The wind and the pollen of the plane tree, unwanted co-stars of Sant Jordi

The wind and the pollen of the plane tree, unwanted co-stars of Sant Jordi

The Sant Jordi festival once again transforms Barcelona and other cities and towns in Catalonia into a sea of books and roses from early morning, with crowds in its streets on a very emblematic day despite falling on a weekday. This year, along with flowers and reading, the protagonists in cities like Barcelona are the wind and pollen, especially that from plane trees that flies over many streets and causes eye and throat irritation for many citizens.

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Sliced life

Sliced life

“We are no longer fed crumbs/we want the whole bread” are some verses from the song Tot explota pel cap o per la pota from the album A Alcoi (1974), by Ovidi Montllor, which has become an anti-capitalist anthem. They mean that simple people, the humiliated and offended of

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Rodoreda lysergic

Rodoreda lysergic

Every now and then, La mort i la primavera resurfaces with force, like a hibernating animal. Rodoreda wrote it between 1961 and 1963, and let it sleep. Apparently, she resumed it between 1981 and 1983. Although there is no solid evidence of the latter, I personally deduce from her

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Illa: “Catalunya is living today the time of solutions”

Illa: “Catalunya is living today the time of solutions”

“If we take a look at our most recent past and if we broaden our view to international developments, we will become aware that Catalonia has left behind the time of paralysis and indecision. Catalonia has left behind the time of division and confrontation. Catalonia is living today the time of solutions to transform the country.” In the traditional institutional message from the President of the Generalitat for Sant Jordi, Salvador Illa has this year painted an optimistic picture of Catalonia, based on an analysis of the global situation, where armed conflicts carry great weight, but also based on the internal diagnosis. Illa believes that “Catalonia is on the move and determined.”

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The King seals the “fruitful dialogue” between Mexico and Spain in his praise of Gonzalo Celorio's work

The King seals the “fruitful dialogue” between Mexico and Spain in his praise of Gonzalo Celorio’s work

We thank Gonzalo Celorio for representing, in his work and in his life, that fruitful dialogue between tradition and creation, between memory and future, between Mexico and Spain. For ultimately enriching our language and our literary heritage.” With these words, the King certified this Thursday the enduring union of both countries, “more than brothers,” in the Cervantes Prize award ceremony to the Mexican writer that took place in the main hall of the University of Alcalá de Henares.

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