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The Festa del Gamper at Camp Nou
The preparations are underway for the new edition, number 47, of the Festa del Gamper, which is held each year atCampNouinBarcelona. It’s a great party, where football, of course, is the main focus. This year, as has been customary in previous editions, there will be another Italian team, the UC Sampdoria, who faces the extraordinary Barça on 20 August. Maybe it´s coincidence, maybe it´s fate, or possibly neither, but this edition will coincide with the 20th anniversary of the grand finale of the 1992 European Cup between FC Barcelona and UC Sampdoria. To remind the forgetful, that famous match was won by Barça in the 111th minute, during the last moments of the second overtime, by the indirect free-kick from defender Ronald Koeman. It was an exciting and memorable final at Wembley Stadium inLondon, where Barça first received the trophy they had been wanting for years.May 20, 1992 will forever remain in the memory of all fans since on that date the legendary team, the Dream Team, was confirmed. Now, after two decades, the emotions that accompanied that indelible match and the extraordinary victory of Barça will possibly re-emerge. But the Joan Gamper Trophy also means friendship and fellowship. It will be a party for all Barça fans not only because they will be presenting the new team of Tito Vilanova for the 2012/13 season, but also because there will be many fun activities for families and children. Thanks to Estrella Damm, the official sponsor of FC Barcelona and collaborator in the organization of the Festa del Gamper, families can take part in different activities throughout the stadium facilities...
Venice for Children
There are many destinations to visit this summer. The beach, the countryside, historic cities etc. Many opportunities await you during the holiday season to be discovered, while exploring a new world of experiences; ranging from food, rides, romances and drinks. Traveling is to recognize yourself as a different person in a whole new place. When you reach the age to start a family, surely you’ll realize that in addition to live with our family, we also have to travel with them. What a surprise! The truth is that as with many other changes in life, exploring the world with children can be a wonderful and enriching experience for both parents and children. When it comes to a city like Venice, you can find many options that will make your children and yourself to spend a fantastic time! Among the most famous “family friendly” restaurants in Venice, there is “Al Vaporetto”, which is located on the way to Campo Manin. Their dessert menu is very delicious to please your children, especially their cakes, and pies of different flavors. In this restaurant, apart of the several vegetarian options you’ll also find Pizza and spaghetti. Another very good option if you want to have a fun family time is “Pizza con Gusto”, which serves delicious pizzas in the Lido area. In Lido, you can also rent bikes with your children, you’ll be at the fingertips of the sea, so, don’t miss the opportunity to go with your kids to the beach and play around in the sand. The sea has always given joy to children and adults. To arise the curiosity...
The Day of St. Stephen in Budapest
This is the day that Hungarians celebrate the founding of their country by Stephen I, the man who in the early eleventh century brought together all the Magyar tribes under one nation, becoming the first king ofHungary. After his death, he was canonized onAugust 20, 1083, becoming known as St. Stephen. During this holiday a multitude of activities take place across the country, although the most popular one are in the capital, Budapest, where besides the usual political celebrations a wide range of activities designed for the whole family are held, including an amazing fireworks display on the banks of the river Danube at night. The celebrations start every year around8.30 amwith the hoisting of the flag in front of the Hungarian Parliament and continue through the night with all kinds of activities, including traditional dance, craft markets or the Court of St. Stephen, a historic courtyard popular with families, which takes place inKossuth Squarefrom11 amto9 pm. Here children can learn how the ancient Hungarians made their tents or how they made their bows. Furthermore, this day also marks the Red Bull Air Race, an air show featuring several famous pilots, including Hungarian Peter Bessenyei. They use their amazing skills to maneuver through the air and under the bridges of theDanuberiver at breakneck speeds, making this show one of the day’s most exciting. But for those who prefer grounded vehicles there is also the Wheel Festival, another spectacular show takes place onAndrássy Avenuebetween 2 and6 pm. It includes an extensive bicycle-related program, including, for example, a trial competition for professionals as well as amateurs. Attendees also have the opportunity...
