Barcelona Metropolitan Issue 257

JUNE 2018 Nยบ 257

RETHINK WHAT

YOU DRINK WATER QUALITY IN BARCELONA

SUMMERTIME CINEMA SEASONAL FILM FESTIVALS

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND DISCOVERING GARRAF

CELEBRATE PRIDE LGBTI NIGHTLIFE

PLUS! ART 01 cover.indd 2

MUSIC

BEST OF

NEW IN TOWN

STARTUP

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

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CONTENTS

ISSUE 257 · JUNE 2018

IN THE CITY

16 REPORT: ON TAP

Rachel Huffman takes a closer look at the quality of Barcelona’s tap water

06 New in town 09 Five things 10 A place of my own 12 Best of 15 History

31 FESTIVAL FLICKS

Summer on the silver screen

32 GARRAF MASSIF

WHAT’S ON

Beach, mountains and meditation

20 23 24 26 28

Music Art review Art Calendar Misc

WORKING LIFE 35 Startup of the month 36 A day in the life

FOOD & DRINK 38 Restaurant review 40 Quick bites 42 Recipe

EMELI SANDÉ P.20

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 Sales Assistant Charlotte Meesters Business Manager Marina Piegari Editorial Assistants Isabel Cocker, Gemma Macmillan-Fox, Marie Martin, Alison McMenemy, Natalia QuirosEdmunds Design Assistant Anna Baxter Contributors Natalie Donback, Catherine Howley, Sam Mednick, Will Shank, Tara Stevens, Sam Zucker Illustrator Ben Rowdon Photographer Isabel Cocker Cover illustration Anna Baxter 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

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

RACHEL HUFFMAN Originally from St. Louis, Rachel Huffman studied writing, literature and publishing in Boston. In 2012, she moved to Barcelona to teach English, travel and write. Travel has always been a part of her life, from trekking around the US for gymnastics to gallivanting around Europe when she studied abroad.

Barcelona has proven to be an inspiration. She sees a future for herself here, writing for local blogs and publications, and continuing to explore the city and beyond.

TARA STEVENS Tara Stevens is a food writer and cookery teacher based between Barcelona and Fez. She contributes regularly to a number of international publications, among them Conde Nast Traveler, the The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and specialist food lovers bible, FOOL, and is currently working on a new title, The Courtyard Kitchen, which takes traditional Moroccan recipes and spins them into an exotically modern approach to home cooking.

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SOFIA Be So CELEBRATE THE FLAVOURS OF SUMMER

T

he SOFIA Be So restaurant at the SOFIA Hotel, the newly renovated design hotel on Avenida Diagonal, presents its imaginative spring menu, a gastronomic delight for all the senses.

Using the freshest local ingredients, reimagined through innovative culinary techniques, the dishes are a delicate combination of clean flavours and citric aromas.

“Be Senses” is the title of the restaurant’s gastronomic concept and sees classic dishes from the SOFIA hotel reinterpreted

using

new

techniques,

flavours

and

presentation methods over two different tasting menus, “5 Senses” and “7 Senses”. These menus include an aperitif and either five or seven dishes which highlight the use of the all the senses in tasting, using local ingredients and a Josper grill to enhance their seasonal tastes and aromas. The menus can be accompanied by an innovative wine pairing designed by famous sommelier Francois Chartier and inspired by the Caja de los aromas (box of aromas).

Iván Cruz, the executive chef of SOFIA Be So, and restaurant manager Marta Canet also present the restaurant’s spring á la carte menu. The globally influenced dishes include fried snakelock anemones, served with a sea urchin and miso sauce prepared using products from Llançá on the Costa Brava, and contrasts smokey flavours with fresh touches of lime. Other plates include a twist on the Catalan favourite of habas y guisantes (broad beans, peas and bacon) using black pudding and a ravioli of Iberian ham, and scallops with smoked cauliflower puree and a pistachio vinaigrette.

The varied menu presents plenty of options for seafood lovers and meat eaters alike, taking advantage of Barcelona’s proximity to the sea and to the mountains. Highlights include a confit of cod with Mara chickpeas, served with pig-ear broth and a plum alioli; suckling lamb with roasted aubergine, red miso and goats cheese presented in a smoke-filled cloche; grilled squid a lo Pelayo; and suckling pig with textures of apple.

The traditional desserts embrace light flavours, touches of fruit and an international twist. Catalan favourite torrija (bread pudding) is served with a South American-inspired tonka bean ice cream, and raspberry mousse is accompanied by osmotized strawberries and Greek yogurt ice cream.

All of the ice creams are artisanal.

This spring, the restaurant also proposes a special menú del dia, available Monday to Friday. The Be Business experience includes an aperitif, a starter, main and dessert for €49, and has been elaborated following the restaurant’s gastronomic principles. This menu will change every 15 days to adapt to the changing availability of seasonal produce.

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beso@sofiabarcelona.com

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IN THE CITY

new in town

PEACE & ROLLS candela canela. ros de olano 48.  FACEBOOK.COM/CANDELACANELA.ROLLS A sweet smell of cinnamon wafts out onto the street from Candela Canela, a little bakery in Gràcia that specialises in fresh, handmade cinnamon rolls. The young and ambitious owner, Barcelona-born Oriol Inglés, found that his hometown was suffering from a lack of good cinnamon rolls, and threw himself into the world of entrepreneurship at just 22, opening the doors to his pastry-focused project in March this year. The shop’s interior is oriented around a striking, cube-shaped element—reminiscent of a traditional food stall—which acts as a display cabinet, counter and cash register all rolled into one. In the kitchen beyond, Inglés lovingly crafts his range of baked delights; from classic cinnamon to dulce de leche and tiramisu, as well as savoury options such as the bikini roll, which packs in cheese, tomato, ham and oregano.

MORE IS MORE Beluga Bar & Kitchen. gran Via de les corts catalanes 605.  BELUGABCN.COM Located inside the four-star Avenida Palace Hotel, Beluga Bar & Kitchen offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a menu that changes daily. Based on the philosophy of ‘more is more’, Beluga serves up a wide variety of extravagant dishes, from the semi-smoked salmon with house-made piccilli to the spicy broccoli with an egg yolk marinade. Described by the owner, Mayka Torres, as ‘classic with a creative twist’, the restaurant’s interior combines hints of tropical green and gold with elegant, rounded furniture. From behind the impressive golden drinks shelf, guests and visitors alike can enjoy cocktails with influences from around the world, with live music performances every night.

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TASTY MORSELS gloria Bendita. la riereta 15.  GLORIABENDITA.ORG This Km-0 cafe has found a permanent home in the cosy interior of Espai EGG, a collaborative cooking space in the Raval. Hailing from a family of food lovers, founder Alba Lara Valtueña aims to create mouth-watering food whilst limiting damage to the environment: “The enjoyment of eating, tasting and experimenting shouldn’t be at the expense of our planet.” With a focus on sustainability, its Km-0 policy helps boost the local economy and reduces CO2 emissions. All ingredients are seasonal, organic and locally sourced, and packaging is kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary waste. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, the cafe serves a selection of salads, soups and sandwiches, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available.

DIRTY VEGAN Floripa. ariBau 92.  FLORIPA.ES You could walk straight in and order at this eco-hip space without even realising that the food it serves is entirely plant-based. For co-owner Andre Hofman, that’s entirely the point. “We want meat-eating people to have fun here, too,” he commented, looking around the neon-lit interior decorated with lush green ferns, a velvet egg chair and rows of high-quality spirits lined up behind the lime green toucan-tiled bar.

At the all-day restaurant in the Eixample, Hofman and his business partner, Pierre Grenon, present what some might call ‘dirty vegan’ food, such as their best-selling American XXL burger and nachos sin carne, complemented by creative cocktails inspired by the Sixties and Seventies. Although everything on the menu is ethically sourced and 100 percent free from animal products, the restaurant doesn’t radiate standard ‘green and clean’ vibes. Instead, Floripa goes “beyond vegan” to create a fun hangout space where diners can discover that eating vegan doesn’t have to be boring

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FIVE THINGS

TAKE IT OUTSIDE Al fresco fitness fun

1

BEAT YOUR PERSONAL BEST

Founded by Scotsman Alan Urquhart, PB Training is one of Barcelona’s prime English-speaking fitness training groups. A certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, Urquhart has 14 years of professional experience and is passionate about sharing his knowledge. His beach classes (€4-€7) are dynamic group workouts with four different themes: circuit training, abs, fat burn or bootcamp. For those more interested in cardio-focused exercise, join the PB running group which meets four times a week for high intensity interval training sessions (HIIT). Even though Urquhart is known for his tailored advice during group classes, you can also opt for personal training, starting at €50.

2

SPEED DEMONS

If you’re a keen runner, then this one’s for you. Midnight Runners was founded in London by two friends who wanted to beat the British winter blues. Thanks to Meetup, interest blossomed and running crews can now be found in five cities worldwide. Barcelona’s branch is led by 11 passionate volunteers, known as ‘Crew Captains’. The Englishspeaking group starts the week with a 10-kilometre bootcamp, which includes pit stops for push ups, burpees and more, all to the beats of top hits. Sunday sessions are more staminafocused, covering distances between 15 and 30 kilometres.

Membership is completely free and most runs end with a drink or social event. Sign up on the myCrew app.

3

4

PADDLE-FIT

A lover of both Pilates and paddle boarding, Ely Merino Peñas combined her two passions when she opened Pilates SUP & Beach. Offering 19 classes per week, prospective paddle-surfers can choose the level of intensity and which part of the body they would like to target. With more muscle toning than your average fitness class, each 75-minute session (€20) aims to connect mind and body with the calming sea. No previous experience is required and the group meets at the Salt Beach Club.

5

DON’T FIGHT IT

Qi Academia’s Martial Art Health Fighters combine fitness, self-defence and spirituality. Run by Russian Alex Khrapov, Qi Academia introduces the world of martial arts with sessions throughout the week. Wu Shu/ Kung fu sessions and Aikido training take place outside the UB Biblioteca de Filosofia, Geografia i Història in Raval on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, while Khrapov teaches Tai Chi in Ciutadella Park every Sunday at 10am. Boosting energy levels through careful concentration and meditation, the Martial Art Health Fighters will guide you along the journey of this globally revered practice. Ten sessions cost €40, or it’s €39 per month to access the full programme.

TAKE FLIGHT

A mixture of yoga, acrobatics and Thai massage, AcroYoga develops strength, flexibility and trust through a series of static poses and flying manoeuvres.

Growing in popularity around the world, certified UkrainianAmerican teacher Lidiya Ber has started giving weekly classes for all levels at Ciutadella Park. Come along and join this passionate bunch of acroyogis throughout the summer; Sundays 4-6pm for beginners (donation optional) and Mondays 6-8pm for higher levels (€10).

