Barcelona, city of the arts?

It is true that there was a time – not so long ago – when Barcelona was home to vibrant artistic creations, where art could be seen on every corner and you could just feel art in the air. There bars and speak-easies with friendly atmospheres where waiters served you with a smile. In most, you could enjoy good music or live theatre and breathe sublime and rigorous intellectualism with other clients. Strolling through the streets, people seemed more or less happy, but always with certain militancy in any activity of which promised to change the city for the better. But this attitude seems to have passed out of favour, a victim of its own inertia.

I do not know when or who decided to impregnate this city with the feature of disposability, but it’s a short term objective. Whoever wanted to put Barcelona ahead of other European cities and position it as the epicentre of modernity in one fell swoop perhaps obscured some of the traditions that made it so delightful. They invited renowned filmmakers to shoot in the streets and famous architects to build impossible buildings. Cultural organizations, both official and underground, promoted urban interests and organized countless summer festivals. Then they launched an aggressive campaign to reign in civic behaviour and stop the proliferation of drugs and prostitution, but curiously, many cultural activities also took a hit. Thus, they received the millions of thirsty young consumers of drinking culture- not art – with open arms.

That was how the self-proclaimed city of the arts has become well know as a destination wild parties and endless nights. The increased prices have stifled its inhabitants, and made many flee in exodus and leave the city open for new residents, many with deep pockets and bottomless beer mugs.

Viewing museums null activity has become more costly, and consequently, less popular, despite the one day a year, always very inconvenient, when they are open to the public for free, yet the many abandoned historic buildings of architectural significance attest to the spirit of artistic brilliance in decay. Still, given the traffic jams and chaos of streets and avenues, it is difficult to understand today’s Barcelona as a city of arts and culture. Unless mediocre electronic music, decaf, and expensive designer drugs are the latest fashion.

Nevertheless, this city continues to exude its old spirit despite recent changes, and you are sure to have an unforgettable experience if you get off the tourist track. I invite you to rent apartments in Barcelona and come to practice responsible tourism. Do as the residents do, and you are sure to uncover a rich and varied trove of buried cultural treasure.



Tags: art, Barcelona, bars, culture, drinking, gentrification