catalonia

The 11th of September is Catalonia’s National Day, commemorating the day that Catalan troops were defeated while defending Barcelona in 1714. This day Catalonia stopped being recognised as a nation and lost its self-government. Pre-campaigning for the upcoming elections was present throughout this year’s celebrations. The celebration had 2 institutional milestones: the flower tribute to Rafael Casanova, who was Barcelona’s Head Councilman in 1714, and the institutional ceremony at Ciutadella Park. Besides, many institutional and civil society activities were organised throughout Catalonia, such as concerts, demonstrations and tributes.

Several foundations from Catalan-speaking territories have launched a newsletter that will portray opinion articles published in the Catalan press but translated into English. The newsletter ‘Intransit’ will be thematic and issued every 3 months. The initiative aims to better present Catalan views abroad.

Two hundred people got together in London this Wednesday to celebrate in advance the National Day of Catalonia, which is celebrated on the 11th of September. At the event, attendees had indulged in gourmet Catalan products such as cava and participated in other Catalan traditions.

Aragon, the Balearic Islands and the Valencian Community each presented a different appeal before the Court against some articles and dispositions of Catalonia’s main law, the Statute of Autonomy, which was approved in 2006 by a referendum. The magistrates have completely rejected Aragon and the Balearic Islands’ appeals and have “not admitted” the appeal from the Valencian Community.

August ended with 555,894 unemployed people registered within the Catalan Public Employment Service (SOC). 4 months in a row of continuous decreases has come to an end. This figure means 16,703 more unemployed people, 3.10% more than those who registered in July.

According to data from the Catalan Ministry of Employment, the number of unemployed people receiving additional job training education is 49.6%, exceeding the European average by 16.3%. Among young people, many are dropping out of the courses to return to formal education.

Catalan chef Ferran Adrià is stepping out of the kitchen to lend a helping hand to tourism. He has proposed a new touristic project for the Costa Brava town of Roses, where his world-famous restaurant El Bulli is located. The project includes a natural and gastronomic route through the village.

The Catalan Minister for Innovation, Universities and Businesses, Josep Huguet, has called out to tourist agencies, asking them to develop more creative touristic offers. His plea comes at a time when the tourist industry is rising. The month of August shows a 90% occupancy of the hotels along the Catalan coast.

The Programme for Maternity Health’s birth registry has published data that shows that 30% of newborns in Catalonia have a mother with a foreign nationality. Also, 52% of teen births between 14 and 17 years old were of mothers from a foreign nationality.

The Catalan chef will close his renowned restaurant, El Bulli, on 30 July 2011, but he aims to promote Catalonia’s elite cuisine as the best in the world and urges others to do the same.

In June, up to 1,264 new businesses were started in Catalonia, according to official figures published by the Spanish Institute of Statistics

Catalan towns such as L'Escala or Corbera del Llobregat organize events that combine tasting evenings with outdoor musical concerts.

Councils of el Vendrell and Calafell negotiate with blanket street vendors in a move to regulate their activities and to avoid illicit competition with local businesses

NGOs in Catalonia meet to prepare an aid strategy for the victims of the recent heavy flooding in Pakistan. They are ready to act as soon as international organisations decide exactly what is needed in the field

Official figures indicate that around 7,700 buildings were built in Catalonia in the first six months of 2010; more than half the number constructed in the whole of 2009