Barcelona has a rich cultural history whose reputation as an artistic haven is known worldwide.  From poetry to graffiti murals to ballet, one is sure to find something appealing to the senses.  The works of legends such as Antonio Gaudí, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies continuously draw large crowds to Barcelona every year.  Although previously ruled under a dictatorship after the Civil War in 1936 that tightly restricted the cultural development of the city, Barcelona rigorously worked to restore its cultural heritage after democracy was reinstated in 1978. 

Barcelona’s reputation as a world centre for art, architecture and design is growing yearly, with a plethora of cultural activities on offer. As if it needed confirming, in 1999, the entire city was awarded a Royal Gold Medal for Architecture from the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Barcelona is also a showcase for homegrown Catalan traditions - dozens of festivals, religious holidays and special occasions are celebrated in the city each year. Currently, an important festival that celebrates the very essence of Barcelona’s cultural past and encourages an artistically open and creative future is the annual Grec Festival of Barcelona.  Each summer, from June to August, the city exposes locals and tourists alike to all variations of the performing arts.  In 2009, more than 60 theatre, music, dance and circus acts took place in more than 26 venues throughout the city.

Please visit the official website for further information including schedules, venues, sponsors and ticket sales:  www.barcelonafestival.com/