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IN THE CITY

A PLACE OF MY OWN A FORMER POBLENOU INDUSTRIAL SPACE BECOMES A COLOURFUL, IDEA-FILLED HOME

A

converted leather workshop in Poblenou, Svein Aamold and Anna Cabó’s home is a combination of Catalan and Nordic styles, reflecting the relationship between the Norwegian academic and the Catalan researcher. Designed to fit the couple’s lifestyle, the house offers an inspirational retreat where Svein and Anna can live, work and write.

Hard to miss, the house has a bright yellow, double-width front door that stretches up to a semi-circular window on the second storey.

The colourful entryway was something the couple insisted on, and the architects they worked with planned much of the house around it. Made of slatted metal, the door allows light to enter whilst ensuring privacy from the busy street, and opens into a box-like porch. This small hall separates the home from the outside world, where guests can leave their coats and shoes before entering.

Beyond this partition, there are no doors in the house. Instead, the open-plan space uses a variety of paint colours and levels to break up the home into distinct zones, without interrupting the flow of light.

The entryway opens into a hall, which leads into Svein’s workspace, the living room and, further back, to the kitchen and patio. Upstairs, Anna’s office overlooks the street, whilst the couple’s bedroom and bathroom are situated at the back of the house, where they can enjoy the morning sun on their balcony.

Although a previous owner had already attempted to convert the old industrial space into something more liveable, Svein and Anna moved in knowing that the house needed a lot of work. In 2010, they hired architects Victoria Gàrriga and Toño Foraster from AV62, who had a unique approach to creating a space that suited them perfectly. “In our first meeting, Gàrriga talked to us for hours about our lives and our daily habits,” Svein remembered. “She sent us away without talking about architecture at all.” An extremely perceptive designer, Gàrriga customised plans based on ease of living. “We liked nearly every one of her proposals,” he admitted.

One of the architects’ more innovative ideas is the green-painted circulation space that stretches up to the roof. With stairs leading up

to the right, this bright passage unites the two storeys and adds to the light and airy feel of the house.

A few steps lead down to Svein’s workspace, stacked with books, sketches and papers. An art historian who originally moved to Barcelona for research, he still regularly commutes to Tromsø to teach at the Arctic University of Norway and has recently published a book, Sámi Art and Aesthetics: Contemporary Perspectives (2017). His curved writing desk was custom-built by woodworker Jordi Becerro, who constructed almost all of the furniture in the house, including the floating entertainment centre that lines the living room wall. The latter is a vital piece of equipment for Svein to play his collection of more than 2000 CDs, which are arranged neatly in a hidden cupboard under the stairs. “I’m not against Spotify, but with a CD or an LP, you listen to a specific album as a whole, the way the artist intended,” Svein said.

The music fills the tasteful living room, where white-painted brick walls and exposed wooden beams are juxtaposed with a red, retro Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen and a Sixties rosewood coffee table by Anton Kildeberg, both Danish designers.

A partial dividing wall featuring a large, rectangular opening separates the kitchen from the rest of the first floor. The kitchen side of the wall is covered in a giant piece of decorative formica, featuring big circles of earthy tones that add a splash of colour to the otherwise white decor. Produced by graphic designer Jordi Pinós and manufactured in the Basque Country, it was made and transported as a single piece that then had to be put into place like a jigsaw—a painstaking process that led to the piece being remade twice.

“Although Svein is the art critic, the colours were inspired by me and my elaborate vegetarian salads,” laughed Anna.

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

Not only does Anna love colour in her salads, but also in the jewellery she makes in her spare time. Although the couple hadn’t mentioned anything to the architects, Gàrriga noticed that Anna wore a different necklace to every meeting and incorporated special drawers for her beads in the bedroom plans. Apart from these, the bedroom design is simple—wooden accessories and artistic sketches of nudes complement the white walls and exposed ceiling beams.

The rest of the upstairs is dedicated to bookshelves and Anna’s office, where she works on projects for TedxBarcelonaWomen and her own organisation tackling gender issues, La Groc.

Svein moved to Barcelona for his research, but stayed in the city because of Anna and has established a happy home here.

Barcelona offers a unique site for him to work and relax in a space that celebrates his life with his wife. “Barcelona and I go together: Barcelona is an old city, and I am an old man.”

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IN THE CITY

best of

GAY NIGHTLIFE THE CITY’S MOST POPULAR LGBTI-FOCUSED VENUES SAfari Disco Club tarragona 141 safaridiscocLuB.coM

Photo courtesy of Safari Disco

Boasting one of the most varied programmes in Barcelona’s nightlife scene, Safari Disco is home to some of the city’s biggest gay events. The plushly-decorated venue belongs to the Arena Group, and is comprised of two rooms: the ‘Sala Principal’ and the ‘Independent Sound’ room. The former specialises in pop hits, perfect for singing along with friends, while the latter attracts a more alternative crowd, playing remixes, electronic pop and nu disco. Every Saturday, Safari Disco hosts the largest gay night in the city, ‘Ultrapop’, which is usually packed with both locals and tourists.

The event began in Safari’s Madrid venue and plays the best current and classic pop hits. Once a month, Safari hosts ‘Tanga! Party’, a themed night that celebrates the Eighties and Nineties through DJ sets and live performances. Past ‘Tanga’ themes have included Lady Gaga, Rio de Janeiro and Mariah Carey.

Chiringuito BeGay Passeig MarítiM de La Mar BeLLa chiringuitoBegay.coM

Photo courtesy of Chiringuito Begay

This beachside hangout is a perfect place to while the day away under the summer sun. Located on Mar Bella beach, Chiringuito BeGay offers a wide selection of seaside snacks and drinks to be enjoyed alfresco, including mojitos, mediterranean tapas and protein shakes. BeGay features a shaded terrace, a chill-out space on the sand and an exclusive hammock area. Each year, special events are hosted on the beach during August’s Circuit Festival, including a preopening party. The bar is located on the nudist stretch of beach, but visitors can wear as much or as little as they like.

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Arena Madre BaLMes 32 gruPoarena.coM

Open seven days a week, this discoteca is frequented by a younger crowd. Arena Madre is the self-professed ‘mother’ of the Arena Group’s five venues across the city, which host events for the LGBTI community. During July and August, Madre hosts Barcelona’s only foam party every Wednesday, attracting young tourists in search of a good time. The club is also famous for its striptease contests, which are held periodically throughout the year, in addition to drag queen performances, hosted throughout the week.

Museum Bar

sePúLveda 178 faceBook.coM/MuseuM-Music-vídeo-Bar Fabulously over the top, Museum’s kitschy decor attracts heaving crowds every Friday and Saturday night. Popular among those seeking somewhere to chat and dance before heading to a club in the surrounding Eixample area, the music is pure pop, with flat screens on the walls playing a loop of music videos. Museum’s main attraction is its quirky decor, littered with copies of famous artworks, from a Venus de Milo statue to classic Warhol prints, and a handful of Kandinsky spoofs. Its wannabe grandiose vibe is complete with chandeliers over the dancefloor and an antique drinks cabinet behind the bar that houses its colourful collection of spirits.

La Chapelle Muntaner 67

This quirky bar in the Eixample features a wall of crucifixes and religious iconography, reminding patrons, in jest, to repent for their sins. While this seems the more obvious reason for the bar's name, its hot-pink walls and bright decor could also pay homage to the flamboyant work of US photographer, David LaChappelle. Either way, the pint-sized locale has become popular due to its relaxed atmosphere and tongue-in-cheek attitude. At the weekend, hordes of party-goers convene here before heading to the clubs, attracted by reasonable prices and discount coupons for some of Barcelona’s top gay clubs. A favourite among Barcelona’s more alternative crowd, it’s an ideal spot for a catch-up with friends over one of the €5 vodka tonics; just be sure to visit before it gets too busy.

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HISTORY

LOCATION: LA RAMBLA 128

VANISHING ACT

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF ANDREU NIN

“Here on June 16th, 1937, Andreu Nin (1892-1937) was seen by his companions for the final time. Political Secretary of the POUM, a fighter for socialism and freedom, a victim of Stalinism.

His comrades.

Barcelona. June 16th, 1983.”

By Catherine Howley

B

orn in the small town of El Vendrell, Tarragona, Andreu Nin was the son of a shoemaker and a peasant. Despite humble beginnings, Nin moved to Barcelona in 1909 and excelled as an educator and journalist. An interest in activism steered him towards a life in politics, and in 1917 he joined the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE). He soon became a leader of the Spanish workers’ movement and, subsequently, one of the founders of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE).

Inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution, Nin left Spain in 1921 to work for Communism International in the Soviet Union, where he stayed for almost a decade.

Working in the USSR, Nin became disillusioned with Joseph Stalin’s ascending faction and, as a result, joined the Left Opposition against Stalin, working briefly as Leon Trotsky’s secretary in Moscow. It was there that Nin, like Trotsky, became threatened by Stalin’s purges of the Left Opposition, and in 1930 he was expelled from the country.

On returning to Spain, Nin set about forming the Spanish Communist Left (ICE), a small Trotskyist group. In 1935, after several disagreements with his former mentor, Nin split from the Trotskyist ICE and created the POUM, the Marxist Unification Workers’ Party. Still a left-leaning party, the POUM offered an alternative to the Moscow-aligned Spanish Communist Party, being both revolutionary and highly critical of Stalin. It frequently published articles denouncing the atrocities in the USSR, rousing hostility from pro-Stalinist communists in Spain.

This animosity turned violent during the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The POUM was one of several left-wing groups united against Franco on the front line. Behind the lines, however, the POUM faced continuous isolation as Soviet influence over the Spanish Republican government began to grow.

During the ‘May Days’ of 1937, as chronicled in George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia (1938), the POUM were blamed for the street fighting that erupted among left-wing groups in Barcelona. The government declared the POUM an illegal party and the pro-Stalinist Communist parties began a violent campaign against them. On June 16th, 1937, Nin was arrested near La Rambla, and was never to be seen again by his comrades.

The fate of the POUM leader was not revealed until the Nineties when Moscow archives were opened to Spanish researchers for a brief time. A file was found stating that Nin had been handed over to the NKVD (predecessors of the KGB) and tortured to death in a Soviet-controlled encampment outside Madrid.

On June 6th, local historians will be offering free tours about Orwell; his experience in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, involvement with the POUM and connection to Andreu Nin. See page 29 for more information.

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REPORT

ON TAP JUST HOW CLEAN IS BARCELONA’S WATER?

By Rachel Huffman

W

ater is essential for life. Apart from drinking it to survive, we use it to bathe, cook, do the dishes, wash our clothes, grow food and more. But how healthy and safe is the water flowing from our taps in Barcelona?

