, Circo Soledad (2017), performing in Europe for the first time in eight years. True to its name, the show promises to be a real spectacle, featuring clowns, trapeze artists and more than 45 musicians.

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music

IN CONCERT

4th. The Chameleons Bikini. Avda. Diagonal 547.

5th. ISLAND La Nau. Àlaba 30.

DAY AND NIGHT

THe VAMPs. RAZZMATAZZ. PAMPLONA 88. MAY 25TH.

9th. Niall Horan Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

10th. Maestro Gran Teatre del Liceu. La Rambla 51-59.

11th & 12th. Fito & Fitipaldis Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

12th & 13th. 2Cellos Auditori Fòrum. Pl. Leonardo Da Vinci 11-14.

13th. Ricardo Arjona Sant Jordi Club. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

14th. Haydn’s Creation Palau de la Música. Palau de la Música 4-6.

15th. Sam Smith Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

17th. Bryde La Nau. Àlaba 30.

Fresh-faced and bubbly, this British boy band burst onto the pop scene in 2012. Beginning their music career when the members were all in their late teens, The Vamps rose to prominence first through popular YouTube videos and then by touring with the likes of McFly, Demi Lovato and Little Mix. The group was created when lead guitarist James McVey recruited the others through social media.

After uploading cover versions of pop hits onto YouTube throughout 2012, they released their

first original song, ‘Wild Heart’, in July 2013 and their first downloadable single, ‘Can We Dance’, in September of the same year. The latter debuted at number two on the UK singles chart a month later and has since gone platinum. Their 2014 hit ‘Somebody to You’, featuring Demi Lovato, is their most popular track to date, having racked up an impressive 135 million views on YouTube. The boys come to Barcelona this month to present their third studio album, Night & Day (2017).

25th. The Vamps Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

26th. Dani Martín Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

IS THIS TOWN READY?

NIALL HORAN. RAZZMATAZZ. PAMPLONA 88. MAY 9TH. When Niall Horan failed to qualify for The X-Factor as a solo artist and was grouped with four other boys to create One Direction, it turned out to be his lucky day. Fast-forward eight years and the Irish pop star has achieved worldwide fame and chart-topping status with all five albums he recorded with the boy band. Since the group took a hiatus in 2016, Horan has worked on forging a new image for himself, embracing a more folksy sound. When the 24-yearold was writing his first solo album, Flicker (2017), he drew on childhood influences Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles to create a sound that accentuates his acoustic guitar skills but still has a funky edge. He seems to have the lyrics, the singing and the guitar playing down, but what does he think is the hardest part of performing solo? “The biggest challenge of finishing the album was making sure I could sing for that long,” he said in an interview with NME. Razzmatazz is stop 27 on his 80-performance world tour, where he will play the full album, alongside some well-known One Direction hits.

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ART REVIEW

THE VALUE OF HANDMADE Will Shank visits ‘William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement in Great Britain’ at the MNAC Until May 21st

I

f Englishman William Morris (1834-1896) did not single-handedly create the Arts and Crafts movement in his home country, he was certainly at the centre of it, as its very embodiment. A person of enormous creative energy, Morris was an embroiderer, a calligrapher, a pattern designer, a fabric-maker and an architectural preservationist, among many other things.

He was devoted to the sacred cow of decorative arts as an idealisation of the handmade object during the Industrial Revolution. In an era when factory workers were increasingly cranking out standardised household objects on assembly lines, his firm, Morris and Company, held high the torch of the nobility of individually handcrafted creations, from mantlepieces to wallpaper, reed-seat chairs to candlesticks. One shudders to think what they would have thought of our plastic world a century later.

The Arts and Crafts movement was officially born in Great Britain around 1880, and it developed until the First World War. From England its influence spread rapidly throughout Europe and the US. Offshoots of the original sprang up by the turn of the century in Vienna’s Sessionist art, in Catalan Modernisme and in Frank Lloyd Wright’s American furniture and buildings. A movement in the sincerest sense of the word, Arts and Crafts ideals glorified the design of utilitarian objects and the importance of know-how in everyday life. It mattered to them what sort of trees their ceiling beams came from.

The Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society, founded in London in 1887, also revered humanist philosophy and the aesthetics of Gothic architecture and design. Morris and his supporters were pioneers in the sensibilities of a historic preservation movement (in their Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) that respected

both the forms and the uses of the generations of architecture that preceded them.

The ‘Gothic’ style of the Arts and Crafts movement, however, is less ‘neo’ or ‘retro’ than it is ‘Gothic continued’ in the spirit of Augustus Pugin (1812-1852), who ranted against the evils of the Industrial Revolution and lived in a sort of romanticised Middle Ages.

The subsequent generation, which included Morris, was less fanatical in its abhorrence of mechanised industry, but definitely included humanists for whom the individual work of human hands was paramount. But did they revere the Gothic?

It’s quite clear from this exhibition that they did; Morris went so far as to create two original printing fonts based on hand-lettered medieval script. His zealously embellished edition of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is a sight to behold. His collaborator Edward Burne-Jones said of it, “It will be like a pocket cathedral, so full of design, and I think Morris the greatest master of ornament in the world.”

Many other unique objects of superb quality are among the 300 works on loan from such prestigious institutions as the William Morris Society, Tate Britain and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Paintings by well-known Pre-Raphaelite artists, such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the aforementioned Burne-Jones, hang side by side with Morris’ own tapestries and wallpaper, in an appropriately egalitarian installation in which craft equals art. Dozens of Morris’ signature wall decorations are on view, and I was particularly arrested by a presentation of the woodblocks that were used to produce them. In some cases you can match individual woodblock forms with the subtly coloured prints on the wall. Such a focus on the handmade seems, in our age of instant digital reproduction, at the very least comforting and quaint, and at the most, awe-inspiring.

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art UNDER WRAPS

© Chris Martin

blacK light. cccb. Montalegre 5.

May 16th-october 21st.

For the 51 artists present in the CCCB’s latest collection, art is a means of unlocking and illustrating the secrets of history’s occults and cults. Discover the traditions of some of the most compelling and impenetrable groups since the Fifties through pieces by the 20th century’s greatest surrealists, including Antoni Tàpies, Barnett Newman and Agnes Martin. The mix of media showcased in the exhibition spans styles and genres, united only by its inspiration.

The mysterious societies and separatist trends that are explored range from psychedelia and drug-use to the esoteric strands of major religions. The latter is what inspired the exhibition’s title, referencing Islamic Sufism and its belief in the state of supra-consciousness, symbolised by a black light. In the spirit of the arcane traditions and beliefs themselves, the exhibition encourages visitors to adopt art as a vehicle to achieve a higher cognitive level.

© Sucesión Pablo Picasso, VEGAP, Madrid 2018

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY

Picasso Kitchen.

Museu Picasso. Montcada 15-23.

May 25th-sePteMber 30th.

Food played a role throughout Picasso’s life, serving as a source of inspiration, torment and escape. In the early years of his career, restaurants such as Els Quatre Gats in Barcelona and Lapin Agile in Montmartre, Paris hosted bohemian artists who wanted to discuss art, politics and literature over a cheap meal or a drink. Picasso later used cooking utensils and ingredients in many of his still lifes, and references to cooking techniques and the kitchen can be found in his theatre work and poetry. More abstractly, the act of eating and becoming satiated is a central theme in his art, acting as a symbol of (un)conscious desire, the passage of time and a metaphor for the sexual act. This exhibition at the Museu Picasso brings together nearly 200 pieces from various museums and private collections, offering a chronological overview of the artist’s life and relationship to the kitchen. It also includes a special collaboration with chef Ferran Adrià, comparing Picasso’s work with the artistry of contemporary culinary creation.

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EXHIBITIONS

OPENING MEAM Luisa Granero Granero’s son has lent an impressive collection of his mother’s work to the MEAM, concluding the museum’s springtime series paying homage to female talent.

Hundreds of sculptures made of terracotta, plaster and bronze detail the career of the artist, whose tenacity and willpower gained her international recognition before her death six years ago. Opening May 1st. Barra de Ferro 5.

MACBA Melanie Smith. Farce and artifice.

