Culture

‘The Selected Stories of Mercè Rodoreda’ is the book’s title. It is the second English translation of this Catalan author from the second half of the 20th century.

Roser Capdevila created the 'The Triplets' in 1983 based on her own three daughters. The stories of the three sisters have been published all around the world and the author has decided to offer the original paintings to the Catalan Library.

The British film director Peter Greenaway was the guest of honour at the international documentary festival that took place in Barcelona from the 1st to the 6th of February. With up to 42 screenings all around the city, the festival showcased the crème de la crème of documentary making. In the end, the American documentary 'Foreign Parts' scooped the top award for best film this year and 'Enemies of the People', a chronicle of the horrific genocide of the Khmer Rouge won the Catalan Public Television prize for Human Rights

Lluís Miñarro’s documentary film ‘Finisterrae’ scooped a top award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. The film is directed by the manager of the International Sònar Music Festival in Barcelona, Sergio Caballero. This was his first ever movie and it was actually the image of last year’s Sónar Festival. Rotterdam’s jury awarded ‘Finisterrae’ impressed for its riskiness.

The 2011 edition of the rock-pop festival Primavera Sound will be even bigger with 20,000 square meters more and a brand new bigger and stage. In total there will be 8 simultaneous stages, 2 of them for large concerts.

Photojournalist Gervasio Sánchez culminates a decade of his work with a new exhibition called ‘Disappeared’. He has pictured the pain of family members who face the loss of a relative disappeared by a dictatorial regime. The work is shown simultaneously in Barcelona, Madrid and León.

Marta Casals asks the Spanish Government to ask the UN to recuperate the anthem that 40 years ago Pau Casals especially composed. The anthem was used in the seventies, under U Thant’s term, and then forgot. The famous cellist wrote a song for peace.

Valls experienced one of the most spectacular and unique Catalan events. Over 57 groups came together to build traditional human towers

In commemoration of the declaration of the Catalan Republic, 500 voluntary actors dress-up in 1930's style to participate in the film production, '14 April. Macià against Companys', a review of the declaration of the Catalan Republic, which lasted only a few days.

A tribute concert to the internationally renowned Catalan cellist and conductor Pau Casals took place in Washington DC. The memorable concert brought Marta Casals back to her husband’s performance in the White House in 1961, in front of President John F. Kennedy.

Representatives from the Mediterranean Fair of Manresa will take part in the world's largest winter music festival this year, Celtic Connections. Between the 27th and the 30th of January, a number of Catalans will be in the city of Glasgow taking part in the performance 'Showcase Scotland'.

According to the Publishers Association of Catalonia, the book sector made a 10% loss last year. Books in Catalan represent 26.5% of the domestic market, 1.1% more than in 2009.

According to the artistic director of the festival Josep Maria Dutra "this year has the best line in the history of the festival”. The festival combines a broad international representation with a small Catalan one.

After 50 years of performing, the Catalan opera soprano Montserrat Caballé said she will step down in two years with a farewell tour. The Catalan diva is considered one of the world’s greatest sopranos of the 20th century. Her popularity increased while singing with Freddy Mercury the song “Barcelona”.

Eduard Fernández won Best Actor while 'Heroes' finished empty handed despite being nominated in ten categories.