Catalan cuisine fills the classrooms of Harvard
Renowned Catalan chefs Ferran Adrià, Joan Roca and Carme Ruscalleda are participating in a Harvard University course aimed at strengthening the bonds between science and cooking.
catalan way
Health sector 'essential' for Catalonia's economy
Catalan Minister Marina Geli says that the health industry is “very important”. She presented a report by the Catalan Government that indicates that the Catalan health industry has a Gross Value Added of 9%
Caixa Laietana enters a merger to create Spain's strongest savings bank
The Catalan financial entity approves 'cold merger' with 6 other Spanish savings banks in a move expected to create 'positive' results for Catalonia. The new savings banks will keep the brands of the 7 merging entities. The project is lead by Caja Madrid, which was Spain’s second savings bank after the Catalan La Caixa
CatalunyaCaixa will be the name of the second Catalan savings bank
Today the new name and image of the second Catalan savings bank as a result of the Caixa Catalunya, Caixa Tarragona and Caixa Manresa merger was presented. CatalunyaCaixa will be the new brand, which has been decided upon after negotiations and strategic studies. CatalunyaCaixa has not yet decided if it will look for more capital.
More than 300 people celebrated Catalonia’s National Day in Paris
The Paris Delegation of the Catalan Government celebrated the National Day, which is on the 11th of September, in an official reception this Tuesday. The event attracted over 300 people from French and Catalan political and social life.
New university teachers will have to certify a minimum knowledge of Catalan
The Catalan Government has passed a decree that sets a minimum requirement for the Catalan language when hiring new university teachers. Visiting lecturers and current teachers are excluded. Universities will have flexibility in certifying the level and will be able to set individual exceptions.
230,000 Catalan university students will start the school year in the new European Higher Education Area
233,538 students in 954 programmes throughout Catalonia will begin the 2010/2011 school year in the new European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The EHEA is an objective of the Bologna Process to create a common and compatible university system throughout Europe.
Catalan Government promotes individualised, family-based approach to Alzheimer’s treatment
The Catalan Ministry of Social Care calculates a total of 80,000 diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease patients in Catalonia, a number that is expected to double in the next 10 years. The Ministry is now promoting a new attention model for Alzheimer’s patients based on individualised therapy and family collaboration.
Housing sales increased by 34% last July in Catalonia
The data compares to July of 2009 and confirms an 8-month trend of continuous increases. For the rest of Spain, there has been an increase of 16.4%. This data confirms construction market’s recovery.
Catalonia’s National Day pays tribute to Catalan language in highly politicised atmosphere
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.
Inflation rises in August in Catalonia, reaching 2.1% in the last 12 months
Prices have risen 0.3% during August compared with July, levelling the annual rate. Tourist industries such as hotels, restaurants, bars and organised trips have contributed to the rise in prices. In July, prices dropped by 0.3% in relation to June.
New newsletter with opinion articles from Catalan press in English
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.
Spanish Constitutional Court rejects 3 appeals against the Catalan Statute of Autonomy
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.
Catalan public TV channels will be watched in Catalan-speaking part of Aragon
Catalonia and Aragon agree to broadcast TV channels from the Catalan Public Broadcaster in La Franja de Ponent. In previous years, watching Catalan TV channels in Aragon was a problem, as the frequencies were used on purpose by other channels to boycott the emissions.
The Catalan Government will guarantee pensions in couple separation cases from 2011
Some 1,300 families will soon have access to government pensions in cases of family separation if the pension is not paid by the part with this duty. The Catalan Government approved the funds today that will cover pensions and alimentary compensation for those in this situation.