Many people living in the city choose bottled water over tap water because they think it tastes better and is, therefore, better for them. That said, experts across the board assert that it’s safe to drink. According to the Ministerio de Sanidad (the governmental agency that monitors tap water across the whole country) and Aigües de Barcelona (the private water management group that controls the city’s water), it meets all international standards, including those specified by the European Union and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The majority of Barcelona’s tap water comes from the Llobregat river, which originates in the Serra del Cadí and flows into the sea just south of the city. The river water contains high levels of minerals, including potassium, magnesium and various carbonates, because it crosses an extremely salty region around the municipality of Súria, 75 kilometres north-west of Barcelona. Some water is also sourced from the Ter and Besòs rivers. Aigües de Barcelona is responsible for treating the water and supplying it to the city, as well as 23 other municipalities. It has one of the most complex and advanced water

treatment plants in Europe; the ETAP (Estación de Tratamiento de Agua Potable) in Sant Joan Despí was built in 1955, when the demand for water in Barcelona started to rise. The plant can treat water at a speed of 5.3 cubic metres per second, producing 450 thousand cubic metres of water a day.

Once water is extracted from the rivers, it is transported to silting chambers at the ETAP, where stones and sand are separated out. At the initial disinfection stage, chlorine dioxide is added to the water to oxidise the iron and magnesium it contains. Next, during decantation, particles of mud are deposited at the bottom of the tanks, leaving only clarified water at the top. The water then passes through a filter with sand particles, and undergoes two different processes. The first is a process using ozone and activated carbon filters: ozone triggers the precipitation of certain organic compounds and microorganisms, making it easier to remove them from the water through activated carbon filters. The second stage involves ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis and remineralisation processes. Finally, a chlorination process is carried out to ensure that safe water arrives at every home, without getting infected in the distribution process.

Taking into account the thorough treatment of public water, we should all be grateful that we can get fresh, clean water simply by turning on a tap. But after all that work, why does it still taste bad?

TAPP Water chairman Magnus Jern spent three years researching

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REGAINING CONTROL The push to regain public control over water in Barcelona There is a growing citizens’ movement to remuncipalise Barcelona’s water supply. It is currently controlled and supplied by Aigües de Barcelona (also known as Agbar, a subsidiary of the French-based utility multinational Suez Environment), but many residents would like the local government to regain control from the private sector.

According to the water rights platform Aigua és Vida (aiguaesvida.org), there are a number of justified grievances.

The primary issue is that Barcelona’s water rates are among the highest in Spain, alongside Murcia, Cádiz and Huelva— the platform estimates that rates are a staggering 91.7 percent higher than in neighbouring municipalities.

And, it seems that Aigües de Barcelona may have its work cut out to defend its position. Founded in 1867, it was revealed in 2010 that the company had no formal contract with the metropolitan area, leading to, in one judge’s words, “illegitimate actions” and “illegal rates”. This situation was modified slightly in 2012 when a mixed public/private company was formed, with 15 percent being under public control. The 85 percent private portion was awarded to Agbar, but was not put to public tender. It was also claimed that Agbar significantly overvalued its investments. The questions this raised culminated in a ruling by the Catalan High Court of Justice, which declared the 2012 concession void, re-opening the possibility for the public administration to take back control.

Over 30 groups, including Aigua és Vida and the Barcelona Neighbourhood Association, are running a grassroots movement to get residents involved. Earlier this year they collected over 25,000 signatures asking the city council for a ‘consultation’ on the issue, and it will be part of a non-binding city-wide vote in the near future. Watch this space.

We should all be grateful that we can get fresh, clean water simply by turning on a tap.

But...why does it still taste bad?

Barcelona’s water in order to design and produce an effective, affordable and sustainable tap and shower filter. He explained that the water in Barcelona is extremely ‘hard’, containing a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. “The amount of calcium and other mineral content in water is based on the kind of stone where the water originates,” Jern said. “Generally, the stone that runs along the coast has the mineral content that results in hard water, which is why cities skirting the Mediterranean have to use more chlorine to disinfect their public water, which in turn means that it doesn’t taste good.”

Since taste is the main reason why so many people here are fixated on drinking bottled water, it’s worth exploring different water filtration systems on the market. The simplest way to get rid of the chlorine in Barcelona’s tap water is to leave a jug of unfiltered water in the fridge overnight. Typically, between 80 and 90 percent of the chlorine will evaporate in 12 to 24 hours. A common option in Spain is the Brita water filter jug. These jugs use a filtering mechanism that consists of activated carbon and ion-exchange resin. The former removes substances that affect taste, such as chlorine, while the latter reduces carbonate hardness, copper and lead. The filters need to be changed approximately every two months.

“The next most popular filtration method in Spain is reverse osmosis,” Jern said. Reverse osmosis uses a filter, which normally consists of four units, that you put under the sink. Depending on the supplier, the installation can cost up to €400, plus a monthly fee to replace the filters.

Jern's own system, TAPP 1, attaches to the tap itself and is more accessible, priced at €75 for the filter and a year’s worth of replacement cartridges. It removes at least 70 chemicals and reduces the effects of more than 50 others, such as chlorine, heavy metals and pesticides, while allowing healthy minerals to remain.

Although you can use water filters to make your drinking water taste better, Aigües de Barcelona says that they’re not necessary.

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When it comes to showering, however, it seems there are some potential issues. A hot, steamy shower opens the pores of the skin and allows for accelerated absorption of chlorine and other chemicals found in our water. In addition, the steam we inhale while showering contains much higher levels of chlorine than tap water because chlorine—and most other contaminants—vaporises at a lower temperature than water. Inhalation, therefore, is a more harmful means of exposure; the chlorine gas we inhale enters the bloodstream directly and can irritate the sensitive tissue and bronchial passages inside our lungs, and is a suspected cause of asthma and bronchitis, especially in children. When we drink contaminated water, on the other hand, the toxins are partially filtered out by our kidneys and digestive system.

Showering with chlorinated water can also have a negative effect on skin and hair, robbing them of their moisture and elasticity.

It is especially detrimental for people suffering from pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. According to the US Energy Protection Agency (EPA), “Chlorine by-products [trihalomethanes, or THMs, formed when chlorine combines with other natural compounds in our water] trigger the production of free radicals in the body, causing cell damage”.

To counter the negative effects of bathing in chlorinated water, it is possible to install filtering systems at the point of use (i.e. specific

taps and showers) or at point of entry for the whole house. Point of use filters are often installed for washing machines, baths and showers and can be bought at hardware shops for around €50. These filters contain activated carbon and a formulation called Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF), which uses a chemical process known as redox (oxidation/reduction) that removes chlorine, lead, mercury, iron and hydrogen sulphide from the water. Point of entry systems act as a central filtration system for the entire home, a solution that covers all potential issues. It may also prolong the life of domestic appliances by reducing the build-up of limescale—a common problem in hard water areas. These systems, not surprisingly, are significantly more expensive.

So, where does all this leave the average Barcelona resident, who likes to drink tasty water but doesn’t want to add to the world’s ever-increasing plastic problem? Well, your water is safe to drink and if you pop it in the fridge overnight, all the better. If you want to lessen the impurities in your glass of H2O then you may want to invest in one of the filter options. And, for safer bathing, either keep your morning showers cool and brisk or invest in a point of use filter. With more and more global initiatives working to decrease humankind’s plastic footprint, the tide is definitely turning to tap, and the solutions are plentiful. With just a small investment you can go plastic-free and let it flow.

3 REASONS

TO DRINK TAP WATER Most countries and cities in Europe and North America have tap water that’s safe to drink, whether filtered or unfiltered

1. TAP WATER IS AS HEALTHY AS BOTTLED WATER Aigües de Barcelona is currently responsible for delivering clean drinking water all the way from the rivers to your glass and performs daily quality tests based on the EU Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC). If you still aren’t convinced, check the quality of water on your street at www. aiguesdebarcelona.cat/ca/analitica-mes-recent-de-la-teva-aigua.

2. SAVE MONEY While prices for most bottled water in Barcelona are cheap, tap water (even filtered water) is cheaper still. The cost of tap water is typically less than 1/300 of bottled water, while the cost of filtered water—taking into account the cost of the filter and replacements throughout the year—is less than 1/20 of bottled water, depending on the volume of consumption.

3. BETTER FOR THE PLANET When you buy a litre of your favourite bottled water, imagine pouring six other litres down the sink before you even take a sip. Then picture a quarter of that crystal clear bottle, with an idyllic mountain scene invariably plastered across its label, filled with crude oil. That, according to the Marine Conservation Society—part of a global collaboration of environmental campaigners determined to end our love affair with bottled water—is what it takes to produce the bottle in your hand. Spain sends more plastic to landfill sites than most other European countries: the amount grew by four percent between 2012 and 2016, while across Europe it fell by 20 percent during the same period. In landfills, plastics break down into microplastics, which seep into the groundwater, rivers and eventually into seas and oceans.

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music THE SHOW MUST GO ON

QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT. PALAU SANT JORDI. PASSEIG OLÍMPIC 5-7. JUNE 10TH. Rock legend Freddie Mercury died in 1991, leaving Queen without their charismatic frontman. After performing with other artists for almost 20 years, none of whom could quite fill the legend’s shoes, a contestant on American Idol happened to catch guitarist Brian May’s eye. Adam Lambert, a vocalist trained for musical theatre, displays the same charisma on stage as his idol. His voice, with a three-octave range, is perfectly matched to the mastery needed for the band’s hit songs, such as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Will Rock You’. According to May, rather than being just a replacement for Mercury, Lambert has “become one of us, one of the family… he is an extraordinary singer with an extraordinary presence”. May and original Queen drummer Roger Taylor officially started working with Lambert in 2011, and the new group have since rocked out together on a European tour and two World tours, as well as performing at many festivals and events.

STAR WRITER

EMELI SANDÉ. JARDINS DE PEDRALBES. AV. DIAGONAL 686.

JUNE 27TH. Emeli Sandé knew that music was the only career for her, but not necessarily as a singer. A songwriter from the age of 11, the British artist made a name for herself by penning songs for stars such as Cheryl Cole, Professor Green and Tinie Tempah.

Despite her growing fame as a writer for others, she continued to work on music for her own voice as she “never thought it was an option to sing anyone else’s songs”. After signing a record deal with EMI Records, her first album, Our Version of Events (2012), reached number one in the UK charts, staying in the Top 10 for 66 consecutive weeks. Her poetic lyrics speak of equality and justice, a message that she also spreads through frequent charity campaigns, such as Elton John’s AIDS Foundation and Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.

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UPTOWN FUNK

BRUNO MARS. ESTADI OLÍMPIC LLUÍS COMPANYS. PG. OLÍMPIC 15-17.

JUNE 20TH. Bruno Mars first began his career as a music producer for wellknown artists such as Flo Rida and Sean Kingston. In the late 2000s, he started to appear as a featured artist in various singles, leading to his big break with the release of ‘Nothin’ on You’ by B.o.B and ‘Billionaire’ by Travie McCoy in 2010. Mars’s debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), was met with resounding success, gaining international recognition with his signature mix of retro nostalgia, R&B and funk hints. With his Grammy award-winning second album, Unorthodox Jukebox (2012), Mars cemented his reputation as a showman with the key to mass fandom: eclectic sounds that have both teenagers and baby boomers singing along.

His latest album, 24K Magic (2016), and its current world tour, promise more of the same.

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music

IN CONCERT 4th. Travis Razzmatazz. Pamplona 88.

