Spain declares Primavera Sound and Gaudí centenary 'events of exceptional public interest'

Just weeks after the "powerpuff girls of pop" Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and around 150 or so other acts thrilled the masses at Primavera Sound, Barcelona's biggest music festival has been declared an "event of exceptional public interest" by the Spanish government. 

The Spanish executive approved the designation of several cultural events as "events of exceptional public interest" on Tuesday, including Tàpies Year; the program Barcelona Music Lab: The Future of Music; and the 150th anniversary of the birth of cellist Pau Casals.

Other events include the 25th anniversary of Petit Liceu, bringing opera to children; the Joan Miró Foundation 50th anniversary program; the celebration of the Gaudí centenary 2026; the 50th anniversary of Teatre Lliure; the Porta Ferrada and Dansàneu festivals; and the Barcelona Mobile World Capital and Barcelona 2026 World Capital of Architecture initiatives. 

The designation allows companies that support these events to benefit from certain tax incentives.

As government spokesperson Pilar Alegría noted, the measure aims to promote private funding of social, cultural, and sporting events.

Catalan commemorations for 2026

Meanwhile, the Catalan government has approved its list of official commemorations for 2026, which will include tributes marking the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death and the 150th anniversary of the passing of engineer and urban planner Ildefons Cerdà, known for designing the grid system in Barcelona's Eixample district.

The government will also celebrate the 150th anniversaries of the births of Josep Irla, Catalan president in exile, and cellist and composer Pau Casals.

The list, approved at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, also includes plans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of La Bressola, the network of Catalan-language schools in Northern Catalonia (France), and the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Monastery of Pedralbes.