This exhibition examines modernity in urban, industrial and natural settings. The photos, paintings and films by British-born Mexican artist Melanie Smith function in an almost archeological way, breaking down her experience in Mexico City after emigrating from Thatcher’s Britain in 1989. Opening May 18th. Pl. dels Àngels 1.

LAST CHANCE CAIXAFORUM Músicas en la antigüedad This collection from the Musée du Louvre and 20 other partners takes visitors on a voyage of discovery through the roles and uses of music in ancient civilisations. Nearly 400 pieces reveal how music developed and spread around the Mediterranean and the Middle East, becoming an industry and profession defined by the complex relationship between power, sanctity and majesty.

Until May 6th. Avda. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 6-8.

MNAC William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement in Great Britain One of Britain’s most prolific designers, William Morris’ collections of wallpaper and printed textiles are accompanied by stained glass, floor coverings, furniture and embroidery in this exhibition, which evaluates his work and relevance to the Arts and Crafts movement.

Until May 20th. Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc.

FUNDACIÓ ANTONI TÀPIES Allora & Calzadilla A collaboration between American Jennifer Allora and Cuban Guillermo Calzadilla, this is an experimental body of work about the interrelationship of human and animal forms in the context of Puerto Rico’s vulnerability to climate change. Sound, sculpture, video and photography are all used in conjunction with live performance to mirror the plurality of crises affecting the country.

Until May 20th. Aragó 255.

CCCB World Press Photo 2018 Winning photos from the international photojournalism competition portray honest and often accosting insights into contemporary and environmental issues. Screenings of the 12 shortlisted films of the Digital Storytelling Contest will also take place at the CCCB and various civic centres and libraries across the city.

Until May 27th. Montalegre 5.

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BLADERUNNER A screening of the classic 1982 film starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, directed by Ridley Scott.

5pm. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

The world-renowned Armenian violinist brings his Stradivarius to Barcelona to perform César Franck's Violin Sonata in E major.

9.30pm. Palau de la Música.

The bi-annual festival, taking place in provinces across Spain, returns to offer cheap tickets to screenings of new releases. Various cinemas.

Until May 9th.

RETURNING LIGHT The final week of the beeswax photography exhibition, which forms part of the BEEHAVE project.

Fundació Joan Miró. Until May 13th.

8SERGEY KHACHATRYAN

AMER-SOC HAPPY HOUR A monthly networking event to promote business and social cohesion within the English-speaking community of Barcelona.

8pm. Location TBC.

The Irish pop-folk singer, known for his time in One Direction, performs his first solo album, Flicker (2017).

9pm. Razzmatazz.

9NIALL HORAN

CHINATOWN Take a trip back in time with this screening of the 1974 neo-noir film Chinatown by celebrated director Roman Polanski.

5pm. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

Celebrate the best of Beethoven with a performance by 2016 Gramophone Award-winning pianist Igor Levit.

8.30pm. Palau de la Música.

The winner of Best Female Artist at MTV’s African Music Awards in 2015 and 2016, Yemi Alade performs her latest album, Black Magic (2017).

8pm. Sala Apolo.

LUISA GRANERO A homage to the Barcelona-born sculptor, with pieces spanning her professional life, alongside sculptures by other well-known artists.

MEAM. Until June 3rd.

2IGOR LEVIT

WE DN ESDAY

1YEMI ALADE

TUE SDAY

7FIESTA DEL CINE

PHOTO .

YEMI ALADE (1ST)

MONDAY

SAM SMITH (15TH)

DIGITAL STORYTELLING A screening of the 12 shortlisted films from the digital categories of the 2017 World Press Photo competition.

7pm. CCCB.

The composer of the epic soundtrack brings the series to life, conducting a live symphony orchestra blended with scenes from the show.

9pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

10 GAME OF THRONES

IDIORHYTHMIAS FESTIVAL A celebration of Roland Barthes’ utopian idea of community, presented through talks, screenings, live performances and music.

MACBA. Until May 5th.

Texan indietronica band The Octopus Project bring together a mix of electronic and digital sounds in their latest album, Memory Mirror (2017).

9pm. Sidecar.

3THE OCTOPUS PROJECT

T HURSDAY

ART AUCTION Featuring work by local artists, 50 percent of the profits from this auction will go to the Hot Chili Chicas for their charity fundraising drive.

7pm. Olivart Art Gallery.

A showcase of ball handling, comedy and theatre performed by a team of skilled American basketball players.

7.30pm. Palau Olímpic de Badalona.

11 HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

WORLD PRESS PHOTO 2018 The best and most jarring journalistic photographs of the year are exhibited in Barcelona as part of the annual international competition.

CCCB. Until May 27th.

A free-flowing dance performance to the music of jazz legend John Coltrane, choreographed by Belgian Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and Spanish dancer Salva Sanchis.

Mercat de les Flors. Until May 6th.

4A LOVE SUPREME

FRIDAY

RICARDO ARJONA One of the most successful Latin American artists of all time returns to the city. 9pm. Sant Jordi Club.

More than 250 stands showcase the world of DIY, handicrafts and other handmade products.

Fira de Barcelona. May 11th-13th.

12 HANDMADE FESTIVAL

ISLAND London-based alternative guitar band ISLAND are on their first European tour, after performances at Leeds and Reading festivals last summer.

9.30pm. La Nau.

The co-founder of BCN Honey Fest, Steve Rogenstein, hosts a two-hour workshop on the uses of honey in cooking and the benefits of baking with the natural sweetener.

12-2pm and 6-8pm. Espai EGG.

5HONEY COOKING CLASS

SAT URDAY

2CELLOS The awe-inspiring Croatian cellists perform arrangements of TV show and movie soundtracks from their latest album, Score (2017).

Auditori Fòrum. May 12th & 13th.

For the 28th year, Barcelona hosts the international race, which will see drivers complete 66 laps of the circuit in as short a time as possible.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

May 11th-13th.

13 SPANISH GRAND PRIX 2018

D’A FILM FESTIVAL The final day of the festival celebrating the finest contemporary auteur cinema from around the world.

Various venues. April 26th-May 6th.

Europe’s biggest organic and ecological product fair connects 700 exhibitors and 72,000 visitors.

Palau Sant Jordi. May 3rd-6th.

6BIOCULTURA

SUN DAY

MAY 2018

THIS MONTH

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KAMASI WASHINGTON (14TH)

TRIX THE T-REX The exhibition presenting the bestpreserved T-Rex skeleton so far uncovered by paleontologists closes.

CosmoCaixa. Until May 21st.

MELANIE SMITH. FARCE AND ARTIFICE. The most comprehensive European exhibition of the artist’s work to date, encompassing early sculptures and assemblages, alongside more recent work in photography and installation.

MACBA. Until October 7th.

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KAMASI WASHINGTON One of the most famous jazz musicians of the contemporary era, the American saxophonist brings his big band back to Barcelona.

9pm. Razzmatazz.

The chart-topping British pop singer stops in the city as part of his The Thrill of It All Tour.

9pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

A choral concert celebrating the end of American-French conductor William Christie’s residence at the Modernista concert hall.

8.30pm. Palau de la Música.

PRIMAVERA SOUND Kicking off Barcelona’s summer music festival circuit, the four-day event brings together international musicians such as Belle and Sebastian, and Arctic Monkeys.

Parc del Fòrum. Until June 2nd.

The up-and-coming American dreampop artist brings his Eighties-inspired music to Barcelona. 9pm. Sidecar.

How revolutionary is blockchain? This event will screen the TED Talk 'How the blockchain will radically transform the economy’. 7pm. Mazda Space.

WORLD RECYCLING CONVENTION Learn about the latest innovations in recycling technology and what companies are doing to tackle problems in the industry.

Hotel Sofia. May 28th-30th.

30 GUS DAPPERTON

LE SONGE (17TH)

FESTA MAJOR DE NOU BARRIS A week-long neighbourhood festival with activities, including markets, concerts, talks and workshops.

Nou Barris. May 15th-21st.

An exhibition of more than 350 works by surrealist artists exploring the influence of occult and cult traditions on contemporary art from the Fifties to the present day.

