culture

During last year 8,217 human towers built. According to latest data, just 3.5% of the total number of human towers collapsed.

The city theatre offers 26 very different shows in its winter-spring season, which will focus on opera and Spanish-style operetta (zarzuela). Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’, Verdi’s ‘Aida’ and two zarzuelas respond to public demand for more classical-based shows.

The award will be presented on September 22nd at Barcelona’s Palau de la Música. The awards are named after Catalan writer Terenci Moix, who was a film lover and a true expert on Hollywood’s classical period.

Tàrrega, close to Lleida in Western Catalonia, will become the capital of the performing arts from the 8th to the 11th September, during which time the public can enjoy 261 performers. The fair is a mixture of a street festival and professional fair.

Organisers encourage the continued investment in the promotion of Catalan culture across Europe

The cultural facility is thought to be an adaptable building, a library of the 21st century. The project comes with more than 13 years of delay and it is the first ever Spanish Government-funded library in Barcelona.

The former president of Catalonia Jordi Pujol, the scientific Jordi Camí, the macroeconomist Jordi Galí, the entrepreneur Ferran Soriano and the architect Benedetta Tagliabue will discuss priorities for internationalising Catalonia. The panel debate will take place on Tuesday 25 January, at 19.30, at the MACBA Auditorium in Barcelona.

Artur Mas hired one of his former political adversaries for the top position at the Ministry of Culture. Ferran Mascarell also held this position in 2006, in the left-wing government coalition. Now, he comes back with a centre-right executive. Mascarell has extensive experience in cultural management, in the public and private sectors. He had a successful career in the Barcelona City Council and he was recently on the board of the RBA Editorial House, in charge of audiovisual products.

The Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture will see its budget decrease by 4.5% this year. Despite this, the centre has planned several exhibitions for 2011, including several photography exhibitions and conferences on themes such as immigration and the crisis.

The county of Garraf, 20 minutes South from Barcelona, has recently begun a new programme for tourists of the area, a route that combines elements of landscape, culture, and gastronomy. The itinerary includes panoramic views of the Garraf Natural Park and wine tasting, among other activities.

A new ?enotour? for tourists in the region of el Garraf combines beautiful scenery, culture and the opportunity to taste some of Catalonia?s most interesting, eco-friendly wines

'Come & See', or the International Stage Arts Market, is a showcase of Catalan theatre and dance for professionals of the international theatre scene. Some of the most internationally recognised Catalan performers participate.

Two exhibitions of the internationally recognised artist Miquel Barceló begins today and tomorrow at the Santa Mònica Museum of Art and the CaixaForum. The exhibition is a retrospective of the artist?s trajectory from his beginnings in 1973 until today.

Independent and avant-garde fashion designs are currently being showcased at the 6th edition of Barcelona?s 080 Fashion Fair. 2010?s fair brings 10% more exhibitors than last year.

The Catalan band The Pinker Tones has reached star status and is topping the charts throughout the Americas. CNA sat down with them for a look into their recent success.