8th. Pablo Alborán Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

10th. Queen + Adam Lambert Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

14th. Detroit Love Poble Espanyol.

Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 13.

14th-16th. Sónar Fira de Barcelona - Montjuïc and Fira de Barcelona - Gran Via. 19th. Jessie J Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

Av. Diagonal 686.

CALIFORNIA GIRL

20th. Bruno Mars Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Pg. Olímpic 15-17.

KATY PERRY. PALAU SANT JORDI, PASSEIG OLÍMPIC 5-7. JUNE 28TH.

21st. Demi Lovato Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

22nd. Fantasia L’Auditori. Carrer de Lepant 150.

Ten years have passed since Katy Perry made her musical breakthrough with her second studio album, One of the Boys (2008). The Californian pop-rock singer left behind the conservative world of her Christian upbringing with hit singles like ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and ‘Hot N Cold’, becoming an international figure of female empowerment and sexual liberation. With marvellous colours and quirky props, her stage presence is as impressive as her powerful vocals,

making Perry a true pop idol.

Her fourth and most recent album, Witness (2017), steps away from the sweet, uplifting nature of her earlier work, delving further into the crescendos of piano ballads and electro-pop beats. While the album itself has been less of a commercial success, the tour is peppered with classic hits, and the show promises to channel the circus-like spectacle for which Perry is known.

24th. Tom Jones Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

Av. Diagonal 686.

26th. Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band Palau Sant Jordi. Pg. Olímpic 5-7.

27th. Emeli Sandé Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

Av. Diagonal 686.

WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? TOM JONES. JARDINS DE PEDRALBES. AV. DIAGONAL 686. JUNE 24TH. A living musical legend, Tom Jones has stayed relevant since the day he reached number one in the UK records chart with his second single, ‘It’s Not Unusual’ in 1965. Known for his ability to adapt his voice and style to the changing times, the Welsh crooner is as comfortable singing mature jazz and blues in his signature tuxedo today as he was performing topless in Las Vegas as a Sixties icon. Whatever he sings, he wishes to tell a story and connect with the entire audience, stating in an interview that “every song is like a mini movie to me. If I’m not seeing it, I can’t expect other people to.” Knighted in 2006 for his services to music, he continues to delight crowds around the world with his shows, which often cover his full repertoire, from rock and roll to R&B.

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ART REVIEW

NOT SO TRASHY Will Shank reviews ‘Estrato Cero’, an installation by Julia Llerena at the Blueproject Foundation Until July 7th

M

any artists find their inspiration by looking up toward the heavens, à la Michelangelo. Others look downward and discover treasures unnoticed by others. My family and I scour the beaches every summer, returning home with bits of broken cups and saucers, colourful sea glass, bottle caps and fish hooks. We usually fashion these crude bits and bobs into some kind of usable or wearable art, mounting them with big globs of glue onto scraps of painted wood.

Therefore, I am inspired by artists like Madrid-based Julia Llerena, who spent her month-long residency at the Blueproject similarly looking down. As the foundation’s second artist-in-residence, she collected detritus from the streets of Barcelona and reconfigured it into an impressive set of art installations called ‘Estrato Cero’ (‘Layer Zero’), exhibited in the gallery’s front room. The beauty of her work lies in the meticulous presentation of these objets trouvés. Her methodical observation of modern society’s contribution to the top layer of urban archaeology gives us beautiful artwork made up of discarded pieces of contemporary civilisation. The reference to layering in the exhibition’s title highlights the similarities between Llerena’s work and that of an archaeologist, who maps the exact location of where the artefact was discovered within the layers of the Earth’s surface. ‘Estrato 0’, for example, displays dozens of ‘archaeological’ objects across a specially built horizontal surface that occupies almost half of the gallery.

Gooseneck lamps here and there illuminate carefully placed objects whose locations are meticulously archived by the artist. The spotlights force the visitor to closely consider these pieces, as opposed to the many others arranged across the vast surface.

Llerena has fancifully recreated on paper the possible whole objects from which some of the random bits and pieces may have first originated. The titles explain her work, which is both imaginative and thoughtful: ‘Estrato’ (Stratum), ‘Pensamiento’ (Thought), and ‘El Impulso de Archivo’ (The Momentum of Archiving). Whether mounted in regular intervals on plate glass or arranged on archaeological maps of the city, this random selection of objects creates an intoxicating rhythm: screw, glass, hook, ring, gasket, bracelet, hinge, shard, repeat. The pattern of objects in ‘Pensamiento’ actually spells out a hidden message derived from the first letter of the name of each object. (The artist will not reveal the secret.)

This summer, the gallery will live up to its name when a heavy dose of blue is installed in the back room of Blueproject. Prominent artists, such as Warhol, Basquiat and Lucio Fontana, will be represented by works whose primary colour is blue. Yves Klein, who has his own ultramarine pigment named after him will, of course, be represented by a velvety blue Venus de Milo. The ‘salotto’ gallery will present ‘BLUE’ between June 21st and November 4th.

The Blueproject Foundation is a non-profit contemporary art foundation located in the Born. www.blueprojectfoundation.org

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art A HISTORY IN GRAPHICS

© Montxo Algora Compra 2017

DISSENYES O TREBALLES? LA NOVA COMUNICACIÓ VISUAL, 1980-2003.

MUSEU DEL DISSENY. PL. GLÒRIES 37-38. OPENING JUNE 9TH. For decades, Franco’s dictatorship (1939-1975) kept a tight lid on Spanish design. Europe’s design powerhouses were limited to Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany—countries that laid down principles and methodologies for good graphic design that still influence works in the digital age. Following Franco’s death, a cultural revolution took hold of the country, giving rise to an abundance of individualistic graphic designers and studios in Barcelona and across Spain. The new permanent exhibition at El Museu del Disseny, commissioned by Raquel Pelta, will run through the history of Spanish graphic design from the arrival of democracy in the Eighties, to that of the Macintosh in the early 2000s. A selection of 600 pieces by 200 professionals, including magazines, posters, album covers, web pages and more, will be showcased as a point of reference in the study and preservation of graphic design as part of Barcelona’s cultural heritage. Free admission to this exhibition and all the museum’s permanent exhibitions will be available on June 9th and 10th.

© Shomei Tomatsu

DOUBLE VISION SHOMEI TOMATSU. FUNDACIÓN MAPFRE. DIPUTACIÓ 250. OPENING JUNE 5TH. When Shomei Tomatsu (1930-2012), turned his camera on his homeland, he not only captured Japan in a state of post-war change, but transformed Japanese photography forever. His most well-known photograph, entitled Melted Bottle, Nagasaki (1961), is a grainy, surreal image depicting what appears, at first glance, to be the grotesque, deformed body of an animal, but is in fact a beer bottle melted by the intense heat of a nuclear blast. For more than five decades, the photojournalist-turned-experimentalist reimagined the essence of Japan with his freeform images, exposing its contradictions, scars and turbulent social changes. Breaking from the quiet formalism that defined earlier Japanese photography, his impressionistic style pioneered extreme subjectivity and elevated the blurred and broken above the conventionally beautiful. The exhibition chronologically and thematically runs through over 180 photographs, drawn from various Japanese private institutions and collections, to showcase how his camera looked beneath the skin of a nation and remade modern Japan.

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EXHIBITIONS

OPENING FILMOTECA DE CATALUNYA Hollywood’s own. Photos from the Gómez Grau brothers.

The work of the Gómez Grau brothers, Claudi and Frederic, immortalised the filming process of many 20th-century blockbusters. Their careful work behind the scenes of epics such as Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Patton (1970), gives an incredible insight into the life and art of famous actors of the time.

June 7th-September 16th. Pl. de Salvador Seguí 1-9.

LA VIRREINA CENTRE DE LA IMATGE ‘Creative’ Photography in Catalonia (1973-1982) This collection presents works by the generation of photographers who pioneered the concept of ‘creative’ or ‘signature’ photography during the Seventies and Eighties. June 16th-September 30th.

La Rambla 99.

FUNDACIÓ JOAN MIRÓ I am Vertical Dealing with the feeling of isolation and introspection experienced at high altitudes, this is a collaborative exhibition by Swedish duo Lisa Gideonsson and Gustaf Londré.

June 29th-September 11th. Parc de Montjuïc.

LAST CHANCE COSMOCAIXA The Beauty of the Universe Catalan artist Eugènia Balcalls uses light to explore space and time in ‘Anys llum’ (Light years), while North American photographer and filmmaker Michael Benson presents ‘Altres mons’ (Other worlds), a compilation of photos showing the incredible depth of the solar system.

Until June 10th. Isaac Newton 26.

FUNDACIÓ FOTO COLECTANIA Paco Gómez. The Poetic Instant and the Architectural Image Featuring more than 150 photographs, this collection takes viewers on a journey through the architectural photography of Paco Gómez.

Until June 17th. Pg. de Picasso 14.

GALERIA JOAN PRATS Muntadas - Edicions II Winner of the Spanish Prize for Visual Arts in 2005, Antoni Muntadas uses photography and video to comment on the relationship between architecture and social spaces, and the tension between public and private spheres.

Until June 17th. Balmes 54.

CAIXAFORUM Disney. El arte de contar historias.

This exhibition reveals the workings behind the magic of Disney.

With production notes, storyboards, sets of drawings and character studies, Disney fans can learn about the process of screenplay adaptation.

Until June 24th. Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 6-8.

3 PUNTS GALERIA ‘One of a Kind’ Collective Exhibition A selection of works by both emerging and established artists who have a close relationship with the gallery. Coming from local and international backgrounds, the artists work within a wide range of genres, from urban art and sculpture to painting and photography.

Until June 30th. Enric Granados 21.

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(24TH)

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL The 26th edition of the film festival that highlights some of the best cinematic work produced by women each year. June 5th-10th. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

A stylised look at six centuries of Japanese culture through the lens of celebrated photographer Shomei Tomatsu. June 5th-September 16th.

Fundació Mapfre.

Scotland’s biggest rock band of the early 2000s tours their classic album The Man Who (1999).

8.30pm. Sala Razzmatazz.

MAGIC NIGHTS Casa Batlló comes alive every evening this summer with a twilight house visit and concerts from a range of local artists. May 1st-November 4th. Casa Batlló.

5SHOMEI TOMATSU

TUE SDAY

4TRAVIS

PHOTO .

MONDAY

PRIDE BARCELONA (23RD)

DIA ORWELL Local historians pay homage to the British author, leading free tours around the city retracing Orwell’s steps during the Spanish Civil War. 4.30pm & 6.30pm. La Rambla.

The annual festival celebrating all facets of the design world returns with workshops, exhibits, debates, networking and markets. June 5th14th. Disseny Hub Barcelona.

6BARELONA DESIGN WEEK

WE DN ESDAY

CLOSE TO HOLLYWOOD This photography of the Grau brothers showcases the glamour of Sixties cinema, with a behindthe-scenes look at some of the decade’s most iconic movies. June 7th-September 16th. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

Puccini’s first great operatic triumph arrives to the Liceu for two weeks, featuring international stars of the stage including Ludmyla Monastryska and Gregory Kunde. June 7th-22nd.