CCCB. Until October 21st.

16 BLACK LIGHT

29 TEDXBARCELONA SALON

CATALAN SOLDIERS IN AFRICA This exhibition, exploring Spanish colonial history, documents the experiences of Catalan soldiers in Africa. Barcelona Ethnological Museum. Until January 2019.

HOTEL TAPA TOUR A month-long gastronomic festival, during which Barcelona’s five-star hotels will compete to serve the best tapa in town. Various locations.

May 1st-30th.

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TEDXBARCELONA SALON A screening of the TED Talk 'Military robots and the future of war’, followed by a debate on the impact of the automation of industry.

7pm. Mazda Space.

15 SAM SMITH

14 HAYDN’S CREATION

BELY BASARTE (26TH)

PRIMAVERA SOUND (30TH) PHOTO

PICASSO’S KITCHEN An exhibition exploring Picasso’s relationship with food, including a special collaboration with Catalan chef Ferran Adrià. Museu Picasso.

Until September 30th.

THE VAMPS The British boy band, which rose to fame in 2012, stop in Barcelona, touring their latest album, Night & Day (2017). 9pm. Razzmatazz.

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CARMEN, CARMEN, CARMEN A flamenco show paying homage to the Barcelona-born dancer and singer Carmen Amaya.

9pm. Palau de la Música.

Museums play an important role in city life, and today most in Barcelona are open for free! Various locations.

18 INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY

CARMEN (5TH)

DANI MARTÍN The lead singer of Spanish rock band El Canto del Loco performs his fourth solo album, Grandes Éxitos y Pequeños Desastres (2017).

9pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning composer conducts the Orfeó Català and the Orquestra Simfónica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya.

8.30pm. Palau de la Música.

26 SOHN ADAMS

EDITORS (26TH)

MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL The DreamWorks Animation movie series is adapted for the stage in this family-friendly musical showcase.

Teatre Victòria. May 18th-June 3rd.

BARCELONA JAZZ ORCHESTRA Let your hair down and dance the night away at this monthly swing and jazz event. 6pm. Sala Apolo.

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AGENT P An English-language play by Barcelona-based writer Georgina Tremayne, with all ticket sales going to support the Hot Chili Chicas’ charity fundraiser. Vintage Works.

May 17th-20th.

The international documentary film festival returns to the city for its 21st edition, bringing together the best of the year’s factual films.

Various cinemas. May 16th-27th.

Nauzet and Adexe Gutiérrez Hernández, young brothers from the Canary Islands, have become YouTube stars thanks to their freespirited Latin beats.

7pm. Sant Jordi Club.

NIT DELS MUSEUS Museums across the city open their doors until late, offering free guided visits, concerts, shows and other activities throughout the night.

Various museums.

20 DOCSBARCELONA 2018

19 ADEXE & NAU

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE BARCELONA-METROPOLITAN.COM

I WANT U BACK The ultimate tribute show to Michael Jackson, created especially for his legion of Spanish fans, tours around the country. Teatre Poliorama.

Until June 24th.

The annual trade show that supports businesses and self-employed professionals provides the tools and knowledge to successfully tackle modern business challenges.

Fira de Barcelona - Montjuïc.

May 30th & 31st.

31 BIZBARCELONA

INFORMAL NETWORKING EVENING The European Chambers of Commerce in Spain host an informal occasion for fellow business people in Barcelona to meet and chat.

7pm. Location TBC.

RONE The French DJ and electronic music producer tours his latest album, Mirapolis (2017). 8.30pm. Sala Apolo.

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THE VISIT A tragicomic English-language play, posing the question of how far people will go for wealth. Almeria Teatre.

Until June 3rd.

A ballet inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare, performed by Les Ballets de Monte Carlo.

Liceu. May 16th-19th.

17 LE SONGE

misc A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

niT dels museus.

CiTy CenTre. may 20Th. The first Long Night of the Museums, held in Berlin in 1997, saw 18 museums in the German city open for free after regular visiting hours, in celebration of International Museum Day on May 18th. Despite an initially cold reception, the night became a resounding success and in the past 20 years, has gone on to inspire similar events in 120 cities across 40 countries. Barcelona’s own Nit dels Museus will be on May 20th this year. More than 80 museums will open their doors to all for an evening dedicated to the exploration of the various collections and exhibitions.

Barcelona Cultura has created six routes, each spanning several neighbourhoods and highlighting the best of the city’s artwork. A special seventh route, Creation & Museums, will give the public further insight into the artistic and creative processes behind current museum projects. Each museum has created its own programme of events for the occasion, including concerts, workshops, guided tours and family-friendly activities.

YOU KNOW NOTHING

Game of Thrones ConCerT. Palau sanT Jordi. PG. olímPiC 5-7. may 10Th. The Game of Thrones theme song is one of the most recognisable earworms of the 21st century. It has been covered countless times by indie bands, solo artists and instrumental groups, which has only served to increase the popularity of the show and its soundtrack around the world. In recognition of this, the composer of the score, Ramin Djawadi, has set out on a global tour, accompanied by a live symphony orchestra, to bring it to life. The music will play to scenes of epic battle sequences and shocking plot twists. Audience members will sit in sections according to their faction, so choose wisely whether you are House Targaryen, Stark or Lannister.

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FLY ON THE WALL

doCsBarCelona. Parallel 40. rosselló 184. may 16Th-27Th. Celebrating its 21st edition, DOCSBarcelona returns with the best documentaries on the international scene. It provides amateur and professional filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their work and engage with the work of others through industrybased activities. The festival’s categories include ‘Panorama’, a series of international films; ‘Latitude’, which includes films produced by directors of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American descent; and ‘What the Doc’, which awards the most radical and innovative documentaries. Every year, offshoots of the DOCS festival are also held in Medellín, Colombia and Valparaíso, Chile, where it has helped to foster filmmaking talent. Two decades on, DOCS continues to have a profound impact on the international documentary scene, cultivating curiosity and creativity in Barcelona and beyond.

A MORAL DILEMMA

The VisiT. almeria TeaTre. sanT lluís 64. may 17Th-June 3rd.

Escapade Theatre, a professional theatre company founded by two British actors living in Catalunya, presents its take on the 1956 Swiss play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt, The Visit. Set in a poverty-stricken Swiss town in the Fifties, the tragicomedy is a cautionary tale against corruption and greed. The play follows billionaire Claire Zachanassian’s return to Gullen, the town that exiled her 40 years earlier. Seeking revenge, Zachanassian bribes the starving villagers to murder her ex-lover, Anton Schill. “Escapade is returning to its ‘gestural theatre’ roots with The Visit,” explained starring director and company cofounder Sue Flack. “Having performed Berkoff’s Decadence (1981) and Metamorphosis (1969) nearly 20 years ago, we are now pulling out all the stops to make this a true German Expressionist piece.” Dürrenmatt’s surrealist social critique won him international acclaim upon the play’s original release in Zurich, and his comments on capitalism and morality continue to be relevant today.

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INTERVIEW

FOOD FOR

THOUGHT RASMUS BJERNGAARD EXPLAINS HIS VISION FOR FEEDING THE PLANET

By Carol Moran

A

food crisis is looming. By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach nine billion, straining our ability to provide for basic needs. With demand for food on the rise and climate change affecting crops across the planet, scientists are posing the question of where we will be able to find enough food to feed the world and how we can do it without further damaging the planet.

Danish entrepreneur Rasmus Bjerngaard has a few ideas. In 2016, he co-founded NextFood, a fully automatic aeroponic growth system that is soil-free. It is a scalable technology that makes all the benefits of vertical farming—high quality crops grown sustainably and without pesticides—available and affordable to anyone, with no expertise required.

So, how does it work? Plants are cultivated within a shelving system that can be delivered flat-pack. The conditions within the shelves are carefully controlled. “We control the entire environment around the plant. We control the light: the wavelength, the intensity, when it is on and off, all depending on where we are in the growth cycle,” explained Bjerngaard. “We control the fertigation: which fertiliser is given (there are 16 different types), the PH and quantity.

We also control the humidity, temperature and a bunch of other parameters to create the optimum conditions for the plant.”

