Well, we made it to Barcelona and I’m happy to report no sightings of Darth Vader or the Empire here. (You’re welcome universe) This is my third time here (charm) and each visit is better than the last. What really stands out this time is a city that is extremely passionate, creative, progressive, and just chalk (chock?) full of innovation.
For example, yesterday we visited the Olympic museum in Barcelona and learned how Barcelona used the games as a way of not only highlighting their city and newly found post-Franco democracy to the world, but also as a springboard for promoting physical activity and sport for future generations. The new facilities built are still in use today and are made available at a low cost for locals. (I got next on the gymnastics bars!!)
In the Paralympic section of the museum, a quote by Stephen Hawking stood out: “We are all special in our own way. Each one of us has a sparkle of fire inside, a creative force.” This is what I have noticed about the people here. So much originality and a sense of pride that goes along with it. And this seems to bleed into nearly every corner of the city.
Yesterday we took a bike ride (2 hrs, 8 miles, one crash) throughout many neighborhoods of the city and were shown so many works of public art. Statues, murals, architecture, gardens, street art….you name it. Hell even the coffee baristas are regularly flexing their creative muscles!! (Is that the Mona Lisa?)
Today we heard from Professor Oriol Marquet on the innovative ways in which Barcelona City Council has designed their city with the sole intention of promoting public health. This includes policies that limit noise, pollution, and heat in the city center while also maximizing biking and walking in the city center. And these policies work! Thoughtful and creative designs have resulted in one of the most densely populated cities in the world (50,000+ per square km) REDUCING pollution over the last 10 years. It can be done! (Gentle reminder to vote this fall)
We ended of the day with a visit to Camp Nou, which is the home to the world famous Barcelona football club. And when I say world famous, I mean it! One of their games last year attracted over 550 million viewers. That’s 4 times the viewership of the Super Bowl - that also included Bad Bunny! (an international treasure on his own IMO) And the stadium tour didn’t disappoint! The stadium is of course, under construction to add more seats to the most popular football club in the world. The immersive museum is actually THE most visited museum in Spain! (Sorry Prado, Sofia Reina, Picasso, Gaudi - maybe next time.) But what’s great about this club (and mini football clubs in Europe for that matter) is their dedication to social & economic causes. The stadium will be powered with solar panels and will serve a cauldron for collecting and storing rainwater. The club also dedicates close to one percent of all revenue to vulnerable populations in the region. In fact, the club motto “More than a club” - was coined in 1968 to signify the club being a symbol of Catalan culture, democratic values, and social responsibility.
These are all creative choices, certainly, but more importantly, they are decisions made in the best interest of its people. And that might be the thing I love most about this city.
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