Catalan News: FCB Defends Use of Catalan!

http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/2012/12/05/barcelona-soccer-club-defends-use-catalan/OPEzA3TpkpXrmYIwYGqhAJ/story.html

I read an article that came out today about Football Club Barcelona’s response to the recent proposal drafted by Spain’s minister of education, culture and sport, Jose Wert.  Mr. Wert, a couple weeks ago, announced his plans to change the current education legislation so that it would be mandatory in all parts of Spain to teach Castilian.  I did not know this until reading the article, but in Catalunya, Spanish classes are not obligatory in state schools, but rather are optional to the students.  This new law would mean that every child and student would be forced to take Castilian language courses, to which FC Barcelona replied, “Our language, like our club, is an element of integration which permits us to identify with our country [Catalunya]”.  This region uses an “immersion teaching” system which propagates the use of its language, and this proposed change to legislation would essentially be another form of killing the Catalan language.  The football club also added that it “energetically asserts its right to use the Catalan language and the model of language immersion that has been in force in Catalonia over the last 34 years.”

It is very nice to hear how supportive the club is for this region of Spain and its historic culture.  The best way to keep Catalunya from dying away is to have such strong supporters like FCB, because people from across the country and the world will listen to them!  I think this new legislation they want to pass is ridiculous, because it does not take into account the local customs of the various regions in Spain.  Instead, the government in Madrid is trying to blanket the entire country with their policies and their beliefs, which kills culture!  This is something that gets me very angry, because I took a class on globalization in the world, and this is exactly the sort of topic we would discuss.  Just because one civilization does something their way, doesn’t mean the rest should have to do the same.  Societies and cultures are unique for a reason, and that should not change!  I only hope the minister of education will not be successful in his attempt.

Field Trip to El Raval

Today’s field trip to the Raval district has been my favorite out of the three class trips we have taken.  I say this not because of the amazing architecture or specific historical landmarks we visited, but because it is the most true Barcelona and Catalan place.  What I mean is that this part of town is where locals go and meet up to hang out for a bit, to skateboard for example, or to go to bars and relax.   I got the feeling while in the area that this is the place where I can truly immerse myself into Spanish culture.  I loved every minute of the trip and all I could think about was coming back here as soon as possible. 

I also loved the open spaces and plazas that were everywhere in that area, because they made it seem warm and welcoming for families and visitors.  El Universitat de Barcelona was also a highlight of the trip, because I easily saw myself attending that school and feeling at home.  It was right next to another plaza that was full of people and energy.  I enjoyed the museum with the crypt and it was really cool to hear that the city of Barcelona funds such places, which shows me how much everyone cares about preserving and showing their culture and history.  Hopefully when the crypt opens back up to visitors next week, my friends and I will attend. 

The last thing I can remember about the field trip that I really liked was all the street graffiti that I saw.  Before coming to Barcelona, I only thought of this as a problem and something that vandals do, but now after seeing all the amazing pictures and murals they have made, I think of it as a true form of art.  Some of the graffiti I saw today was quite amazing and inspiring, and I have included two of my favorite pictures that I took in el Raval as part of this blog.  I hope you think they are as interesting as I do!

Now that there are only a couple more weeks left here in Barcelona, I am starting to get nervous that I will not do everything that I still want to.  After seeing el Raval and all the interesting and fun things that it holds, I am angry I did not know about this place sooner!  That is my own fault, but at least I was able to see it before I return home to America.

Vanguardia International News: Plans for Mexico

           

            For my blog on international news from a Catalan newspaper, I decided to look at la Vanguardia, because I know it is the most popular newspaper in this region.  The article was about the newly elected president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, and his plans for the future of the country.  He is drastically trying to change Mexico for the better, so that its citizens can live prosperously and in peace.  Although I have heard about the country’s crime issue, I did not realize how big of a deal it really is, and it is the first thing Nieto is going to change for his people.  I also did not understand that this organized crime has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent people caught in the struggle.