Liceu.

7MANON LESCAUT

MAGIC NIGHTS (4TH)

T HURSDAY

SIR SIMON RATTLE Conducting the Berlin Philharmonic for one of the final times, the British conductor brings Brahms and Lutoslawski to Barcelona.

9pm. Palau de la Música.

The Spanish pop star, who has reach Number One in Spain with all of his albums, is touring his latest release, Prometo (2017). June 8th-9th. Palau Sant Jordi.

8PABLO ALBORÁN

SONAR FESTIVAL (15TH)

FESTIVAL OF DIGITAL NOMADS The first DNX festival celebrates freelance workers, with a series of presentations, talks and workshops dedicated to business. Nau Bostik.

Dedicated to the Modernista painter Lluïsa Vidal to commemorate the centenary of her death, this threeday street fair includes concerts, workshops and an artisanal market.

June 1st-3rd. Girona (Diputació to Diagonal).

The winner of the Spanish National Prize for Magic in 2014, José Marín Tello presents his latest show, which combines comedy, music and the magical arts. 8.30pm. Club Capitol.

APPLAUSE 2018 The one-day Pro App Marketing and Global Growth conference brings together tech experts from across Europe to discuss mobile strategy.

W Hotel.

214TH FIRA MODERNISTA

SAT URDAY

1MAGO MARÍN

FRIDAY

POETRY SLAM BARCELONA 2018 The monthly poetry competition at the CCCB where aspiring performance artists compete for the Slammer of the Month Award.

6pm. CCCB.

Rock out to the classic hits of Queen, who have joined together with American vocalist Adam Lambert to continue Mercury’s legacy.

9.30pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

10 QUEEN AND ADAM LAMBERT

FLEADONIA Hunt for treasure in the Raval at this monthly flea market, filled with second-hand clothes, shoes, accessories and homeware at affordable prices.

10am. Plaça de Salvador Segui.

The annual urban music festival closes with performances by Joe Goddard, Tigercats and Rhye.

May 30th-June 3rd. Parc del Fòrum.

3PRIMAVERA SOUND

SUN DAY

JUNE 2018

THIS MONTH

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The Argentine classical cellist joins with Bertrand Chamayou to perform works by Schumann, Brittan and Chopin that showcase the beauty of the string instrument.

8.30pm. Palau de la Música.

THE FUTURE OF ADVERTISING CONGRESS The congress for advertising professionals returns to Barcelona for its 19th edition, with debates, speeches and round table discussions on the future of the profession. Centro Comercial El Maquinista.

Daniel G. Andújar presents a protest against violence and the effects of war on ordinary people, addressing themes such as cultural identity and memory. May 30th - September 15th.

Fundació Suñol.

POP BY DAVIDE OLDANI A three-month pop-up restaurant by the contemporary Italian master chef, that combines artisanal Italian ingredients with Catalan flavours for an unforgettable meal. May 1st-July 31st. Cotton House Hotel.

25

RINGO STARR (26TH)

BE GOD IS An experimental artistic collaboration without words, in which humour is provided by live music, mime and gestural theatre. June 8th-22nd.

Teatre Lliure.

The final week of the exhibition exploring the magic behind our favourite Disney films, using production notes, storyboards and original sketches. March 23rd-June 24th. CaixaForum.

27 EMELI SANDÉ Songwriter to the stars turned pop singer, Sandé presents her latest lyrical masterpiece Long Live the Angels (2016). 10pm. Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

SWAN LAKE The Ballet de Monterrey, a Mexicobased classical dance company, reinterprets Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake (1874) for the Barcelona stage. June 27th-July 1st. Teatre Tivoli.

The genius drummer of The Beatles, who has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, continues to perform with his All Starr Band. 7pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

BROADWAY STARS IN CONCERT Four of the best voices on the musical theatre stage, Laura Tebbutt, Rob Houchen, Sofía Escobar and Gerónimo Rauch, perform songs from famous Broadway shows. 10pm.

Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

ELVIS COSTELLO The English rock legend continues to build on his legacy, touring Europe with his band The Imposters.

10pm. Festival Jardins de Pedralbes

BRUNO MARS The record producer, dancer, singer and instrumentalist who won six Grammys this year presents a sleek show that will leave the audience grinning. 10pm. Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

20

AMERSOC HAPPY HOUR Network within the English-language community of Barcelona at this monthly business event. 8pm. TBC.

The final week of this exhibition, featuring 150 photographs by of one of Spain’s greatest architectural photographers, as well as various magazines and newspapers. March 21st-June 17th. Fundació Foto Colectania.

13 PACO GÓMEZ ARCHIVE

26 RINGO STARR

RUBY SPARKS An American rom-com inspired by the promise of epic love and the realities of relationships, starring Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano. 5pm. Filmoteca de Catalunya.

The multi-talented pop, R&B and soul singer performs crowd-pleasing hits and new singles from her upcoming album R.O.S.E (2018). 7pm. Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

18 19 EL ARTE DE CONTAR HISTORIAS JESSIE J

12 SOL GABETTA

11 THE DISASTERS OF WAR

I’M VERTICAL Swedish artistic duo Lisa Gideonsson and Gustaf Londré explore issues related to temporality, bodies and natural space, as well as the relationship between them. June 29th - September 11th. Fundació Joan Miró.

With the release of their latest album, Attention Attention, in May, the American hard-rock band will present an unforgettable concert of their newest material. 7pm. Sala Razzmatazz.

29 SHINEDOWN

FESTA MAJOR CASC ANTIC The city centre comes alive for this annual festival, featuring concert, street theatre, markets, food and parades. June 15th - July 1st.

Casc Antic.

A screening of the Disney favourite, Fantasia (1940), accompanied by live music from the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra. June 21st - 22nd.

L’Auditori.

22 FANTASIA

FLAMES ON THE BORDER An exhibition examining the social and political impact of WW1 on Catalonia and its people.

June 22nd-November 18th. d'Història de Catalunya.

This year marks the festival’s 25th anniversary and celebrations include a mind-blowing line-up, headlined

by Diplo, Gorillaz and Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke.

June 14th-16th. Fira Barcelona.

15 SÓNAR FESTIVAL 2018

DULCEWEEKEND MARKET The annual fashion and music market sponsored by Rimmel London brings together international brands and popular artists for a fun and quirky weekend of design. June 30th-July 1st. Fira de Barcelona.

VIDA FESTIVAL A rock, pop and indie festival in a whimsical wooded setting, featuring performances by Franz Ferdinand, Iron and Wine, and There Might Be Giants. June 28th-July 1st.

Vilanova i la Geltrú.

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NIT DE SANT JOAN Celebrate the summer solstice and the feast of St. John the Baptist with a night of fire and music across the city, including bonfires, fireworks and fun on the beach until dawn.

City centre.

The main Pride festival in the Mediterranean this year raises awareness for LGBTI refugees with a week of campaigning, parties, concerts and parades. June 23rd 30th. City centre.

23 PRIDE BARCELONA

VIDA (JUNE 28TH-JULY 1ST)

ANTONI TÀPIES, POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY An exploration of the most political works by the Spanish artist, who worked throughout the Fifties and Sixties in opposition of the Fascist regime. June 7th-February 24th.

Fundació Antoni Tàpies.

The soulful Welsh crooner, who was knighted in 2006, brings an eclectic concert of old-school hits and newer releases to Barcelona. 10pm.

Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

24 TOM JONES

BARCELONA ENGLISH CHOIR The international music group present their annual summer concert in aid of Barcelona-based charity Candela, singing everything from Beyoncé to Björk. 6pm & 9pm.

Razzmatazz.

PRIZE The home venue for many of the sport’s biggest stars, including Marc Marquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Maverick Viñales, hosts the MotoGP annual competition. June 15th-17th.

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The Grammy award-winning Spanish crossover artist, first spotted during a TV talent show in 2001, performs his 2016 album Hijos del Mar. 9.30pm.

Palau Sant Jordi.

SARA BARAS Spain’s most famous flamenco dancer of the 21st century, Baras performs with her dance company, Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras.

June 14th and 16th.

Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

17 MOTOGP MONSTER ENERGY

16 DAVID BISBAL

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

JEFF BECK Fifth on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list, the English rocker continues to play his oldschool energetic beats around the world. 10pm. Festival Jardins de Pedralbes.

The ‘Firework’ songstress brings her belting voice to Barcelona, touring her latest release Witness (2017).

9.30pm. Palau Sant Jordi.

28 KATY PERRY

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY Celebrate the power and beauty of this relaxing practice with free workshops and talks hosted by Patañjali Yogpeeth España.

5pm. Espai Cosmos.

The actress and singer, who shot to fame in childhood for her work with Disney Channel, performs her latest album Tell Me You Love Me (2017).

7pm. Sant Jordi Club.

21 DEMI LOVATO

EGI BOOST STARTUP PITCH COMPETITION An opportunity for new startups to compete for corporate angels, investors and business experts with a three-minute presentation.

3pm. La Mola Hotel.

An off-Sonar DJ set featuring Carl Craig, celebrating the best of Detroit’s techno, R&B, Blues, Jazz and Motown music. 4pm. El Monasterio de Poble Espanyol.

14 DETROIT LOVE

misc ALL MY LOVING PRIDE 2018. CITY CENTRE. JuNE 23RD-30Th In an explosive celebration of all kinds of love, one of the most popular and diverse Pride weeks in Europe returns to Barcelona. Every summer since 2008, over 250,000 people have taken to the streets. The event promotes the self-affirmation, dignity, equal rights, sexual diversity and gender variance of the LGBTI community, under the ethos, ‘we need to love ourselves more’. This year will support LGBTI refugees in Barcelona, who have fled their own countries for fear of persecution. Pride 2018 kicks off on June 14th with an international conference that will address the issues faced by LGBTI refugees, before festivities commence with the IX Gayxample street market on June 23rd.

Throughout the week, there will be a multitude of activities including craft workshops and a recreation area, as well as a high heel race, drag race, parties and live music happening along Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina. The festival culminates in the iconic parade at 5pm on June 30th, which starts at Jardines de las Tres Xemeneies and runs along Paral·lel.

PhARAOh. KING OF EGYPT. CAIXA FORum. AV. DE FRANCESC FERRER I GuARDIA 6-8.

JuNE 8Th-SEPTEmBER 16Th. According to Ancient Egyptian theology, the Pharaohs were direct descendants of the gods, placed on Earth with divine authority to rule. As kings, they were supreme warlords charged with protecting the realm from enemies to ensure maat, the order of the Universe. Nevertheless, even as earthly representatives of Ra, the Sun God, they were still fallible. During the 3000-year rule of the Pharaohs, Egypt suffered terrible defeats by outside powers and was rocked by civil war, placing the divine powers of the rulers in doubt. Through more than 150 artefacts borrowed from the British Museum, this exhibition at CaixaForum examines the contrasting aspects of the monarchy, exploring daily life in the palace, the symbology of clothing and jewellery, and the overarching influence of religion and rituals.

