catalan

Mas affirmed the beginning of a “national transition” towards the right of Catalans to decide on their own future. A new economic agreement with Spain is a priority in this direction. In addition, the new Catalan President will implement an economic reactivation plan, agreed together with the Parliament and the social agents. The new government will also have 2 expert advisory councils on Economics and Health, organised free of cost by professional associations. Mas also promised that, once the budget improves after the crisis, social policies will represent 55% of the public expenditure.

The main Catalan airport received 15,1% more passengers in November, in comparison with last year. However, Girona and Reus airports are losing passengers.

As expected, Núria de Gispert became the first woman to chair the Catalan Parliament, which has its origins in the 13th Century and is one of the oldest Parliaments in the world. The Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Coalition (CiU) holds 4 of the 7 positions within the Bureau, including the chair. The Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) has 2 posts and the Catalan People’s Party (PPC), 1. The 4 smaller parties were not represented in the Bureau.

Valencia-born architect Rafael Guastavino incorporated the Catalan vault system in over 300 buildings in Manhattan. Famous buildings such as the Grand Central Station, Saint John the Divine Cathedral, the Queensboro Bridge and the City Hall subway station, were built using this technique popularised in the U.S. by Guastavino.

The price increase is the result of the start of the winter season, in particular regarding clothing and shoe sales.

According to the President of the Associació Territori del Sénia, the olive oil has a smooth and balanced flavour. 12,000 bottles of olive oil were produced this harvest. They will be sold in speciality stores.

The World Cheese Awards, one of the most important awards in the world, recognised 9 Catalan cheeses, almost double the amount from last year. These are the most important awards in the cheese-making sector. They confirm the growth of Catalan cheese’s international projection.

The second most important person within the Centre-Right Catalan Nationalist Coalition, Convergència i Unió (CiU), will not form part of the new Catalan Government. Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida will remain in Madrid as the CiU’s spokesperson in the Spanish Parliament. He will be the Catalan Government’s main negotiator with the Spanish Prime Minister, Zapatero. The new Catalan Parliament resulting from the 28th of November elections will be formed next Thursday and the 129th Catalan President will very likely be elected before Christmas.

The Spanish Cinema Now Film Festival began last Tuesday in New York’s Lincoln Center. The festival is honouring Mallorcan film director Agustí Villaronga this year, who mainly shoots his films in Catalan language.

Ester Fabregat has decorated the façade of a Berlin library, which is her third project in the German capital. The sculpture is a colour explosion, bringing light to the grey winter weather. It depicts 3 human silhouettes swimming on the library façade and aims to give a “message of multiculturalism”.

Theatre group 'La Careta-Teatre' tried its best to get to the United Kingdom during the air traffic controllers strike. They had four shows scheduled in London and did not want to miss them.

Catalans are known throughout the world for their strong-rooted, but strange Christmas traditions. Among them include the ‘caganer’ (crapper), the ‘caga tió’ (poop log) and the traditional ‘pessebre’ (nativity scene).

Secondary school pupils in Catalonia are doing better in reading, math and science. Catalonia ranks 15th in reading skills, at the same level as Sweden and the United States

Thanks to a new generation of creative professionals, the confectionery sector in Catalonia has experienced a boom despite the economic crisis. Chocolate makers are particularly recognised internationally, with upfront names such as Oriol Balaguer and Enric Rovira.

The Catalan group presents 'Degustación de Titus Andrónicus' in Madrid, a show that mixes theatre and haute cuisine