This takes place within an aeroponic growth system—the process of growing plants in an air environment without soil. “Plants don’t need soil,” Bjerngaard explained further. “Soil is a holding medium. It holds nutrients, water and the plant. We can provide all those without soil.” Each plant grows from an individual pod and the roots hang freely inside a box. “It’s dark in there, and we spray a fine mist over the roots. The water droplets are 30 to 80 micrometres, which is just the right size to get straight into the plant roots,” Bjerngaard described. “This methodology saves more

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The Very Present Future is a series of interviews spearheaded by videographer Milo de Prieto. Metropolitan has teamed up with Milo to interview interesting thinkers and doers from all walks of life, all of whom have had a positive influence on the city in some way. Visit our website to watch the accompanying video to this interview.

than 95 percent of water, uses very little fertiliser and has zero pollutive run-off.”

The whole process is controlled via computer technology. “It means that you can open up the app and say ‘I need a kilo of basil in four weeks’, and you don’t need to do anything else.” The app will let you know if it needs your help—refilling water, placing the seedpods—and when it is time to harvest. And it doesn’t stop there.

The growing box is fitted with sensors that feed real-time data back to a central cloud. Using artificial intelligence, this mass of data is used to continually improve results by refining the ‘grow recipe’ for each plant.

A certain amount of Bjerngaard’s affinity for plants comes from his upbringing. “I’m from the countryside north of Copenhagen,” he said. “I grew up on a farm, so I have always been building things and working outside.” Bjerngaard went on to study engineering and later, psychology, then completed an MBA at the London Business School.

His experience in the working world is equally diverse.

“Originally, I trained as an engineer and worked as a researcher in medical ultrasound. I also spent some time working with Doctors Without Borders in a war zone in northern Uganda. There, I ran a children’s centre for kids that were at risk of being abducted by rebel forces.” He then entered the tech world: “I had founding and leading roles in several startups in Silicon Valley and Europe before beginning to invest in others,” he summarised.

After spending much of the last decade working as a venture capitalist—investing in technology, most recently as a partner in one of the main Nordic funds—Bjerngaard was itching to get back to building. Working in business, he found much of his time was spent focusing on short-term goals, and he wanted to take on a project that felt more meaningful. “I wanted to spend the next part of my life doing something that was important,” he recalled. “I have spent some time thinking, and what makes sense for me is to make a difference for other humans and make their lives better.”

Finding a project with the potential to achieve this goal required some contemplation. “I left the fund and took a few steps back to explore. I went back to Africa and got involved in many different kinds of projects,” explained Bjerngaard. He concluded that the food technology industry was where he could make a difference.

“It was already an interest of mine. But also, I could see that this was something we could bring to the market straight away.” He founded NextFood with friend and colleague Hannes Lindal, and in less than a year, the grow system was for sale.

Based in Barcelona and Copenhagen, current clients mainly come from the culinary and plant research sectors, including a hotel that plans to install the system as an aesthetic, as well as practical feature in its restaurant. “Both places are amazing cities with world-class food scenes,” said Bjerngaard. “There is also a great startup spirit here, and that matters.”

The technology is still in its infancy, but is rapidly developing.

Going forward, Bjerngaard strives to continue building the business, “proving that we can make food in a totally new way that is more nutritious, pesticide-free and tastes better. These are the three main things that are important to our customers.” The system can simulate any environmental condition, making it possible to grow species from anywhere in the world, and even modify flavour. “It’s a little bit like DJing: as you listen, you can change the volume, modify the pitch and manipulate all the variables to get the perfect sound. A friend came up with this analogy, and I think it is great because it is a creative process—it’s not just scientific,” he laughed.

In his search for meaning, Bjerngaard’s journey seems to have come full circle. NextFood represents a symbolic return to his farming roots and his engineering background. His new venture takes all the knowledge and experience that he has harnessed along the way and feeds it back into a project for a better future.

“We are heading into a future where there will be two to three billion more people,” said Bjerngaard. “It is just a fact that current technologies are not enough. We need new ways of growing food, and this is part of that. This is part of the solution.”

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PHOTO ESSAY

LONG STORY SHORT CHRISTOPHER KLETTERMAYER SPINS ENTIRE TALES WITH A SINGLE IMAGE

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P

aris is the city of love and New York never sleeps, but Barcelona has, for me, become the city of lust. Lust and an insatiable desire to create and express myself. I’ve always been a storyteller, and starting my career in photojournalism, it became the essence of my work: to tell a tale with a single image. Be it portraits or editorials, in the right frame, I find the most beautiful film stills that invite the viewer to imagine the rest of the story.

Using a spontaneous, natural lighting approach, I realised that the city offers a backdrop or a location for every story I could ever hope to tell.

Different streets can transform into different worlds. The Gothic Quarter can be the scene of a horror story. The beach can be a desert. And Barcelona itself is like a dramatic fairy tale. The inspiration for stories is endless—all you need is the right angle.

Barcelona has also given me a greater appreciation of architecture, in all its forms. In fact, alongside my standard repertoire, my photography explores the more technical aspects of architecture and design.

I live and work in Barcelona and Vienna, and am currently working on a few exhibitions. cklettermayer.com tiltshift-photos.com

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WORKING LIFE

startup of the month

IOMED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

JAVIER DE ORCA, 26, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, IOMED MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

By Natalie Donback

A few years ago, my then flatmate Gabriel came home frustrated and angry after being asked to manually analyse more than 150 patients’ medical records. He was doing clinical rounds as a medical student and spent eight days reading records and manually extracting information, which he then had to copy into an Excel file before he could perform a simple data analysis. One evening he said, ‘It’s unbelievable that we don’t have any tools capable of doing this’. Thinking more about this dilemma, we came up with the idea for IOMED Medical Solutions. It took us three years to understand that we were dealing with something that could actually become a company, but we eventually quit our jobs in order to work full-time on IOMED. The root of the problem is that all the information collected about a patient is simply written down as text in a medical record and saved to a server. That means there are millions of inaccessible medical records saved in hospital servers all around the world. In Catalunya, there are more than 300 million medical records, and that’s only in the public sector. Now imagine what kind of information that is: insights on diagnoses, symptoms, treatments, findings, outcomes. Information that we have but can’t touch— that’s a huge problem. Studies have shown that structuring this data can help hospitals save up to eight percent of their total annual healthcare expenses.

IOMED transforms the information found in written medical records into structured data that can be more easily analysed. The technology we have developed scans the raw material of the medical records, finds keywords, extracts them, codifies them and saves them onto a database.

That way we can find patterns in the data—information that the hospitals can then plug into their business intelligence software to help doctors make more informed decisions.

With the structured data, hospitals can also identify patterns and predictions, which allow them to tackle inefficiencies within the healthcare system. A clear example of this is readmissions (when a patient leaves the hospital with a certain diagnosis and treatment plan, but comes back with the same symptoms in less than 30 days). By analysing millions of similar cases, we can generate a percentage of how likely a patient is to be readmitted. Our predictive algorithm can also pinpoint patients who are at risk of developing sepsis in a hospital, rejecting a prosthesis and so on.

Very few hospitals actually generate and maintain their own systems, instead paying large IT companies to do the job for them. These IT companies are our direct clients. They implement our solution and make sure the right indicators appear in the business intelligence tool of the hospital.

GET INSPIRED...

COMPUTATIONAL LAW AND BLOCKCHAIN FESTIVAL

WORLD PRODUCT DAY SPECIAL MEETUP

Location TBC. May 11th & 12th.

Learn how to (legally) hack at this festival, hosted

by Legal Hackers. The global movement of lawyers, policymakers, designers, technologists and academics explore and develop creative solutions to some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of law and technology. The event will include activities for coders, designers, lawyers and students to co-create the future of law, legal practice and policy, alongside a 24-hour global hackathon for established hackers and coding classes for beginners. legalhackers.org/clbfest

Netsuite Spain. May 23rd. 7pm-10pm.

