4th Barcelona Sports Film Festival

Almost 200 films have been entered for the 4th BCN Sports Film Festival, which is taking 60 sports-related films from 40 countries through to the competition. They include feature films, animations, and documentaries, with sport as the common theme, and the creativity and visual effects they showcase will establish the BCN Sports Film as an international benchmark.

There are projects from Catalonia, Spain, Latin America, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Holland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Romania, Russia, Singapore, the United States and Turkey, among other countries from the five continents – unmistakable proof of how the event has internationalised.

BCN Sports Film is more than a festival: a wide range of topics and formats, exhibitions, activities and events for professionals and for the general public, make the BCN Sports Film become a major cultural event: sports, television and film.

Museu Olímpic i de l’Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch de Barcelona | From 18/04/2013 to 20/04/2013
Av Estadi, 60 | Sants-Montjuïc

Free Stay in Barcelona at Hotel Paral·lel

For the first time and new in our blog, NN Experiences, the next free stay in Barcelona will be at Hotel Paral·lel.

The Hotel Parallel offers rewarded in a Junior Suite for 2 people. The newly refurbished Junior Suites are spacious with natural light, designer furnishings and private terrace. Located on avinguda Paral·lel, the hotel is conveniently close to Las Ramblas, the Port, as well as Montjuïc, the Magical Fountains, and Palau Sant Jordi.

The draw will take place from all the comments and reviews received from today until June 30, 2013.

The prize consists of:

• A two nights stay for 2 people at Hotel Paral·lel in a Junior Suite (buffet breakfast included).
• Bottle of Wine.
• To be used before: December 2013 (subject to availability).
• No changes can be made once the reservation has been confirmed.
• The prize can not be used in conjunction with other item or goods.
• The prize can not be exchanged for any other item or goods.
• The prize is personal and non-transferable.

Only people who have already stayed in one of our nine hotels and post a review on the blog are eligible for the prize. Winners will be advised via e-mail and their name and surname will be published on the blog. If you have any queries, please send a message to the following address: newsletter@nnhotels.com

Your comments and reviews are important to us… Good luck to all participants!

Barcelona prepares the X Games

The X Games are coming to Barcelona, offering a great sports show from 16 to 19 May. The Games will offer 14 disciplines in four categories of extreme sports: skateboarding, BMX, motocross and rallies.

Extreme sports legends who have already confirmed they’ll be taking part at this edition include the freestyle motocross rider, Travis Pastrana, famous for being the first rider to do a back flip, and Bob Burnquist, a skateboarder specialising in giant leaps. Other participants include the rally driver Ken Block and the motorbike stunt rider Robbie Madisson.

The freestyle motocross rider, Edgar Torronteras, born in Cardedeu, is one of the great Catalan hopes for a medal. “I can’t sleep. I’ve done a lot of training, I have to do whatever it takes to win that medal“, said Torronteras during the presentation of the Barcelona X Games. Torronteras is one of the pioneers in the Freestyle Moto X and will be taking part in the Best Whip and Speed and Style events.

The Barcelona X Games’ organisers have announced that they have already sold 20% of the tickets available. They expect some 140.000 persons to turn up, bringing the city an estimated turnover of 42 million euros a year.

[Barcelona X Games]

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

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2013

From 25 to 28 February, Barcelona will once again take centre stage in the mobile world. This edition of the Mobile World Congress, will be taking place in a new venue: on Fira Gran Via.

During the congress government representatives from 140 countries will also be visiting Barcelona to discuss the distribution of the spectrum to disseminate data and to respond to the growing demand for broadband which it entails.

As well as moving to Gran Via, the MWC will have new areas dedicated to networking which will be situated in the spaces between the pavilions and outdoors. The 70.000 expected visitors will have 300 Wi-Fi connection points and facilities on public transport for getting around, as well as a special security device.

The MWC will occupy all eight of the available pavilions, covering 94.000 square metres. This move from Montjuïc to Fira Gran Via means there is an additional 30% of exhibition space.

This year, there will also be demonstrations with NFC technology, which enables transactions to be carried out via mobile phones, both at the fair and at different points in the city. There will be screens using this technology distributed around the city, which will enable visitors to pay for different services using their mobile phone or to register to access the fair.

There will also be a demonstration of the “Connected City“, where visitors will be able to see the impact that mobile technology has on the urban environment.

Mobile World Congress – MWC

Montjuïc’s Magic Fountain out of service for maintenance works

In order to maintain the quality of the Montjuïc Magic Fountain and the Eix Maria Cristina, annual maintenance and improvement work will get underway on 7 January that will last until 14 February.

That means a temporary halt to the shows which, during the Christmas season, have mainly offered a repertoire of Christmas carols, both classical and modern. Light, water and music have combined with seasonal songs like Fum, fum, fum and El desembre congelat.

The annual maintenance includes cleaning, checks and disinfection of the installations. The glass and ducts of the Magic Fountain’s interior will be cleaned and disinfected. The electrical systems will also be improved and the sound and light equipment will be checked.

The Magic Fountain music and colour show will start again on 15 February, with choreographies planned every Friday and Saturday until 30 April.

Hotel Paral·lel Barcellona: Ottimo Rapporto Qualità/Prezzo!

Ho soggiornato presso l’Hotel Paral lel dal 1/12/2012 al 4/12/2012, con la mia compagna. L’hotel è davvero un’ottima combinazione di servizio, cordialità e professinalità. Situato in situazione tattica, a due passi dalla metro, si avvale di un’ottimo servizio ristorativo breakfast. Le camere sono ordinate, pulite e con letti molto comodi.Lo consiglio a tutti coloro che vogliono visitare Barcellona: ottimo rapporto qualità/prezzo!Complimenti a tutto lo staff!

MAURIZIO, December 2012.

B-Hotel: We look forward to future stays!

My colleague and I stayed at B Hotel. The staff was very friendly and helpful – they provided us with a great dinner recommendation. The room was also wonderful – clean – and the breakfast a great way to start our day. Thank you for all your hospitality. We look forward to future stays!

Jessica, December 2012.

Pleasant Hotel Barcelona Universal

Stayed at the Hotel Barcelona Universal for four nights on Aug 26th. The welcome on arrival was pleasant, when I mentioned my name, the receptionist remembered that I required a gluten free diet which I had put on my reservation. He told me to mention this in the restaurant and that they would provide me with gluten free bread, which they did.

The room on entry was dark as the only natural light into the room was an opaque glass window that looks onto the centre of the building . The room itself was quite small, but clean and well presented. The shower was a step into the bath, which was fine for us but may prove difficult for older or infirm guests.

We dined at the hotel restaurant on two occasions and found it to be reasonable value and the service and food was good. At breakfast we had a good choice and the staff were very helpful. All in our stay at the Universal was very pleasant and if I was going back to Barcelona, would not hesitate to stay there, although perhaps ask for an external view room.

Experience posted by William McCallum, August 2012.

Hotel Barcelona Universal: First class

So this was our 4th time satying in Hotel Barcelona Universal and once again the stay was first class… Myself and my girlfriend never get tired of staying in this hotel because everytime the wonderful and helpful staff produce a lovely touch for us… This time we had a bottle of champagne on arrival becasue they knew it was my girlfriend’s birthday… Previously they have also upgraded our rooms due to special occasions etc…

The breakfast buffet is outstanding and I would recommend adding it to your stay… It is only a 5minute walk to la rambla and the rooftop pool and views are excellent… I will definately be staying here again when myself and my girlfriend return to barcelona!!!

Experience posted by Conall, August 2012.

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