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.