ProductTank is a 100,000-strong product design community spread over 150 cities worldwide, which aims to raise awareness of the craft of product management. On May 23rd, ProjectTank Barcelona joins the rest of the global community to celebrate World Product Day. The meetup will comprise three talks considering ‘How to Hire a Great Project Manager’, followed by drinks and networking. worldproductday.com

BIZBARCELONA Fira de Barcelona - Montjuïc. May 30th & 31st.

Transform yourself and your business at the latest edition of BizBarcelona, an annual fair that helps SMEs and self-employed professionals adapt to global challenges, such as those presented by the digitalisation of enterprise. The two-day event includes a trade fair, 200 conferences and more than 40 networking spaces, as well as speeches by industry experts, such as Martin vom Stein, managing director of The Shopsumer Institute and author of WhatsApp Retail (2017), and Simon Dolan, CEO of the Global Future of Work Foundation. bizbarcelona.com

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WORKING LIFE

A DAY IN THE LIFE MANDY KEILLOR, 53, AUSTRALIA, CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF STUDIO AUSTRALIA BARCELONA

Mandy is the co-founder of Studio Australia Barcelona, an internationally renowned health and wellness centre.

After emigrating from Australia with her wife, Natalia, the pair opened the centre in 2006. They specialise in rehabilitating people’s bodies and teaching them how to stay healthy with a selection of holistic medical practices and Pilates.

6.55AM I always wake up five minutes before the alarm goes off and take that time to meditate—just being grateful. It’s a good way to start the day, but it’s taken me years to create the habit.

11.30AM I get down to business, either at the studio or Soho House Barcelona.

For the past 10 months, my focus has been on expanding one of our brand’s products online. I have had to study and learn how to do business this way.

7AM I jump in the shower then allow seven minutes for my express Face Pilates exercises—like going to the gym, but for my face. I’ve been doing them three to four times a week for six years.

2.30PM A Pilates class. I try to do one at least three times a week. I’ve been training since my 20s and it is a relief to my body, mind and soul. I need it.

3.30PM Lunch. Normally I grab a salad at the local Italian cafe Brunaqui.

Then I have breakfast: warm water with fresh lemon and a superfood drink, followed by a glass of cabbage juice to wash down my supplements. I spent 15 years as a builder in Australia and made a habit of having at least one litre of water before I leave the house in the morning.

8.10AM Stop off at Farga at the top of Passeig de Gràcia for a pot of mint tea.

(More fluids!) Natalia and I have been going there regularly for 12 years—ever since we arrived in Barcelona. It’s like an institution, and now we are part of the Catalan community that meets there every day.

9AM Set up and open the studio. We see around 30 people a day across all the wellness practices, but most clients come to do Pilates. Depending on the day, I might have to teach. My speciality is body shaping; in particular, upper body development for better posture, rehabilitation and getting rid of saggy arms!

10AM Admin and answering emails. If I have a few minutes, I’ll give my mum, who’s back in Australia, a call to make sure she’s okay.

4.30PM I head home to walk our dogs. We live in the Eixample, just 12 minutes from the studio, so it’s easy to go back and forth each day to walk them.

5.30PM More emails, meetings with practitioners, blog posts and social media, plus I’ve been doing weekly webinars about global investment for women, which have been amazing.

7PM Finally, a glass of wine and a moment to relax with 30 minutes of Australian news. I’ve always prepared dinner while watching the news, and old habits die hard. We eat at home most weeknights—generally organic, fresh and raw.

8.45PM We eat together, talk about our days and enjoy some quiet time.

11.30PM Walk the dogs (well, Nat does) and prepare for the morning. Then it’s off to bed. Yes!

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TRAVEL

ONCE UPON A TIME THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE ORDESA Y MONTE PERDIDO PARQUE NACIONAL IS THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

By Carol Moran

D

eep in the Aragonese Pyrenees lies an area of natural wonder so breathtaking it seems to have jumped straight out of a fairytale: the Ordesa y Monte Perdido Parque Nacional. Verdant glacial valleys, studded with beech, fir and pine trees, wind their way around snow-capped peaks—the highest of which, Monte Perdido, soars to 3,355 metres. The vivid contrast of electric blues, luscious greens and white mountaintops is so sharp that this Disney-esque scenery comes alive in high definition.

Situated in the province of Huesca, the national park sits in the central Pyrenees along the French border and is part of the Pyrénées-Mont Perdu UNESCO World Heritage Site, which spans the two countries. The Ordesa y Monte Perdido Parque Nacional comprises four valleys and a central limestone massif, and is divided into three sections: Ordesa (west), Añisclo (south) and Escuaín (east).

Torla, a small town located three kilometres south of the park’s south-west border, is one of the more popular gateways to it.

During peak times, no vehicles are allowed into the national park itself, and shuttle buses are provided from the surrounding towns.

Strict codes of conduct within the park safeguard this exceptionally beautiful place, keeping it litter-free and spotless, with many outstanding, yet accessible hiking routes. Late spring is the ideal time to visit the region, as the snow melts, fresh ice-cold water surges down the mountains and honeysuckle, primroses and irises are in bloom.

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COLA DE CABALLO HIKE The 17.5-kilometre return route leading to the Cola de Caballo (horsetail) waterfall is the most popular hike in the area. It encapsulates all the park’s natural highlights and can be completed in one day with a little motivation. The paths are in good condition and there are no specific technical challenges, although the hike is considered moderately difficult due to its length—it takes six to seven hours to complete (approximately three hours each way).

The hike starts at Pradera de Ordesa and follows the GR-11 path up through the Ordesa Valley along the banks of the Arazas river, until it reaches the Circo de Soaso—an amphitheatre-like basin surrounded by steep walls of rock—where the waterfall is located.

The first part of the hike is varied, passing through pine and beech forests and meadows. Each twist, turn and rise in elevation brings a change in scenery, as the immense beauty of this deep glacial valley reveals itself. Gushing waterfalls provide ample spots to stop and take in the view, such as the Mirador Cascada del Estrecho or the Gradas de Soaso—a series of natural pools that step down the mountainside.

Following the ascent alongside the Gradas de Soaso, the Faja de Pelay path flattens out as it crosses the wide mountain plains of the grand cirque. Here, ice-cold water cascades down through limestone crevices and snowy peaks seem almost within reach as the path finally leads to the Cola de Caballo. The waterfall itself is beautiful, but no more impressive than the many others encountered en route;

this hike is more about the journey than the destination.

The hike follows the same route down, although it is possible to take a slight detour at the Puente de Arripas, where the path crosses over to the south bank of the river Arazas for the final stretch back to Pradera de Ordesa.

MOUNTAIN LIFE The national park is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna that evolve and change with the altitude. The valley floors are carpeted with beech, silver fir and Scots pine woods. Willow, birch and ash trees line the banks of the icy rivers, which abound with trout, desmans and the Pyrenean brook salamander. Higher up, marmots and herds of chamois deer roam the subalpine meadows, while at the uppermost reaches, only the snow finch, the alpine accentor and the ptarmigan are able to withstand the harsh climate.

With more than 1,500 species of Pyrenean flora, Ordesa y Monte Perdido is like an immense botanical garden, where common species exist alongside others that are endemic to this mountain terrain, such as the Pyrenean honeysuckle and the bear’s ear primrose.

There is also plenty of wildlife to keep an eye out for: four fish, seven amphibian, 13 reptile, more than 50 mammal and 80 nesting bird species have been catalogued in the region. These include the Pyrenean frog, the golden eagle and the lammergeier, an endangered vulture species that feeds on bone and cartilage, among many others.

10 SPECIES TO LOOK OUT FOR SCOTS PINE

PYRENEAN COLUMBINE

BEAR’S EAR

ALPENROSE

SALAMANDER

MARMOT

ALPINE CHOUGH

PTARMIGAN

LAMMERGEIER

FAUNA

FLORA

BEECH

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AÍNSA Situated at the confluence of the rivers Ara and Cinca in the foothills of the Pyrenees, the medieval hilltop town of Aínsa keeps a watchful eye over the surrounding countryside and makes a good base from which to explore the mountains beyond.