Photo courtesy of CaixaForum

GOD AMONG MEN

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PAY HOMAGE DIA ORwELL. LA RAmBLA. JuNE 6Th. This month marks the fifth edition of Dia Orwell in Barcelona. First organised in 2013 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Homage to Catalonia, Dia Orwell pays homage to the British author who helped place Barcelona and Catalunya on the literary map. On June 6th, local historians are providing free tours that retrace Orwell’s experience in the city as a volunteer during the Spanish Civil War, and his subsequent inspiration for his 1938 novel. Tours will be conducted in Catalan and English from 4.30pm. Pre-booking is essential, via www.diaorwell.com. From 6.30pm-8pm, activist and journalist Masha Greesen, who recently published The Future is History, Russia and the Return of Totalitarianism (2018), will be speaking about the revival of democracy in contemporary society. The discussion will take place in the CCCB and tickets cost €3.

SHADOW DANCE SARA BARAS. FESTIVAL JARDINS DE PEDRALBES. AV. DIAGONAL 686. JuNE 14Th. One of the most celebrated flamenco dancers of recent times, Cádiz native Sara Baras was first introduced to flamenco at her mother’s dance school. Continuing her training with a series of famous dancers, including El Güito and Dania Gómez, the young Andalusian flourished, and her talent won her opportunities to tour with several companies both nationally and internationally. In 1998, Baras founded her own school, Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras, and in the past 20 years has organised and choreographed 13 shows. Her most recent, Sombras, is currently on tour, celebrating the 20th birthday of the company with vigour and style. Baras and her musical team recount the evolutionary tale of flamenco as an art form, through both times of solitude and shadows to moments of colour and joy. With the support of guest artists, such as dancer José Serrano and famous saxophonist Tim Riles, the audience will be taken on an intense journey of passion, for which Baras is renowned.

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SUMMERTIME CINEMA A QUICK GUIDE TO THIS SUMMER’S FILM FESTIVALS

By Gemma Macmillan-Fox

B

arcelona hosts an array of annual film festivals, all of which aim to nurture local and international filmmaking talent. The city’s summer film festivals invite viewers to spend a balmy evening on the beach or in a courtyard watching an assortment of classic and contemporary flicks. They provide the perfect excuse to spend an afternoon out of the heat or a night enjoying a film under the stars.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL June 5th-10th This festival promotes and supports some of the best cinematic work produced by women every year at the Filmoteca de Catalunya. It focuses on documentary and experimental works by both established and up-and-coming filmmakers. The festival’s programme has been crucial in the discovery of cult female directors such as Agnès Varda, as well as pioneering and often overlooked directors such as Alice Guy, Lois Weber and Ulrike Ottinger.

FIRE!!

June 7th-17th This summer, Casal Lambda presents the 23rd edition of Barcelona’s LGBTI film festival, ‘FIRE!!’. Showing a collection of films that highlight the struggles and realities of the LGBTI community around the world, the festival’s programme ranges from documentaries to shorts and feature films. The 2018 edition of the festival will focus on the stories of young people, and includes Blerta Zeqiri’s hard-hitting romantic drama, The Marriage (2017) and Jenée LaMarque’s The Feels (2017), a playful political comedy. Screenings are set to take place in various cinemas across the city.

SALA MONTJUÏC June 29th-August 3rd Sala Montjuïc is one of the city’s favourite summertime festivals. A range of classic and contemporary films are showcased in the former moat of Montjuïc castle, preceded by live music and a short film screening. In previous years, the programme has included La La Land (2016), The Revenant (2015) and Woody Allen’s Manhattan (1979). This year, Sala Montjuïc has become part of the Festival Grec, an international theatre, dance, music and circus festival, and kicks off with Land (2017) on June 29th, accompanied by a presentation from its director, Carlos Marques-Marcet. Deck chairs are available for €3, meaning that attendees can recline and relax while enjoying the line-up.

GANDULES August (dates TBC) Each year, the CCCB invites film lovers to view a diverse assortment of films based on a specific theme. In previous years, this has included femmes fatales, the seven deadly sins, immigration and love. The festival is free and equipped with deck chairs and a bar selling drinks and snacks. Often surrealist and always entertaining, it’s a line-up not to be missed. Screenings take place midweek, usually running from Tuesday to Thursday in the CCCB’s Pati de les Dones courtyard.

CINEMA LLIURE A LA PLATJA June 28th-August 2nd An independent film festival, Cinema Lliure a la Platja offers free film screenings on the beach. Throughout the festival, films are screened from Thursday to Sunday in several locations: Thursday and Sunday screenings take place in Barceloneta, moving to Badalona beach on Friday, and El Prat on Saturday. Hundreds of film aficionados gather at sunset to enjoy a selection of alternative and avant-garde films not available at conventional cinemas, reflecting the urban and contemporary spirit of the festival.

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TRAVEL

GARRAF MASSIF A PEACEFUL ESCAPE IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK

By Natalia Quiros-Edmunds

H

eading south from Barcelona, the first port of call for a day trip is usually the ever-popular seaside town of Sitges. En route, however, one has to go around, under or over the mountainous coastal landscape of the Garraf Massif, home to rugged parkland, idyllic beaches and quaint seaside towns. The Parc Natural del Garraf hides amidst these coastal mountains, whose dense shrubland and chalky slopes are dotted with cavities and sinkholes. Follow the rugged cliffs down to the sea, and you will find the quiet coastal town of Garraf, a former fishing village with a peaceful stretch of golden sand.

As rich in archaeological history as it is in natural beauty, and only a stone’s throw from Barcelona, it’s the perfect place to escape the crowded city and enjoy the sunshine in tranquility.

Hiking trails The park’s looping hiking and cycling trails are all clearly marked and wind around the mountain’s rugged landscape. The jagged scenery, which is littered with chasms and canals, evolved gradually over centuries of water and wind erosion. Trails can be found on the Parcs de Catalunya website. parcs.diba.cat/es/web/itineraris

astronomical Observatory The Garraf Astronomical Observatory is located at the park’s entrance. It offers guided visits every two months and can be booked for events such as anniversaries and parties. oagarraf.net

Garraf Parc Natural del Garraf This natural park covers a large area of the massif. The landscape is characterised by limestone hills covered in dense thickets of low rise shrubs and occasional wooded areas. Deep valleys, eroded over time, are riddled with caves and underground lakes, and reach down into clear Mediterranean waters. The park itself is notable for being an almost entirely uninhabited rural area, and the rugged landscape offers a wealth of options for hikers, cyclists, stargazers and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

Sheltered at the base of calciferous cliffs is the small and sleepy seaside town of Garraf. Formerly a fishing village, the area suffered pirate attacks up until the 18th century. In the centre, there is a small whitewashed church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and a property designed by Antoni Gaudí, known as Celler Güell. Far less busy than neighbouring Sitges, Garraf retains much of its authenticity, and locals still come together in the square in the evenings to play cards or dominoes. Its long fishing history means that fresh produce can be found in both local markets and restaurants.

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Sakya tashi ling Buddhist Monastery High in the hills is the Modernista mansion of La Plana Novella, built by Pere Domenech i Grau in 1890. Since 1996 it has been the location of the Sakya Tashi Ling Tibetan Buddhist monastery and community. The retreat is the first of its kind in Catalunya, and offers guided tours, an exhibition on Tibetan art and culture, relaxation workshops and activities related to inner harmony. It is open to visitors on weekends and public holidays from 9.30am to 6pm. monjesbudistas.org

celler Güell

club Nàutic Garraf

The architectural complex of Celler Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell in 1882, after he saw Antoni Gaudí’s work at the Paris World’s Fair in 1878. The original plans included a winery and several hunting pavilions, but the latter were never built. With a triangular profile, steep sloping roofs and asymmetrical arches, the whimsical winery was completed in 1897 to a suitably Gaudí finish, and produced wine for the Compañía Transatlántica Española shipping fleet.

Today, guided tours of the buildings, gardens and chapel-oratory, include a glass of wine and views over the sea. gaudigarraf.com

Founded in 1965, the Club Nàutic Garraf is situated in the port at the southern end of town. The club has a cafeteria, restaurant, swimming pool, gym and sauna, and offers a range of activities, including sailing, paddle boarding and kayaking lessons for all ages and abilities, as well as diving trips and cruises. clubnauticgarraf.com

Platja del Garraf Below the village is a stretch of golden sand, lined with white and green wooden beach houses, originally used by fishermen. The peaceful cove is 350 metres long and 25 metres wide, with showers, toilets, sun loungers, paddle boats and umbrellas available for rent. A small selection of restaurants overlooks the bay, and Garraf’s port offers a variety of water sports and activities. At the northern end of the beach, a rundown hotel has recently been renovated by Soho House Barcelona and is scheduled to open this summer. The ‘Little Beach House’ will have 15 luxury guest rooms and a beach club vibe. littlebeachhousebarcelona.com

la cúpula Perched atop a rocky outcrop at the southern end of the beach, La Cúpula serves fresh, locally sourced food with extraordinary sea views. Main courses start at €15.95, and a tasting menu is available for €35. lacupulagarraf.com

Celler Güell

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SIGNATURE BY A3 is an art deco cocktail bar and coffee lab.

We have over 70 different cocktails, created with the best premium liquors and distillates.

We specialise in coffee and tea infusions. Come and try our exclusive herbal bouquet and wildflowers blend!

Quote ‘Metropolitan’ for 15% off any order.

Calle Marià Cubí 180 | 08021 Barcelona | T. 699 771 040 askanas.abgaryan@gmail.com | Instagram - signaturebya3 | www.signaturebya3.com

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WORKING LIFE

startup of the month

I’M PERFECT FOOD DESIREE TABOADA, FOUNDER, PERU

By Natalie Donback

I’m Perfect Food is an online shop that sells food that might otherwise go to waste. It can be anything from imperfect fruit considered too unattractive to be sold in the supermarket, to a squashed cereal box or a bottle of Martini with an upsidedown label. We also sell products that are close to their best before date, but are still perfectly fine to consume.

Shoppers save money by buying things in our store. At the same time, they help limit food waste and reduce the impact of food production on the environment. We reclaim products from various suppliers and we’re adding more all the time. Currently, we deliver to selected locations in Castelldefels and Barcelona, but we hope to extend our services to the rest of Spain and Europe.

I’m Perfect Food’s ultimate mission is to reduce food waste by raising awareness. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, roughly one third of all food produced gets lost or wasted. The online shop is our main platform, but we’re also planning on bringing attention to the problem through original content such as videos, interviews and educational talks. There are so many things we can do to decrease food waste, and the more people are aware of the issue, the better will be able to tackle it.

I became aware of the issue when I was working with companies manufacturing consumer products in Peru. During my 10 years of providing marketing services to the industry, I witnessed many companies struggling with food waste on a large scale.

