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Writer Teresa Solana, Brown University Professor Enric Bou, university professor Mary Ann Newman and translator Peter Bush all took part in a debate on Catalan literature and culture at the New York Pen World Voices Festival. The complexity of translating from the Catalan language, the differences between normative Catalan and the 21st century language and the rich tradition of its literature all emerged as key elements of a debate moderated by writer Aleksandar Hemon.

Plensa is the artist behind the famous ‘Crown Fountain’ in Chicago’s Millenium Park, as well as London’s blue light ‘Breathing’ located on the roof of the BBC’s Egton House, dedicated to journalists killed in action. ‘Echo’ is a giant white head with closed eyes, similar to ‘Dream’ set in Liverpool. Plensa’s sculptures deal with human forms, communication, emptiness and a globalised identity.

Catalan Olga Fontanillas is the founder of this NYC-based company. She assures this is the best time to break into the American market.

Custo Barcelona and Toni Francesc are on show this week in New York. Their latest fashion creations for the next Winter-Fall season are being modelled along side work from 100 designers from all over the world as part of the famous New York Fashion Week.

"Although there is a very high standard in Barcelona, the clients are not the same”, this is the opinion of a Catalan web developer who is currently based in Manhattan. This is his story.

Esther and Dylan Jeannotte are celebrating Christmas this year in New York with their two children. While their Christmas celebrations are very American, native Catalan Esther is slowly incorporating Catalan traditions such as the ‘caga tió’ and ‘sopa de galets’.

Valencia-born architect Rafael Guastavino incorporated the Catalan vault system in over 300 buildings in Manhattan. Famous buildings such as the Grand Central Station, Saint John the Divine Cathedral, the Queensboro Bridge and the City Hall subway station, were built using this technique popularised in the U.S. by Guastavino.

The Spanish Cinema Now Film Festival began last Tuesday in New York’s Lincoln Center. The festival is honouring Mallorcan film director Agustí Villaronga this year, who mainly shoots his films in Catalan language.

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibition that juxtaposes Catalan artist Joan Miró’s work with Dutch Golden Era paintings that he was inspired by.

Eight Catalan films premiere in London, while New York inaugurates the theatrical festival ‘Spotlight Catalonia’.

Catalan fashion designers Custo Barcelona and Toni Francesc are currently exhibiting their Spring-Summer collections at New York Fashion Week. Custo Barcelona’s collection is inspired by geometric shapes and graphic prints, while Toni Francesc seeks out environmental stability in his pieces this year.