Once the capital of the Kingdom of Sobrarbe, which later became part of Aragon in the 11th century, the beautiful historic centre of Aínsa is a splendid example of medieval construction. Narrow streets of stone-built houses unwind into the extensive porticoed Plaza Mayor, presided over by the Romanesque church of Santa María, which dates from the 11th century.

Just west of the square are the remnants of the 11th-century castle, built to defend the town against the Moors and later adapted as part of the defensive system along the French border.

During the eighth century, Aragon marked the northern boundary of Al-Andalus, although it’s not clear whether Aínsa itself was conquered by the Moors. Legend has it that the Christian troops, led by King Garcí Ximénez, saw a vision of a burning cross on top of a holm oak tree that drove them to victory in the year 724.

To commemorate this, the town celebrates a local festival every two years in September called La Morisma, when the Plaza Mayor becomes the scene of a dramatic reenactment of the battle.

Besides the charming architecture, Aínsa’s spectacular natural surroundings also add to its wonder, located on a hilltop surrounded by three natural parks (Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Sierra y Cañones de Guara and Posets-Maladeta). Breathtaking views cause visitors to pause at almost every turn throughout the town, framed by stone archways and medieval facades that are eminently photogenic.

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DAY TRIP

MONTSERRAT THERE’S MORE TO SEE THAN A MONASTERY AT THIS PILGRIMAGE SITE

By Paul Cannon

L

ess than an hour from Barcelona, Montserrat is one of Spain’s most important pilgrimage sites, inspiring kings, popes and commoners alike to don the goat’s hair underwear and traipse up the mountain to seek the blessing of the Black Virgin (‘La Moreneta’). The monastery—with its stillactive Benedictine order of 80 monks—is worth a visit in and of itself, with its cable car rides, walking trails and an impressive art museum. But what about the rest of this rocky range? With underground caves at the pretty village of Collbató and beauty spots on every side of the mountain, as well as several excellent rural eateries, there are numerous reasons to embark on a day trip to Montserrat besides the monastery.

LUNCH AT MASIA CAN FONT ________________________________ A bumpy drive down the northern side of the mountain brings you to the meadows of Marganell, where this medieval masía awaits. A stone’s throw from the abandoned 11thcentury hermitage of Sant Esteve, with a lovely panorama of the northern aspect of Montserrat, the farmhouse is full of atmospheric nooks and serves delicious local produce, including a highly recommended paella menu for just over €27 euros per person. (masiacanfont.cat)

SANTA CECÍLIA DE MONTSERRAT With its humble bell tower, petit, rounded apses and blind window arches, the Romanesque chapel of Santa Cecília gives us a good idea what the original Montserrat abbey might have looked like a thousand years ago. If you come to Santa Cecília on a weekend morning, you can visit the interior, which features a permanent exhibition of Irish artist Sean Scully’s work. There’s also a lovely walk through the arboretum in the fields below the church to a small pier over the edge of the mountain with fetching views towards the Pyrenees.

COLLBATÓ: SALTPETER CAVES To really feel at one with the mountain, you can gain access to its interior via the ancient village of Collbató, perched on meadows to the south of the range. A short walk from the La Salut hermitage is a portal into the mountain itself, with a trail some 500 metres in length leading through a landscape of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. There are morning and afternoon tours on weekends for €7.50 per person. (covesdemontserrat.cat)

Photo by Josep Bracon

MONTSERRAT’S ROCK FORMATIONS From the arboretum at Santa Cecília you can also quietly enjoy views of Montserrat’s distinctive rock formations, without the crowds of tourists that swarm around the monastery. Montserrat’s famous ‘finger’ rocks—geological curiosities that have inspired many Catalan artists and poets, including Gaudí himself—are essentially turrets of dried mud and sand that were once at the bottom of a lake and were thrust up into the air when the Balearic continent was submerged into the sea at the end of the Mesozoic Era. The lake was flushed out and the sediment on its bed was pushed towards the heavens, where, exposed to the elements, it slowly eroded over many millennia. As water flowed down through the mountain, it caused the dried sediment to wrinkle and fall away, leaving the inimitable crags we see today.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

SPOONIK CLUB TWO TOP CHEFS CREATE THE ULTIMATE HOME DINING EXPERIENCE

By Sam Zucker

S

poonik began as a clandestine supper club four years ago in the Plaça Lesseps home of chefs Jon Giraldo and Jaime Lieberman, and eventually evolved into an official restaurant in nearby Sant Gervasi. Giraldo and Lieberman, from Colombia and Mexico respectively, have gone on to be recognised as two of the most innovative chefs in the city, and have recently returned to their roots, once again opening their home—now dubbed the Spoonik Club—to the public. At this elegant and theatrical supper club, reservations are mandatory and operating hours vary.

The day before our Tuesday evening dinner, I received a text message telling me to be at a specific address in Plaça Lesseps at 9pm sharp. We rang the bell at 9.01pm and before the door could be opened, Giraldo appeared from around the corner of the building in his street clothes. He was instantly recognisable by his distinctive shaved head, mutton chop sideburns, stylised mustache and tightly-cropped goatee. We had never met him in person, but we were soon to discover that his eccentric and edgy appearance perfectly complements his flamboyant character.

Lieberman wasn’t present the night of our dinner, which

began with welcome glasses of champagne in the verdant garden entrance to the house. The Spoonik sommelier chatted with us briefly before Giraldo made his first official appearance, greeting the 14 guests for the nine-course meal that would continue until 1.30am. After telling the story of Spoonik and describing how he and his business partner’s backgrounds led to the ‘creative Latin cooking’ concept that defines it, we were ushered inside to our assigned seats to begin the feast.

Spoonik Club is a home with a single, open space and an open kitchen to one side. Strung lights dangle from the high ceiling, and an eclectic collection of artwork—from kitsch to classical—adorns the walls, each piece either a meaningful momento from the chefs’ lives or a gift from friends and customers. A framed painting of Luz Marina Zuluaga, the first ever Colombian to be named Miss Universe in 1958, takes pride of place. Giraldo tells us it’s a family heirloom. In the corner sits an upright piano and a host of other instruments. They were played for us throughout the night by a talented multi-instrumentalist whose musical compositions were chosen to reflect the theme of each course—from lounge-style piano during our entrance to spritely plucking of the Andean charango

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(a stringed instrument in the lute family) while we savoured our trout ceviche with ginger leche de tigre, sweet potato purée, choclo, trout roe and fragrant leaves of huacatay.

The menu progressed from smaller bites to more substantial plates, though none of the food felt paltry nor overly filling. The balance and pacing were perfect, and four and a half hours seemed to fly by. The room was so dark I couldn’t even read the menu when we first sat down, but as the meal began, the lights came up and the ambient piano music transitioned into uplifting live guitar playing, ushering us into an unforgettable evening.

The first dish, a crispy, bite-sized taco filled with black beans, peanut sauce, pasilla chillies and dried tomatoes, was served with the ‘Cocktail Spoonik’, a mild blend of tequila, pineapple, tajín chilli, peach and lime. The crispy taco is meant to be wrapped in the tender leaves of the accompanying butter lettuce, like a taquito crossed with a Thai spring roll.

The next three dishes formed a great progression, though each was distinct from the last. The Colombian-style fried empanada of beef fillet with spicy ajiaco, avocado cream and fried capers was garnished with a deeply-concentrated jus of black-legged chicken, which was packed with more flavour than I could have imagined and had a superb balance between spicy, fat and salty. It was my first empanada with chicken jus and it might just be the best empanada I have ever had.

Next came the ceviche, followed by a single papalisa (a tuber similar to a fingerling potato), smeared with smoked corvina roe and laid atop a dollop of double cream, reduced down to achieve a staggering level of 90 percent fat. The cream was velvety and luxurious, with a bit of tang that calmed the pungent caviar.

Other dishes, such as the meaty turbot served with guayaba fruit and pine nut vinaigrette, and the complex and earthy chocolate tamale, made for a meal that never felt predictable. With each new pour from the ‘Singulares’ optional wine pairing list (unusual wines from Spain and France), I felt myself settle deeper into utter contentment.