More often than not, the willingness to tackle the issue was there, but the companies lacked the logistical means to do so.

After taking a sabbatical year in Barcelona, I decided to launch I’m Perfect Food. I had to decide whether to return home and work for a large company, like I had in the past, or start something on my own. I decided that it was time to take the risk and that’s how we started. During my studies at EADE, I met my business partner, Natalia Escolá, and when I told her about the project she immediately said, “Let’s do it!” So we started in December last year and launched the beta version of the app in March.

We’re working on a plan to connect all organisations related to the issue. The idea is to help streamline the process of recovering food products and make it easier for shelters and organisations to pick up products from supermarkets and suppliers.

The food banks try their best to recover products but sometimes they just don’t have the resources to do so. A robust network would make it easier to rationalise the process and access products.

We also want to help companies improve their waste management. We often hear that supermarkets and producers don’t have the logistical framework to coordinate regular donations and that their only other option is to destroy the products.

We really want to work with these companies in order to avoid the destruction of consumable food, and we’ve already presented a couple of proposals.

GET INSPIRED...

DNX - DIGITAL NOMADS FESTIVAL Nau Bostik. June 2nd. 9am-9pm.

DNX is a global community of digital entrepreneurs that holds monthly networking events in cities worldwide.

New to Barcelona, the DNX Festival is a one-day celebration of self-employed workers and entrepreneurs that features expert speakers, workshops and roundtable discussions, as well as food trucks and DJs. Motivational talks include Federico Bongiorno from lifestylemaketing.com, explaining how he set up his business at 23, and Diana Garces from traviajar. es discussing how to turn a blog into a business. dnxbarcelona.com

GOI ACADEMY: BODY LANGUAGE FOR SUCCESS

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS PITCHING BATTLE

Location TBC. June 6th. 10am-2pm.

Taught by the co-founder of Gallery of Ideas, Patricia Curty, the GOI Academy strives to improve communication and presentation skills for people of all ages, be it for a business meeting or a wedding speech.

This month, join the group for a four-hour workshop that explores the impact of body language on success.

According to GOI, this is the simplest way to improve confidence and increase audience engagement. giobcn.com

Sala mVentures. June 15th. 10.30am-1.30pm.

Europe-wide organisation Lean In is a women’s business angel scheme to support up-and-coming female entrepreneurs. This competition, co-funded by the European Commision, is one of their initiatives designed to help female leaders find the spotlight. Each businesswoman has seven minutes to present their ideas to a panel of female angels, with a cash prize and the chance to qualify for the grand finale in Italy. leanin-wba.eu

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WORKING LIFE

A DAY IN THE LIFE PRIYANKAA JOSHI, 25, UK, WRITER/EDITOR Raised in Bristol, Hispanic studies graduate Priyankaa moved to Barcelona in 2016 to escape the cold British weather, keep up with her Spanish and gain some experience living abroad. After a stint teaching English, she realised her true calling was writing.

Today she works at the EU Business School, as part of the Communications team made up of writers, graphic designers, videographers and photographers. Her job involves writing and editing a range of materials, from website and blog content to press releases and newsletters.

6.50AM When my alarm goes off, I jump out of bed. Although it’s tempting, I never hit the snooze button, as I know getting out of bed will only get harder. Half asleep, I make a cup of green tea and get ready for the day.

7.50AM I aim to be out the door by 7.50am so I can enjoy a leisurely stroll to work.

The EU Business School (EU) has two campus buildings, one in La Bonanova and one on Avinguda Diagonal. I work on the Diagonal campus, a pleasant half-hour walk from my flat in Gràcia, which I usually spend listening to a podcast or music. I’m making an effort to practise my Spanish at the moment, so I’m listening to a podcast called ‘Notes in Spanish’. I also enjoy listening to Russell Brand’s podcast, ‘Under the Skin’.

8.30AM I grab a coffee at a nearby cafe and head into the office. The Communications department is on the ninth floor with glorious views of Tibidabo and lots of natural light.

8.45AM I start the day by replying to emails and organising my daily priorities.

9.30AM I like to do most of my writing in the morning when my mind is focused and I’m at my most creative. Today, I’m compiling our monthly newsletter and working on a couple of posts that will be published on our blog (euruni.edu) later this week. I put on my noise-cancelling headphones and get to work.

1PM Lunchtime. I grab my packed lunch and head to the park to sit in the sunshine with some of my colleagues. We have a great team and I love that I get to spend my day with people who have become good friends.

Our office is located opposite L’illa shopping centre, which can be a bit dangerous as I often find myself popping in during lunch breaks to ‘browse’.

2PM Back to work. This afternoon, my first task is to finish a press release that needs to be sent off by the end of the day.

4PM I make a cup of tea and head to a meeting room for a phone interview with a member of our alumni network for our ‘Alumni of the month’ blog series. This is one of my favourite things to do. It’s always fascinating speaking to people about their lives and what they’ve achieved since graduating.

4.45PM I head into a meeting about the EU Language Centre, which we recently opened. The centre offers Spanish courses to internal and external students, and I’m in charge of the promotional materials.

5.30PM Time to go home. I usually call my mum for a chat as I walk. It feels good to stretch my legs outside after sitting at a desk all day.

6.30PM I meet my Spanish teacher Marta in the cafe opposite my flat. As I speak English at work and at home, I have to make a real effort to maintain my Spanish. We spend an hour chatting over coffee.

7.40PM As soon as I get in, I put on my pyjamas, light some candles and start cooking. Tonight it’s a vegetable chilli with roasted sweet potato, brown rice and lots of guacamole.

9PM My boyfriend and I settle down on the sofa with a cup of tea and a few squares of chocolate (something sweet after dinner is a must) to watch The Handmaid’s Tale.

It’s one of the best shows we’ve watched in a long time.

11PM Most nights I try to get into bed around 11pm. I either read a few pages on my Kindle or listen to an audiobook to help me drift off.

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

FISMULER

BARCELONA ELBULLI ALUMNI ARE BACK IN TOWN

By Sam Zucker

S

ixteen years in the making, Fismuler Barcelona was opened at the beginning of the year by three chefs from three distinct cultural backgrounds who share a singular culinary soul.

Chefs and long-time friends Nino Redruello, Patxi Zumárraga and Jaime Santianes met in 2002 while working in the kitchen of Ferran Adrià at elBulli. After going their separate ways, the three friends have joined together once again to bring Madrid hotspot Fismuler—opened by Redruello and Zumárraga in 2016—to Barcelona. The menu at Fismuler runs the gamut from simplistic, modern Mediterranean to experimental northern European. The three chefs, from Madrid, the Basque Country and Asturias, trained in Michelin-starred kitchens around Europe and acquired techniques from some of the world’s best chefs; international influences that are apparent in the diverse menu of 15 starters and eight main dishes.

Fismuler Barcelona is located in a massive 300-square-metre space on the ground floor of the brand new Hotel Rec, within sight of the Arc de Triomf. Leading the kitchen is Santianes, who was previously the executive chef of Grupo San Telmo (Big Kokka and El Canalla, among others), so I was already familiar with his honest and open approach to gastronomy. Many of the dishes are taken directly from the list of all-time favourites at Fismuler Madrid, such as the tortilla de ortiguillas (sea anemone omelette) and the truffled chicken wings with egg yolk and sweet potato. At this new location Catalan tastes are also catered to, and the menu changes daily to reflect what’s best at the market. On the night that we dined at Fismuler, we were treated to a plate of beautiful

spring green peas from nearby Maresme, which were nearing the end of their season. Served with briny cockles and boiled cachelo potatoes, it is hard to imagine a more delicious preparation of these vibrant little gems.

Less season-dependent is the standard amuse-bouche at Fismuler—two bites of thinly sliced, cured beef brisket, topped with pickled radish and accompanied by sourdough bread and raw milk salted butter, served at room temperature for perfect spreading.

The ideal way to stave off hunger and welcome guests, my first taste of Fismuler boded well for the rest of the evening.

For something to quench your thirst, Fismuler has a wide range of house-infused alcohols—gin, rum, whiskey and vodka steeped in everything from roasted apples to Oolong tea—as well as housemade lemonade, micheladas, rebujitos, ginger cider and sangria. I started with a traditional Asturian cider, mixed with lemon, ginger and ginger beer. I loved it and could have drunk three more, although the michelada wasn’t as good. It tasted like beer with the faintest whisper of tomato and spice.

Santianes sent plate after plate to our table and, though not all were to my liking, this was mainly due to personal preference: all the cooking and seasoning was spot on. I am often reluctant to admit that I am not a fan of prawn heads: “Suck the head like a local,” they tell you when you try your first grilled red prawn from Palamós. At Fismuler, sea urchins—an ingredient that enchanted me at first bite years ago on the coast of northern California, and is one of the best reasons to visit the Costa Brava in winter— are served topped with a prawn head foam. If that’s your thing, you’ll love it, but I found the flavour of the prawn overwhelming.

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Photos courtesy of Fismuler

The razor clams, however, served on a decorative plate of river stones, were right up my alley. Pre-cut into bitesized pieces and dressed in a velvety, refined version of the classic Galician condiment, garlicky ajada gallega, the navajas were cooked perfectly.

Next came my favourite dish of the entire meal: a plate of carpaccio-cut, semi-cured dorada (Gilt-Head Bream) with red grapes and chopped almonds. The thin slices of tender white fish were garnished with slivers of marinated shallots and an olive oil smoked with vine clippings, which added a round earthiness that marvellously complemented this sweet/salty dish.

The sea anemone omelette which, at first taste, was more odd than enjoyable, actually became another favourite as I explored the new flavours that developed with each bite. This riff on the classic tortilla is a crepe-thin sheet of cooked egg, stuffed with an egg foam, fried sea anemone, shiso leaves and roasted green peppers, then topped with a forest green dusting of spirulina algae.

At Fismuler, the servers are specifically instructed not to describe or announce the dishes when delivering them to the table, which was a bit of a shock at first. Luckily for Fismuler, their delightful food and welcoming ambience speak for themselves. With live music from Wednesday to Saturday, and a menu that is constantly changing, I’ll need little excuse to return for my second visit.

MORE INFO

Rec Comtal 17 T. 93 514 0050 barcelona.fismuler.com ✪✪✪✪

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

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Photos courtesy of Hana Ramen and Bowls

QUICK BITES

JAPANESE FLAVOURS IN VILA OLÍMPICA

By Sam Zucker

J

ust off Carrer Marina and steps from the verdant Carrer Wellington, Hana Ramen and Bowls is surprisingly busy for its slightly out of the way location. Sharing a wall with sisterrestaurant Cafè Menssana, it also shares the international lunch crowd that flocks from the offices and agencies in the surrounding area, as well as students from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra Ciutadella campus. Officially dubbed ‘Hana: The Ramen & Bowls Place’ according to their minimalistic, black and white menu, the food is Japanese, just as you would expect.