            The article said that the president wants to improve the national economy and allow the people of Mexico get out of poverty.  It was said that millions of Mexicans don’t know where their next meal is coming from.  Additionally, he wants to add human rights including a universal pension system which will promise to help financially the bosses of the family.  After reading what I could understand from the article, it seems that this president is going to do a lot of good for his country and I got the feeling that he really does have a strong passion to change Mexico for the better.  I hope that he can actually fulfill all that he has promised, but only time will tell. 

elBulli to Sell its Wine Cellar

            

           Today I read online through a Catalan news website that the famous elBulli restaurant is completely selling everything inside its famous wine cellar.  The total value estimated of these wines is between 1,6-1,6 million euros and all the profit will go towards Ferran Adria’s newly created BulliFoundation, which will open its doors in 2014.  It is very sad to hear that they are getting rid of their wine cellar, because not only is it very famous, but it is something very personal to Adria and his partner Juli Soler.  It took around 27 years for them to collect the over 8.000 bottles of wine, which is not some small task.  Many of the bottles were designed especially for the restaurant, and were never meant to be sold to the general public.  Sotheby’s, the famous auction house will be holding two separate biddings for the cellar, one held in Honk Kong, and the other in New York City.

            Ferran refers to the collection as “unique and exceptional,” which for a man of such fame and taste, this is no small comment.  I hope that this three time Michelin-star winner knows what he is doing when he decided to sell the cellar, and I only wish the best for his new BulliFoundation.  It is very sad indeed that he will not be reopening the restaurant, because it has grown into something more than just a place to eat.  For me, it represents a gathering point for people across the world that have a passion for food and a desire for the unusual.  I can only hope that someday he will decide to once again start cooking for the people, but until that day comes I can only wait.

Catalan Politics

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/11/26/uk-spain-catalonia-idUKBRE8AP0EJ20121126

         

            Above is the link to the article I read about yesterday's elections in Catalunya, which of course have been highly publicized and debated over for the past month and beyond.  The ERC has now doubled its representation in the Catalan parliament, and the CiU lost 12 seats bringing their total to 50.  This means, although still in power with Mr. Mas in charge, they will need to form an alliance with the ERC in order to hold their position.  It is unfortunate for Mr. Mas, because they were hoping to win absolute majority with 68 seats, which would make it much easier to push for a referendum for Catalan independence.  Now they will have to team up with their rivals in order to push for nationalism, which will most surely be a more difficult challenge since their viewpoints are never the same.  Although both of these parties are for this cause, I have heard that the ERC will not support any of Mas's plans for fiscal stability in Catalunya.  Mas however does not have much of a choice at this point, and I think it is best for him and his party to make an alliance in order to better their own position and remain in power.

          The political system in Spain is much different than the one used in America.  Firstly, there are only two main political parties, the democrats and the republicans, which means that it is much easier to choose a side since there are less to choose from.  With 5 or more parties here in Spain, it seems very difficult for things to actually get accomplished because so many are fighting each other for the same spot.  With such an economic crisis Spain is currently dealing with, it makes this whole ordeal even harder because so many citizens of Catalunya are upset over what has been happening.  The unemployment rate is up, and people are now turning to independence as their source for an answer.  I am not sure what will happen to this region in the next coming months and years, but I hope whoever is in charge will find a peaceful and successful solution to this growing problem.Whether independence is best for Catalunya or not, I do feel drastic changes are needed in order to stop the economy from failing even more.

            I have still a lot to learn about the various parties in this region of Spain, and the topics for debate are too vast for me to understand in one semester.  Being here for these elections has been one of the most interesting and exciting times in my life because it is clear how important they are for the people of Catalunya.  My parents even told me last week that the news stations in America plan to have full coverage of the elections, which shows me just how important they are for not just Spain, but the world.  Once I return to my country, I will definitely stay aware with what is going on here in Barcelona because I have now started to become a supporter of independence.  Of course I know so little compared to actual Catalans, but I do understand the basic arguments for this cause, and I agree with them.  Only time will tell what ends up happening for this region, but no matter what happens I hope it will fix their economy and job employment rates.  The two pictures attached I took during the festival of La Merce.  If you look closely at the picture directly above, Artur Mas and his staff are standing on the balcony of the goverment building.  They were actually getting booed while I was there!