The lakes of Rome
Tourists who go often to Rome know what they´re doing. Rome is a great cultural, artistic and leisure centre at the disposal of all those who want to have fun in their free time. We all know its Roman remains, the Vatican and its villas with gardens. Today, we´re going to escape from all Roman cliches and go a few miles outside the city to arrive to these two lesser-known gems of the Lazio region. The lakes of Bracciano, Martignano, Albano and Di Nemi are just a few of the places favoured by Romans to spend a day of fun, whether it´s with their family or their partner. Let´s begin with the biggest of them all, Bracciano. It´s located in the northeast, some 20 miles from Rome. Anyone can get there by road in barely 20 minutes. It´s a lake of volcanic origin and, as it usually happens in these cases, the perimeter is circular. There are routes for volcanology lovers which go around different craters and prints of the evident volcanic activity that took place here thousands of years ago. Lake Bracciano has over 18 miles of coast and three cities grew around its waters, Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano. Tourism linked to water sports is a rich source of income for the inhabitants of this area. You can enjoy its beaches and canoe rides on its crystalline waters. Bracciano is the water feeder of rRome, that´s why contamination control is very strict and motorized boats are not allowed. One of the main incentives are its restaurants. In them, you can enjoy fresh dish recently fished out of the lake and various types of seafood, an excellent choice...
Foo Fighters Concert
On August 15 at the 02 Arena in Prague the American alternative rock and post grunge band Foo Fighters, who are on tour promoting their latest album will be playing live for their huge fanbase. The beginnings of this band, a classic story among rock groups, dates back to 1994 when Dave Grohl is called by the still unknown band Nirvana to become the drummer. That was a momentous step in the course of Grohl´s career, because he realized that was blown away with the great songs of the band leader, Kurt Cobain, and decided to record a demo they distributed among their friends. After the death of Kurt Cobain and the consequent disappearance of Nirvana, Grohl recorded some songs under the pseudonym of Foo Fighters. The songs were given to his friends who congratulated him on his work but he was looking for musicians to join him to formalize the project of creating a new band. In addition he founded Roswell Records subsidiary of Capitol Records. The band name was chosen by Grohl who took the name that the fighter pilots during the Second World War gave unidentified flying objects, he was also heavily influenced by the Led Zeppelin monicker. The initial success quickly led to major touring America and Europe. refreshing sounds and an amazing energy on stage gave them a special seal, which has lasted over 20 years. The band members are Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear. They have had several social Interventions and political issues, such as participation in the presidential candidacy of John Kerry for which they performed...
Noir Film Festival in Dubrovnik
Summer is the perfect time for open-air festivals, so they can enjoy all their splendor and choosing which one to go to is a tricky task. The city of Dubrovnik, one of the most interesting European destinations that is slowly growing in popularity, offers us one one of August´s most interesting prospects, ideal for travelling film fans: Noir Film Festival. The event will take place on the weekend of the 17th, 18th and 19th if August and, as its name indicates, it´s a tribute to that genre that has produced so many great films, film noir. The festival, which is celebrating its second edition, has that eagerness and ambition that are so common in new projects and it´s completely free for all attendants. It begins with an exhibition by the photographer Sasa Sekoranja called The Double Identity at the Sponza Palace Atrium at 9pm. Sasa has captured Bosnian and Croatian actors for the occasions, recreating legendary scenes of unforgettable classics such as Citizen Kane (1941), Gilda (1946), The Perfect Crime (1954) or Concrete Jungle (1950). Sponza Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in Dubrovnik so, if you have time, it´s a good idea to book the friday afternoon off for visiting it relaxedly and having a few hours before the beginning of the exhibition. Built between 1512 and 1522, it combines Renaissance touches with late-gothic and a simple structure (rooms and storage rooms around an interior patio) and rich decorations in its porches. Although it originally was the home of numerous institutional uses (customs house, money and treasury house, armory…), at the end of the 16th century it become Dubrovnik´s cultural centre. It´s one of the few buildings that survived the terrible...
