catalan way

Schulz tells Mas he will “work hard” to permit the use of Catalan at the European Parliament

March 21, 2012 11:58 PM | CNA

The President of the Catalan Government, Artur Mas, met with the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, in Brussels. Mas told the press that Schulz had stated he would “work hard” to enable the use of Catalan at plenary sessions. However, Schulz did not confirm neither “any date” nor can he “guarantee that he would achieve it, as it does not only depend on him”, explained Mas.

25% of small cinema theatres in Catalonia could close due to the digitalisation costs

March 21, 2012 02:04 PM | Salomé Stühler

Catalan cinema is currently facing a new problem: Small picture houses may have to close due to the difficulties to re-equip their auditoriums with digital technology. On weekdays, lots of auditoriums are practically empty and ticket sales continue to fall. The process of digitalisation is so expensive that the Catalan Cinema Committee fears that one out of four cinemas in Catalonia could close.

Quebec finds qualified workers in Catalonia

March 20, 2012 11:12 PM | CNA / Victor Paradis / Esther Romagosa

Representatives from the Quebec Government have organised sessions to advertise job possibilities in their region. They are mainly looking for workers with technical skills, mainly in the sector of civil engineering, healthcare, and IT. The Catalan Government reached an agreement with Quebec to strengthen the professional mobility of Catalan workers. The participation of Catalan companies in the plans for economic development of the Quebecois Government is also promoted.

Fujitsu invests €12 million in its European sales centre, based in Barcelona

March 19, 2012 10:42 PM | CNA

The Japanese multinational company has chosen Catalonia’s capital for a new international sales centre serving the entire European Union. The centre will create 300 high-qualified jobs by 2013, when it will be fully operational. The President of the Catalan Government, Artur Mas, unveiled the new centre, while he pointed out the strong business relationship between Japan and Catalonia. He also emphasised the “business friendly policy” of the Catalan Government.

Catalan documentary shows the consequences of Iraq’s invasion through the eyes of one family

March 19, 2012 09:54 PM | CNA / Violeta Gumà / Janire Zurbano Arrese

‘La boda de la Rita: història d’una família iraquiana II’ ('Rita`s wedding: The story of an Iraqi family II') is the second part of ‘El viaje de Mazin’ (‘Mazin’s trip’), a unique Catalan documentary made in Iraq. The plot of the documentary talks about three Iraqis, members of the same family, who came to Barcelona in different moments.

The Catalan Government plans to modify the working conditions of 45,000 public employees

March 16, 2012 09:33 PM | CNA

The Catalan Government has drafted a plan regarding public employees for the 2012-2014 period. The aim is to reduce public spending in order to meet the deficit targets by reorganising civil servants, including their working conditions. The plan foresees the possibility of a reduction in salaries and working hours, as well as making their working conditions, tasks, and location more flexible. 6,800 temporary workers will have their hours reduced by 15% from April 1st. Unions have criticised the plan. However, the Catalan Vice President has asked unions to avoid exaggerating the issue and creating problems.

Goya highlights on show in Barcelona exhibition

March 15, 2012 11:20 PM | CNA

‘The Clothed Maja’, ‘the Quitasol’, ‘the Puppet’ or the ‘Witches Flight’ are some of the canvases included in the largest retrospective exhibition on Goya organised in Barcelona in the last 35 years. Held at the Catalan capital’s CaixaForum, the exhibition ‘Goya. Lights and Shadows’ is organised by the social work foundation of the Catalan bank La Caixa and the Prado Museum. 96 pieces of the Aragon master’s work, including oil paintings, drawings and picture cards, will be on display for free until May 24th.

Catalan Government to earn €300 million from new taxes in 2013

March 15, 2012 10:46 PM | CNA

The Catalan Ministry of Finance has confirmed the figures released on Thursday by the party running Catalonia’s Government. The drug prescription fee would add €180 million to the budget, and will also save money due to its dissuasive impact. The symbolic tourist tax, which will be implemented from November, would also bring in €60 million. The remaining €60 million will come from other taxes and public fees.

Sant Feliu de Guíxols to host temporary exhibitions from the Thyssen-Bornemisza until the museum is built

March 14, 2012 11:37 AM | CNA / Tània Tàpia / Marina Vicens

Every year, two temporary exhibitions from the Thyssen collection will be organised in the Catalan coastal town of Sant Feliu de Guíxols, in the Costa Brava, until the Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Center for Catalan Painting is built. The first exhibition will be at the Abbot’s Palace, where 60 works will be exhibited in May, combining a selection of Catalan painters and international artists from the 19th and 20th century.

The foundation to turn Barcelona into a world ‘hub’ of new technologies is born

March 13, 2012 11:48 PM | CNA

Barcelona was declared the Mobile World Capital last summer, and the organising city of the Mobile World Congress until at least 2018. Being the Mobile World Capital means that Barcelona aims to become one of the main world centres for the mobile industry. Furthermore, several projects will be based in the Catalan capital, such as a Mobile World Hub. A foundation has been created to promote these projects and attract investments. It is funded with € 30 million each from Barcelona City Council, the Catalan Government and the Spanish Government, and it is open to the private sector.