catalan way

The Salone de Gusto Food Expo begins today in Turin, Italy. The expo will offer Catalan wine tasting paired with cold cut meats and cheeses.

Trains with origins and destinations in Catalonia will be managed by the Catalan Government beginning in 2011. Medium-speed trains (called Avant) are not included. A commission will quantify the cost of the service. The agreement follows what has already been agreed on in the Catalan Statute of Autonomy, approved in 2006.

The project funded by the Institut Ramon Llull –the institute promoting Catalan language and culture abroad– aims to promote the use of Catalan beyond the areas of Romance Language Studies and Philology.

The Celler de Can Roca Restaurant, which owes 3 Michelin stars and has been rated by 5th best restaurant in the world by Restaurant Magazine, participated in the campaign ‘Tinc sang de Sibarita’ (I have Sybarite blood) that aims to promote blood donation.

Candidates from all the parties represented in the current Catalan Parliament participated in the pioneer initiative ‘Twittervista’, an interview made by the citizens via Twitter. From the 6 parties, 3 party leaders and 3 other main party figures all on the ballot for the November elections participated. The avalanche of questions caused some technical problems, which were mostly solved.

The UK rating agency stresses that measures to cut public expenditure will have to be accelerated. The recent decision by the Catalan Government to issue bonds to obtain cash have influenced the agency. Moody’s is sticking to its short-term rating and lowers-down the long-term one. The Government will now have more difficulties in getting funding in international markets.

The world famous chef Ferran Adrià is directing a symposium at Harvard University this autumn which blends cuisine and chemistry. Catalan cuisine is the pillar of the symposium, which is the first of its genre at the prestigious university. Next week, the chef Carme Ruscalleda, who boasts 3 Michelin stars and the award-winning chef Nandu Jubany will perform their master classes.

These levels have not been recorded since November 2008. However price raises stabilised in relation to August, particularly because of the price decrease of organised trips.

A new exhibition is presenting a 50-year retrospective of industrial design pieces that were awarded with the Delta Prize, from the ADI-FAD Association. The show attempts to place the designs in their historical, political and cultural context.

Over 1,600 people have signed a virtual petition for a Catalan translation of twitter. The initiative was started by the Catalan journalist Albert Cuesta.

A new initiative kicked off Wednesday at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival to broaden the presence of Catalan films on an international scale. VEOcatalanfilms.cat will offer streaming of Catalan cinema for industry professionals.

Citizens will be able to buy treasury bonds of the Catalan Government’s debt worth 1,000 euros each at a 4.75% interest rate. In the framework of the electoral campaign, the Opposition denounced that the Catalan Executive has “its drawers empty, without money”. The Catalan Government has denied this and accused the opposition of being irresponsible in order to get votes.

The EU Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) will be reformed. Catalonia wants to have a say in the future of the CAP. To do so, it is lobbying together with other European regions that lead fruit and vegetable production. A joint declaration with 10 ways to improve the sector has been agreed on.

11 artists from around the world are exhibiting their pieces that ‘reflect upon current social problems’. The exhibition is a result of collaboration with the Institut Ramon Llull and the Catalan Ministry of External Relations.

3 Michelin star Catalan chef Joan Roca of the restaurant Celler de Can Roca speaks about his worldwide success, traditional cooking methods and the concept of Catalan cuisine. The Celler de Can Roca was ranked the 5th best restaurant of the world by Restaurant Magazine.