The Fiestas de Gràcia in Barcelona
One of the most unique summer events in Barcelona is the party in Gràcia, a week in which the homonymous neighborhood streets are filled with color and fun. It’s an event not to be missed, especially if you plan to visit Barcelona in August and are looking to experience the true essence of a city. The origins of this celebration date back to 1850, when the small town of Gràcia, an independent municipality of Barcelona of mostly peasants, was transformed by the arrival of artisans, laborers and small traders, which caused rapid growth in the area. Until then the patron of the neighborhood had been Saint Isidro, because of its agricultural character, but the inhabitants decided to modify it to adapt to changes in the area. Historians do not quite agree whether the patron chosen was the Virgin of August (August 15) or Saint Roque (August 16), but in any case, this established the festive nature of Gràcia around August 15. Today, they is still a celebration organized by the neighbors and neighborhood merchants that gives them a special aura. About 20 streets and squares are decorated in artisanal fashion with a focus on a theme that changes every year so they can compete in a contest where the best decorated is chosen. The decorations are planned months in advance and the results are artistic works of great value. The Carrer de Verdi and Carrer de Joan Blanques have received the most awards, but all the streets are worth a visit. There is also a contest for the best decorated balconies. Alongside the competitions, many free events, including a...
DJ Afrojack at Opium Mar in Barcelona
Barcelona can boast about having a great nightlife as one of its main charms, especially in the summer, with its war nights and its intense club programmes, thought out to keep everyone dancing until the sun rises. One of the most popular clubs, with a select clientele and a privileged location, is Opium Mar. Located on the seafront promenade in Barcelona, right in front of Barceloneta beach, it combines restaurant, bar and club with tremendous success and it has the biggest terrace facing the sea in the whole city. Its nightlife space is the one that´s the most successful, thanks to a carefully-selected programme that has brought the best international DJs to Barcelona´s nightlife, such as David Guetta, Avicii, Armin Van Buuren and the band Black Eyed Peas, amongst many others. With this record, it´s no surprise that on the 15th of August they will bring DJ Afrojack, one of the most popular DJs of today´s house music scene. Despite that he´s in the tabloids more often in recent times for his relationship with Paris Hilton than for his DJing, he has a prolific and intense career with only 24 years of age. However, who hides behind the name of Afrojack? His real name is Nick Van de Wall and he comes from the Netherlands. Since a young age he felt a special affinity with music and began to play the piano at the age of 5. He soon started creating his own music and at the age of 11 he began using the programme Fruity Loops (the current FL Studio), which he still uses todya. When he finished school, he began working in bars...
Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations
The spring exhibition 2012 organized by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, explores the striking similarities between these two Italian designers from different periods. Inspired by the satirical “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair done by Miguel Covarrubias during the thirties, the curators Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton have presented a dialogue between these two iconic women to suggest new readings of their most innovative works. Curators Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton organized this interesting exhibition. Film director, screenwriter and producer Baz Luhrmann was the creative consultant of the exhibition and created a series of filmed items for this exhibition. Catherine Martin, who is a long time collaborator of Luhrmann, did the production the filming design. The exhibition design was done by Nathan Crowley, who served as production designer (he was a creative consultant for the exhibition “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” and “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art). All treatments of the mannequins’ heads of the masks were designed by Guido Palau. In the galleries, the iconic sets by Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada are presented in short videos, simulating a dialogue between these two outstanding designers; directed by Luhrmann, the exhibition focuses on how they explore related themes in their work through very different approaches. “By juxtaposing the work of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, allows us to explore how the past illuminates the present and how this revives the past,” said Koda. “The connection between the historical and modern highlights, the similarities and variations between two women who constantly have revolutionized contemporary notions of taste, beauty and glamour,” said...
