new year

The second month of the year brings science, lights, love, Carnival and the Chinese New Year

Farmhouses, a Times Square-like party, LGBT events… and plans for the morning after

Around 60,000 people from the most populated country in the world live in Catalonia, including 20,000 in the capital

Tension between Barcelona and Madrid is set to decline, with the road to independence on a slow track, but with Puigdemont’s potential imprisonment threatening to inflame it all again

From the mass demonstration in favor of hosting refugees to the independence declaration, it has been one of the most intense years ever in Catalonia

From fireworks and music in Barcelona’s Plaça Espanya to torchlit parades in ski resorts in the Pyrenees

From fireworks and music in Barcelona’s Plaça Espanya to torchlit parades in ski resorts in the Pyrenees

The Chinese community welcomed the 'Year of the Goat' last week. The biggest New Year festivity took place this Saturday, when a parade of a thousand people filled the Barcelona streets with a trail of red dancing dragons and lions. This is the second year that Chinese organisations and Catalan folklore groups, such as Catalonia's traditional human tower builders (‘castellers’) and the traditional giant figures representing kings, knights and princesses called ‘gegants’, joined together to celebrate Chinese New Year. Almost 10,000 spectators lined the parade route through the streets of the Eixample district in the centre of the city. Barcelona has 17,400 Chinese inhabitants, the third largest foreign population, after the Pakistani and the Italian communities; however a great number of Chinese people live in the surrounding towns of Greater Barcelona.  

Logs that poo presents, men with 365 noses, and cakes with hidden surprises, Christmas in Catalonia has many of its own unique traditions. These include 'Caga Tió' - a log that brings edible goodies  to children; live nativity scenes featuring 'El Caganer' - a humorous hidden figure to bring good luck, and 'El Tortell de Reis' a cake that can turn you into a King. While the Santa-led celebration on the 25^th is becoming increasingly important due to marketing and globalisation, in Catalonia traditionally the biggest day (when children receive presents) is the 6^th of January, which is the 'Dia de Reis' (Day of the Kings), when kids wake up and discover presents brought by the Three Wise Men. The night before, the Three Kings parade around the main cities and towns, forming a big colourful and festive procession.

Barcelona’s Magic Fountain of Montjuïc will stop working from this Tuesday until the 6^th of February for maintenance reasons and also to improve its lighting and sound features. During this period of time, new colour LEDs will be installed along with a recirculation pump and two webcams while the sound system will be improved. The Magic Fountain, which attracts 2.5 million visitors each year, closes after several busy weeks, during which it offered Christmas carols and traditional music to tourists. It also played a part in New Year’s Eve festivities or the celebration of the Three Wise Men’s arrival in Barcelona.

As many other cities around the globe, the Catalan capital will end the year with a vibrant street party for the first time ever. The tradition will start in 2013 and it is aiming to become a significant tourist attraction. New Year’s Eve celebrations will be “out of the ordinary”, stated the President of Barcelona’s Tourism Board, Joan Gaspart, during the presentation of the event. “Barcelona deserves, along with the numerous events it hosts each year, to hold something special for the last day of the year, just like many other cities in the world”, he added. The celebrations will be held at Maria Cristina Avenue, in front of Montjuïc’s Magic Fountain. Catalan theatre group ‘La Fura dels Baus’ will be in charge of the staging, featuring an impressive 15-meter-tall human figure.

2011 has been a year marked by the austerity measures undertaken by the new Catalan Government, who took office just one year ago; budget cuts to reduce the public deficit and fight the financial crisis, which sparked protests. Socially, 2011 has been a tense year, with the highest unemployment figures in a decade, strikes, and the ‘indignados’. It has also been a year of political changes: the Catalan Nationalists (CiU) have consolidated their position as Catalonia’s hegemonic party and the PP won in the whole of Spain except in Catalonia and the Basque Country. International opportunities have arrived: the Mediterranean Railway Corridor has been declared a European Union priority, Barcelona has been confirmed the Mobile World Capital and ‘Pa Negre’ will represent Spain at the Oscars. And FC Barcelona is the best team in the world!