Diners can choose from an assortment of reasonably priced starters—from grilled octopus with ancho chilli butter, cauliflower purée and miso to roasted chashu pork, garnished with pickled melon and dried bonito flakes—as well as the expected ramen and

MORE INFO

Sardenya 48 T. 93 625 5035

about 10 other main dishes.

Ramen in itself is a meal, and there are three variations available: traditional pork and chicken styles, as well as a vegetarian ramen packed full of enoki mushrooms, seaweed, tofu and crunchy pak choi.

Among the larger dishes, you will find the bowls; deep ceramic vessels filled with sticky, vinegar-spiked sushi rice and topped with cured salmon with grapefruit; grilled prawns with bamboo; chicken with kimchi, and more. The menu is best shared among a group in order to taste as many plates as possible. Every dish that I have tried—and I have tried many since the restaurant opened in 2017— was made with attention to detail, taste and presentation. Anyone looking for an informal, affordable and out of-the-ordinary Japanese meal is sure to leave Hana happy.

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RECIPE

CARDAMOM POACHED LOQUATS Photo by Maggie Beer

WITH LABNE AND AMLOU (SERVES SIX)

By Tara Stevens

F

inally, the season of stone fruit is upon us which, if you’re a fruit lover, is arguably the best time of the year. This is when you’ll find peaches, nectarines and apricots at their finest, continuing well into July. Look out for the exquisite peaches from the Matarraña—I have been known to drive down there just to pick up a box or two of these perfect golden orbs. It’s also worth buying them in jars for the rest of the year as an impromptu dessert, just add a swirl of fresh cream. This recipe is a more complex version of that, and involves poaching the much underappreciated loquat (nispero in Spanish). This small yellow fruit lends itself to poaching with spices, as it isn’t particularly flavoursome on its own and holds its shape with cooking.

It makes a very refreshing summertime dessert, and a wonderful breakfast too, especially if you have everything to hand and ready to go in the fridge.

IN SEASON

JUNE APRICOTS, PEACHES, LOQUATS, NECTARINES, WATERMELON, LETTUCE, GREEN BEANS, COURGETTES

INGREDIENTS 9 loquats: peeled, seeds removed and halved 8 cardamom pods 1 glass of white wine

1 shot glass of rum or brandy ½ cup white sugar 100 ml plain yogurt 50 ml amlou (see below)

METHOD 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

To make the labne line a sieve with kitchen paper and set over a bowl, pour the yogurt into it and cover with the excess paper. Leave to drain in the fridge for at least a couple of hours, ideally overnight (the longer you leave it the thicker your labne will be).

Add the sugar to the wine in a pan and slowly dissolve over a medium heat.

Crush the cardamom pods to release the seeds and add to the pan of sugar syrup along with a shot of rum and the loquats.

Cover and cook over a low heat until the fruit is tender, then leave to cool in the syrup so it absorbs the flavours.

When ready to serve, arrange a dollop of labne on each plate, three loquat halves per person on top, and drizzle over with amlou.

To make amlou: This is a luxurious, Moroccan version of peanut butter. Simply blend together lightly toasted almonds with plenty of Argan oil (or a mild, oil-like sunflower) and a little honey to taste. If you’re making it to a spreadable consistency, you’ll need to thin it with a little extra oil for this recipe. I also recommend experimenting with adding different spices, such as ground cinnamon, ginger or anis.

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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THE BENEDICT BCN4 BARRI GÒTIC The Benedict BCN can be found in the heart of the city’s Gothic quarter. A cozy place full of charm, it has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and features a distinctive vintage design. Start your day with the best brunch in Barcelona the house speciality, the eggs Benedict, aren’t to be missed! Or grab your friends and spend evenings together enjoying their exquisite Latin food with an exotic cocktail in hand.

NEFW &D IN

Gignás 23. 08002 Tel. 93 250 7511 www.benedictbcn.com Brunch: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm Sat-Sun 9am-5pm Dinner: Thurs-Sun 7pm-11pm Cocktail bar: Thurs-Sunday till 2.30am

BAR CENTRO4 EIXAMPLE 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.

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

NICE SPICE4POBLENOU 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.

NEFW &D

FOOD DRINK

& IN

DISCOUNT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

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

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

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.

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

BAO BAO4SANTS “Bao” is one of the most delicious Asian street foods and is hugely popular in countries right across the continent. At Bao Bao, innovation is merged with tradition to provide a gourmet, fusion touch to this light and spongy bun; you’re invited to embark on a journey of taste through flavours from around the world.

NEFW &D

Riego 23 | Tues-Sat 8pm-2am | www.baobaobarcelona.com

IN

GOVINDA (VEGETARIAN)4BARRI GÒTIC Founded over 30 years ago, Govinda continues to thrive on a blend of experience and fresh innovation with its vegetarian Indian cuisine. The international menu features thalis, a salad bar, natural juices, lassis, pizzas and crêpes. Govinda offers a vegan-friendly, non-alcoholic and authentically-decorated environment with lunch and weekend menus.

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

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

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

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

HAWKER 454EIXAMPLE

FREE DESERT FOR METROPOLITAN READERS

Food & drink June18.indd 45

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

Former banker-turned-chef Laila Bazahm has taken Barcelona by storm with her deliciously creative fusion cuisine, lovingly crafted from the Southeast Asian and Latin American flavors of her childhood. Hawker 45 respects and cherishes classic street food but elevates it to a higher gastronomic level. The result is pure multi-cultural foodie heaven.

Casp 45 | Tel. 93 763 8315 | Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm and 8pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-4pm www.hawker45.com

5/30/18 2:25 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

Mary D. McCarthy - DOCTOR

Doctor for Adults

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

Narayn Yadave AYURVEDIC DOCTOR

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.

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

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

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

Open Mon-Sat 10am-8.30pm

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

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.

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

44-46 Health JUN18.indd 43

Eugenia Espinosa - ENGLISH SPEAKING PSYCHOLOGIST Eugenia is a licensed psycologist (col.

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

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

5/29/18 10:52 AM

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

44-46 Health JUN18.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

5/29/18 10:52 AM

First session free for new clients.

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’.

Rambla Catalunya 66, 1º F 08007 T. 93 215 23 93 recepcion@estudio3pilates.com www.estudio3pilates.com

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

Estudio 3 Pilates Reformer - PILATES STUDIO Our studio gives professional instruction to improve full-body flexibility and strength–without adding muscular bulk. Sessions are personalised to individuals or groups of up to five people, run by expert coaches trained in Reformer Pilates.

We offer monthly subscriptions for 1, 2 or 3 sessions a week with flexibility to fit our clients’schedules, and also offer one-off classes for occasional visitors.

FIRST SESSION FREE

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.

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

Yoga con Gracia - YOGA 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. www.yogacongracia.com

44-46 Health JUN18.indd 45

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

5/29/18 10:52 AM

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

elief

l d on ng

ntary ey

READER OFFER

BUSINESS SERVICES 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

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

47-49 Business JUN18 .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

5/29/18 11:06 AM

PWN Barcelona - NON PROFIT

Coccinelle - PRIVATE STAFF RECRUITMENT

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”.

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.

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

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

Yan Pekar - PHOTOGRAPHER

Geo Mac - COMPUTERS

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.

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.

• Back-up kit.

• Next day delivery.

• Guaranteed results under low lighting.

• Reliable. Responsible. On time.

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

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

Handyman - HOME SERVICES 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.

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

Yacht Point Barcelona - 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!

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

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

47-49 Business JUN18 .indd 44

5/29/18 11:06 AM

Language Surfing - LANGUAGE

Highlands School Barcelona - SCHOOL Highlands is a private Catholic school for students aged between one and eighteen. Students follow a high-quality, multilingual curriculum delivered mainly in English, with some classes in Spanish and Catalan.

They also have the option of learning French and German. The school is accredited by Cambridge International Education, a world leader in education for international schools. Highlands offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and works together with the Conservatori Liceu.

Manuel Florentín Pérez 26, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat www.highlandsbarcelona.es www.colegiosrc.es

Barcelona is your classroom and its streets are your books.

FIRST CLASS FOR FREE

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

Spanish with Angeles -

Oak House - SCHOOL Founded in 1968, pupils at Oak House are taught according to the UK national curriculum in early years and primary education. Secondary pupils follow a multilingual programme, with a firm emphasis on English. Oak House offers IGCSE qualifications to help prepare students for university courses in English. The school also offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in English, as well as the National Bachillerato programme. The school’s modern installations are conducive to an active learning style. Their motto is ‘building futures’.

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

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!

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.

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 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

47-49 Business JUN18 .indd 45

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

5/29/18 11:06 AM

COACHING COLUMN

SAM SAYS...

DON’T TOLERATE IT! Dear Sam, I read a lot of your articles and I wanted to contact you to see if you might be able to assist me professionally. I work in Barcelona as a tour guide, but I’m currently frustrated with the company I work for. While we are all freelancers, we are basically treated as employees. The tours are free and based on tips, part of which goes back to the company as a ‘marketing fee’, which varies based on the sales of other tours.

I have done this kind of work for years in other cities but I’m finding the inconsistency of my daily wage a bit challenging. My partner and I have talked about relocating and working in the same sector in the UK or Ireland, but it makes no sense without a clear-cut vision. If I can stay in Barcelona for at least a year, I would be able to maximise my potential as a guide and leave a good legacy. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, The Frustrated One

I think you’ve highlighted part of the issue when you mention having a ‘clear-cut vision’.

While reading your letter, I was wondering why this question has arisen now, and what’s really bothering you? As a professional guide who’s worked across other cities, why are you grappling with this now and what is it that you’re ultimately trying to ‘fix’? Is this the first time you’ve worked with a pay scheme that provides an inconsistent income?

You say that you’d like to remain in Barcelona and make it work. What would make it easier for that to happen? More importantly, what is really at the heart of the issue? Is this about the company you’re working for, or the instability of your income and, subsequently, your life?

For example, are you dissatisfied with the way your company is run? Are you looking for a job with a stable monthly income so you know exactly how much you’ll be making each month?

Or is there something else?

The other question worth exploring is the vision you have for yourself and your future.

What’s important to you right now in your life?

Grab a piece of paper, go for a drink and write down everything that comes to mind. Don’t overthink it, just write things down in a stream

of consciousness. The better you’re able to understand what matters to you, the easier it will be to make important decisions.

Finally, I would like you to try an exercise called ‘Tolerations’ to uncover the root of your frustration. Frustration is rarely an emotion that appears by itself—it’s usually linked to a host of other feelings, often stemming from anger and usually implying that there are a lot of things that you’re tolerating, but not fully enjoying, in your life. We often tolerate more than we think, and this impacts our ability to envisage a clear path for the future and move forward in a productive, meaningful way.

Tolerations • Write down a list of the things you’re currently tolerating in all aspects of your life—things you’re ‘putting up with’, but don’t enjoy.

• Look through the list and see if there is anything that you can remove, reduce, fix, resolve or do differently.

• Keep the list and come back to it every week or every two weeks with the aim of cutting it down until there’s nothing, or very little, left.

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

Hi Frustrated One,

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