My favourite dish of the evening was definitely the fifth course, the ‘royal’ of suckling Iberian pig topped with a fried oyster and garnished with achiote mayonnaise, chilli oil, coriander and cacao nibs. Paired with an exceptional single-cask Oloroso sherry from the bodega Lustau and heavenly, live opera singing, this delicate dish resembled a sublime custard and gave me goosebumps with the first bite. Perhaps that spoonful of food on its own would not have been so moving, but the wine, the food, the music and the ambiance converged to form an exquisite moment, and I’ve concluded that those types of moments are what Spoonik is all about.

MORE INFO

Pl. Lesseps T. 648 085 209 spoonik.com/#club ✪✪✪✪✪

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

Photos by Rodrigo Stocco, courtesy of Spoonik Club

The balance and pacing were perfect, and four and a half hours seemed to fly by

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PARKING PITA A POCKETFUL OF FLAVOURS

By Sam Zucker

I

QUICK BITES

never would have imagined that the best falafel to pass my lips would have been prepared inside a former parking garage. At Parking Pita, a wood-fuelled pizza oven—shared with the popular Parking Pizza inside a reclaimed interior parking lot—churns out chewy and delicious, slow-fermented pitta bread, ready to be stuffed with various delights from the Arab Levant and devoured at a single, communal table that seats around 20 people.

The intimate dining area of Parking Pita is situated in a narrow space, separated from the larger Parking Pizza, with high ceilings, skylights and parking spaces still painted on the cement floor. At Parking Pita you cannot order pizza, and vice versa, and although the pizza at this now famous spot is excellent, Parking Pizza diners are missing out on flavour-packed dishes such as the roasted cauliflower with curry, thyme, pistachio and Parmesan, and charred leeks dusted with paprika and served fork-tender (calçot lovers will appreciate this similar preparation).

The menu at Parking Pita is simple, which is a beautiful thing. With nine starters (all vegetarian, and a few vegan if you ask them to skip the cheese or egg) and five main courses, founders Marcos Armenteras and Berta Bernat avoid complication.

To allow their kitchen to evolve with the changing seasons and to guarantee the quality of each plate, the menu revolves around great ingredients and expert use of seasoning.

Photos courtesy of Parking Pita

This might just be the best kebab in Barcelona

MORE INFO

Pg. de Sant Joan 56 T. 93 541 8011 Average price per person: €15

The starters, from the cauliflower and leeks to fresh, herby tabbouleh and smoky, roasted aubergine, are all shareable. The main attraction and namesake of Parking Pita comes in two styles: ‘open’ and ‘closed’ pittas. The closed pittas are pockets of housemade bread, baked in the pizza oven, that are both delicate and durable (no broken pittas and messy hands here). Stuffed with moist and crispy fried falafel or organic, tandoori-style chicken, this popular street food might look familiar to some, but comparing these nuanced pittas to your typical late-night kebab is borderline criminal. There are no mystery meats or health-threatening phosphates in sight, and their artisanal bread puts cardboard pittas, dusty pan turco rolls and austere dürüm wraps to shame.

The ‘open’ pittas are offered with three choices of fillings: roasted aubergine with poached egg, grilled lamb (slow-cooked lamb saddle and leg), or slowcooked veal with ras el hanout spice and curry. Made with care, served with style and topped with pickled onions and cucumbers, tahini and yoghurt sauces, coriander and rocket leaves, and spicy harissa paste (little touches that go a long way)—this might just be the best kebab in Barcelona.

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RECIPE

FIG AND OLIVE TAPENADE (SERVES 6)

By Tara Stevens

T

here are so many different types of olives grown in Spain, it seems a shame that we don't do more than plonk them in a dish to serve with nuts or scatter them, almost as an afterthought, through a salad. In Madrid, at the Mercado de Sant Miguel, my favourite stand is La Hora del Vermut, which is dedicated to encurtidos (pickled and preserved products), among them the most sublime gordos (big, fat green olives) skewered together with a pickled boquerón. Combined with a vermut de grifo (on tap) over ice with a slice of orange, it is possibly the most perfect aperitif on earth. In Barcelona, I buy these same olives from La Boqueria and make my own to serve with drinks, or, if I want something more substantial, I make a vat of this tapenade to serve at the start of a casual lunch or supper party. It’s essential to taste the olives before you make the tapenade—avoid any that are too bitter, and buy them with stones for the best flavour (it's easy enough to remove them by splitting the olive in half with your fingers and pinching out the stone). If you make a big batch, the tapenade will last at least a couple of weeks in the fridge.

IN SEASON

MAY GARLIC, RED PEPPERS, TOMATOES, RADISHES, RASPBERRIES, STRAWBERRIES, CHERRIES

INGREDIENTS 250 g black olives, destoned 250 g green olives, destoned 150 g dried figs, soaked in hot water 2-3 cloves garlic, finely grated

2-3 tbsp capers (to taste) 150 ml olive oil Splash of sherry vinegar Handful of fresh mint, freshly julienned

METHOD 1.

2.

3.

4.

Blitz everything, minus the mint, together in a food processor.

Check for seasoning, adding more oil or vinegar as desired.

When satisfied with the balance of flavours, stir in the julienned mint, which will lift the tapenade and give it a refreshing brightness.

Serve piled high on top of crunchy, garlic-rubbed toast or with vegetable crudités—thick slices of radish work particularly well— accompanied by a cool glass of cava.

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

GOVINDA4BARRI 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.

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

TOTORA4EIXAMPLE

LA VIETNAMITA4 SANT ANTONI/GRÀCIA/BORN

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.

Inspired by Vietnamese street food, La Vietnamita serves light and nutritious dishes, such as traditional pho soup, savoury rice noodles and fresh Vietnamese rolls—all of which have a vegetarian/ vegan option. Prices are reasonable, and La Vietnamita Sant Antoni has a special area for private groups and events.

Sant Antoni. Comte Borrell 85 I Tel. 93 832 4483 Gràcia. Torrent de l’Olla 78 I Tel. 93 518 1803 Born. Comerç 17 I Tel. 93 310 0961 Instagram @lavietbcn Facebook La Vietnamita

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

LOIDI RESTAURANT 4EIXAMPLE

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.

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

IN

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

FONDA ESPAÑA4 BARRI GÒTIC

CAFÉ MENSSANA4 CIUTAT VELLA

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.

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.

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

Food & drink May18.indd 44

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NEFW &D IN

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

4/24/18 3:35 PM

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

MANNÀ GELATS4 BARRI GÒTIC 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

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

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

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

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

NATA LISBOA4EIXAMPLE Heir to one of the most delicious confectionary recipes in the world that spans two centuries, NATA was born to produce and spread the most deliciously sweet tastes from Lisbon to the four corners of the world. Pay them a visit to try their portuguese specialities and their sublime coffee blend.

Mallora 277 I natalisboa.com www.facebook.com/NATALisboaESPANA

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

Food & drink May18.indd 45

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

4/24/18 3:36 PM

HEALTH &BEAUTY

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.

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

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.

Doctor for Adults

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

73-76 Health APR18.indd 43

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.

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

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

Mary D. McCarthy - DOCTOR

Eugenia Espinosa - ENGLISH SPEAKING PSYCHOLOGIST

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.

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

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

Dr Bassas - DERMATOLOGY

Hestía - PSYCHOTHERAPY

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.

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.

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

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

FREE CONSULTATION

4/24/18 12:57 PM

Turo Park- MEDICAL AND

Orthoestetic - DENTIST

Platinum Provider

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.

DENTAL CENTER

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

Francesc Perez Cabrero 19-21 08021 T. 93 252 9 729 contact@turoparkmedical.com www.turoparkmedical.com

Turó Park Medical Center is an international practice in Barcelona for foreign residents, tourists and locals alike. Its team of 15 dental and medical specialists speaks fluent English.

Opened in 2017 by resident orthodontist Dr. Madeleine Smit, the centre already has 900 affiliated patients. Its prevention service includes general health checkups, and it accepts reimbursement policies of more than 200 insurance companies.

Dra. Susana Campi -

Goldie Uttamchandani -

DENTIST

LIFE, BUSINESS AND YOUTH COACH

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.

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.

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

READER OFFER

Dr. Boj - DENTIST

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

Emma Ruiz GESTALT THERAPIST

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.

