Silent Strength exhibition by Liu Xia in Barcelona

The exhibition features 26 snapshots taken by the photographer, painter and poet, one of the best-known artists in China today, whose works have ironically been banned from being exhibited in her own country. Liu Xia cries out in silence, pleading for freedom of expression, the main thrust of her works, which are now on display at Montjuïc Castle.

This travelling exhibition is of special importance given that, before it was launched in France in October 2011, its photographs could only be seen in private or on the internet.

And that is because the photographer, the wife of the activist Liu Xiaobo, has been under house arrest since 2010, the year in which her husband (a prisoner since 2009 and for eleven years, for having publicised a manifesto in favour of democratic transition in China) received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Xia’s work, in black and white, is clearly influenced by calligraphy. The exhibition features photos taken between 1996 and 1999 which show both national rebirth and repression in today’s China.

Gaping dolls that say nothing. These are the subjects of the photos making up the exhibition.

From 14/02/2013 to 24/03/2013
Castell de Montjuïc -> Ctra Montjuïc, 66 | Sants-Montjuïc

Liu Xia: Silent Strength

Barcelona with children: Backpack baby

Travelling with kids to Barcelona allows you to discover a lot of interesting places and activities out of the mainstream. For instance, museums such as Museu Marítim, with its old ships and cool audiovisual displays; or the deliciously sweet and small Museu de la Xocolata or the enjoyably creepy wax figures of the Museu de Cera and the interactive CosmoCaixa, a mecca for knob-twiddling kids of all ages.

Weather in Barcelona is always inviting you to discover the parks of the city. A walk around Montjuïc, including exploration of its atmospheric Castle, should appeal. The sheer weirdness of Gaudí’s Park Güell will have older children intrigued, while younger kids usually like the dragon at Parc d’Espanya Industrial and the laberynth in Horta.

Backpack Baby: Your travels made easy!

Travelling with babies or toddlers? Backpack Baby offers you a complete range of child care facilities: from a stroller, cot, high chair, car seat, buggy, carrier or any product you may need. Rent it for days, weeks or months and deliver it in Barcelona and surroundings. Useful and convenient. They can also purchase basic childcare products to have everything ready upon your arrival.

At Backpack Baby do their best to enable you to travel light. Contact them for your family travels!

Barcelona Buff Epic Run 2011

The city’s most congenial annual race, amazing participants and the public alike, is back, kicking off at Montjuïc Castle at 11 am this Sunday 18 December.

And that is because the Buff Epic Run, an extreme obstacle race, leaves no-one unmoved, with its perfect combination of sport and laughter. An 8-km route that includes mud and foam swimming pools, tyre mountains, straw walls, rope mazes and other surprising obstacles. All that plus music and a big sausage fest.

Once again, it will be offering highly original prizes: from the oldest participant to the runner who travelled furthest to take part, as well as prizes for best group or individual fancy dress, given that fancy dress earns you points on this run.

What is more, for the second consecutive year, there will be a run specially devised for participants between the ages of 13 and 16, the Mini Buff Epic Run, which covers 1.5 km and sets off at 11.10 am.

There are fewer than 200 places left and the registration period closes today, 15 December.

Castell de Montjuïc -> Ctra Montjuïc, 66 | Sants-Montjuïc

Sala Montjuïc: open-air cinema this summer in Barcelona

A Barcelona summer evening classic is back. Sala Montjuïc is here again with more films and music in one to the city’s most spectacular settings, Montjuïc Castle.

This year, with sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 5 July and 6 August, it has a new, bigger screen. It is 16 x 9 metres, that is, 32 square metres more.

This year’s programme is a varied one that includes popular classics like Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange and Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday by Jacques Tati.

However, the “main dish” consists of more recent films, namely a selection of independent films popular with critics and the public, like the vampire movie Let Me In, the “anti-romantic” comedy In Search of a Midnight Kiss and the acclaimed French film The Class.

Apart from that, there will be a concert cinema session with The Gold Rush, by Charles Chaplin, accompanied by live music played by an orchestra conducted by Guerassim Voronkov.

The programme also includes animated films like My Neighbour Totoro from Japan and the documentary Waltz with Bashir. As for the closing film, you can vote for the one you like best out of three Catalan films.

The Sala Montjuïc programme is complimented by live concerts, prior to the film session, and there is also the chance to have a picnic. You can hire a deckchair too, so you are more comfortable.

Castell de Montjuïc -> Ctra Montjuïc, 66 | Sants-Montjuïc

Primavera Sound Festival celebrates 10 years at Montjuïc Castle

The line-up for the next Primavera Sound Festival, 10th edition, was dissected in the Anatomical Amphitheatre at the Royal Academy of Medicine of Catalonia, where the names were announced of over 40 artists who are appearing on 27, 28 and 29 May at Forum Park, in addition to the 60 or so already announced.

In all, approximately 170 artists will be taking part in a Primavera Sound celebrating its tenth birthday. The birthday party, about which hardly anything is known, will be held on 26 May at Montjuïc Castle.

So, this time it will be possible to see the Pet Shop Boys, who are appearing on Saturday 29 May in what will be the first performance of the year by the English electronic pop duo. Another historic band coming to the festival are The Charlatans performing their first album, Some Friendly.

In addition, Primavera will also have DJ, producer and composer Diplo, a genuine cult figure responsible for the sound of M.I.A., Santogold and Bonde do Role, as well as remixing Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Also coming to the festival are Marc Almond, master of cabaret pop; Broken Social Scene, back after five years of being involved in other projects; CocoRosie, the freak folk of the Cassidy sisters, and The Wave Pictures, heirs of Hefner.

Along with the Pixies, Pavement, Wilco and Low, already confirmed, the presence of Junip, the band with José González, has now been confirmed, as well as Gary Numan, synth-pop pioneer; The Slits, a historic post-punk outfit, and some of the successful bands from the last Primavera Club, like Beach House and Scout Niblett.

Local names include Nueva Vulcano, Biscuit, Emilio José, Half Foot Outside, Cohete, Delorean and Mujeres.

 

www.primaverasound.com