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

Dr. Alistair Gallagher 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.

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

73-76 Health APR18.indd 44

Are you ready to thrive?

I can help you with . . .

• Relationship issues • Grief / Loss • Feeling stuck • Finding your life purpose • Reconnecting with yourself Don’t wait any longer to be the best version of you

FREE CONSULTATION UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH

Còrsega 218 M. 659 126 877 emma@gestalttherapyinbarcelona.com www.gestalttherapyinbarcelona.com

Konstantina Karas HOMEOPATHY, EAR ACUPUNCTURE 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. 655 666 618 konstantina@nyhomeopath.com www.nyhomeopath.com

4/24/18 12:57 PM

Barcelona Quiropractic 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.

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’.

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

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

- CHIROPRACTOR

Kamen B. Petrov - PSYCHOTHERAPIST Kamen is an experienced Jungian Psychotherapist, Lecturer and Psychologist, Member of the British Psychological Society, Professor at Metáfora Barcelona. He works with individuals, couples, children and families and offers supervision to psychotherapists. To learn more or to book a free introductory session, please visit his website.

The Vital Touch - MASSAGE The Vital Touch help people to focus better and feel re-energised. They come to your office or event and set up their ergonomic chairs, which you can relax into comfortably and fullyclothed for an effective energising massage. You emerge 20 minutes later with increased vitality and all tensions released.

M. 603 490 498 www.InnerWisdomQuest.com

Mind & Soul Barcelona - INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF DEPTH PSYCHOTHERAPISTS 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, offering individual and couple psychotherapy with flexible hours and affordable fees adjusted to individual income. Visit their website for more information or to book a session. www.mindandsoul.world

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

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.

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

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

Emma Axelsson - THERAPIST & COACH 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

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

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

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

Yoga con Gracia - YOGA

Tàctum - HAIR SALON

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.

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.

www.yogacongracia.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

73-76 Health APR18.indd 45

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

4/24/18 12:58 PM

BUSINESS SERVICES

Spain AccountingTAX & BuSInESS SErVIcES 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

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

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

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

See our online directory at

www.barcelona-metropolitan.com

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READER OFFER

Klev & Vera -

Barcelona Accounting -

LAW FIrM

BuSInESS SErVIcE

This firm specialises in attending to the legal needs of international clients in Spain. They have multilingual team of lawyers with international backgrounds, specialising in different areas of legal practice including: • Real Estate • Business Set Up • Spanish Residence • Family Law • Litigation • Tax Planning

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.

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

READER OFFER

Sánchez Molina -

NIE Barcelona

LEGAL PRACTICE

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

M. 603 209 403 info@niebarcelona.com www.niebarcelona.com

BCN Seguros - InSurAncE

Barcelona Women’s Network - NONPROFIT

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.

Supported charities 2016 - 2018

77-80 Business APR18 .indd 43

- BuSInESS

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.

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.

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

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

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 membership@bcnwomensnetwork.com

president@bcnwomensnetwork.com www.bcnwomensnetwork.com

4/24/18 3:39 PM

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”.

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

Yan Pekar - PHOTOGRAPHER 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.

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

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

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

Coccinelle - PRIVATE STAFF 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.

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

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

Handyman - HOME SERVICES

Oak House - SCHOOL

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.

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’.

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

77-80 Business APR18 .indd 44

Fábrica de Flyers - BuSInESS

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

Yacht Point Barcelona

Geo Mac - COMPUTERS

- Online navigation theory courses and 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.

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

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.

T. 93 004 5707 info@yachtpointbcn.com yachtpointbcn.com/en/ryatrainingcentre/

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

4/24/18 3:39 PM

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

Spanish with Angeles -

FREE TRIAL CLASS

LAnGuAGE Do you want to speak Spanish well?

With Angeles, you can make incredible progress in your language learning, becoming a confident speaker with a solid understanding of grammar and good writing and reading skills. Angeles’ lessons focus on conversation and are tailored to every student’s individual needs.Angeles is a professional, native Spanish-speaking tutor with more than 12 years of experience, who believes in the importance of providing custommade materials and guidance. Her personalised lessons are the most effective way to help students reach their goals.

M. 647 626 487 info@spanishwithangeles.es www.spanishwithangeles.es

Corsa International - DRIVING SCHOOL Corsa driving school offers theoretical classes and practical driving lessons in English. Their experienced instructors will give you the confidence to drive comfortably in Barcelona and help you learn about Spanish road systems. They have both manual and automatic practice vehicles.

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

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDIO

Gran via de Gracias, 266, 08022 T: 934885221 international@autoescuelacorsa.com www.autoescuelacorsa.com

BritSat - SATELLITE TV Missing out on British TV? Not to worry. With their latest equipment, extensive experience and fantastic aftersales 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

CiberVirreina - COMPUTER SERVICE

#mrsqdesignstudio Mrs.Q Design Studio - GRAPHIC DESIGN 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.

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

77-80 Business APR18 .indd 45

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

4/24/18 3:39 PM

COACHING COLUMN

SAM SAYS...

LISTEN UP! Dear Sam, Someone told me the other day that I’m a terrible listener. They said I cut people off mid-sentence and don’t listen to everything they have to say. I’m almost 30 and this is the first time that anyone has said this to me, yet I worry that it’s been happening my entire life. I wonder how many situations I’ve botched or opportunities I’ve ruined because of it.

No one likes to be cut off when they’re speaking and, more importantly, people don’t like to feel as if the other person isn’t listening. Do you have any advice for how to listen better and stop myself from ruining any more conversations?

Thanks in advance, Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut

Hi Can’t Keep My Mouth Shut, Firstly, I think that you’re being a bit hard on yourself.

It’s true that no one enjoys conversations where they can’t get a word in edgeways, but if this is the first person who’s mentioned it in 30 years, it probably doesn’t happen all the time. I’m sure there are times when you have been able to keep your mouth shut.

This, however, is an extremely important topic, as 98 percent of us do not listen properly. Before delving into tips for how to improve your listening skills, try to take note of how often you interrupt people and examine your triggers: what prompts you to interject?

The only way to stop interrupting others is to first notice when you’re doing it. So, next time you’re having a conversation with someone, check in with yourself every few minutes and see how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking.

• Do you have an overwhelming urge to talk over the person?

• Are you really listening to what they’re saying or just waiting until you can say your piece?

66. Coaching.indd 6

The other thing you can do is tell the person you’re speaking to that you’re working on interrupting less and ask them to call you out on it if they notice it. We progress 90 percent faster when we tell people what aspects of ourselves we’re working on, rather than trying to make changes in a vacuum. Here are a few tips on how to be an overall better listener:

2. Ask questions. This might seem obvious, but the best way to listen is to ask questions, because you can’t ask questions if you’re not actually listening to someone. Play a game with yourself and enter into your next conversation deciding to only ask questions.

See what it’s like and more importantly, see how the other person reacts and responds to you.

3. Hold the space. People want to be acknowledged, heard and validated. So, the next time someone comes to you asking to talk or vent about something, let them speak and let them know that you hear them.

We often feel that we have to come back at people with great insights or intelligent advice when the most effective form of support is being able to hold that space for someone to talk, reflect and be heard.

By Ben Rowdon

SCOOP

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

1. Let it pass. In every conversation there comes a point when we want to dive in. We want to respond to something that was said and give our opinion. We become so fixated on what we want to say that we stop listening to the rest of the conversation. The next time this happens, whatever it is that you think is so important for you to say, let it pass. Let the thought float by and refocus on the conversation. It’s extremely likely that once you continue listening, the person speaking will say something else that you’ll think is even more important to comment on or make what you originally wanted to add irrelevant.

4/24/18 12:56 PM

SPINYOGA TOGETHER

STAY

TOGETHER RECEIVE TWO BUDDY PASSES WITH THE PURCHASE OF ANY CLASS PACKAGE

TRAVESSERA DE GRACIÀ 209 JOANIC - LINEA 4 +34 684 392 383

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A new concept store in the heart of Barcelona www.caroylina.com

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Carrer de Mallorca 243, Local 2

931 571 614

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