Nearly 200 people rally in Barcelona demanding release of flotilla activists held by Israel
Nearly 200 people gathered today outside the European Commission's offices in Barcelona to demand the immediate release of Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists intercepted by Israel. Israeli soldiers boarded around thirty vessels from the mission while it was in international waters, approximately 250 miles from Gaza, near Cyprus. The mission had resumed its voyage on May 15 from the Turkish port of Marmaris, following a first interception in Greece at the end of April. Pablo Castilla, GSF spokesperson in Catalonia, noted that around twenty more vessels are continuing toward Gaza. Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who participated in the first Flotilla and was detained by the Israeli army, called on the Spanish government to act to secure the release of the detained activists. (a2ccaec244abb624)
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Barcelona launches its first Anti-Racist Plan at the Barcelona Forum 2026
The Barcelona City Council today presented its first Anti-Racist Plan, aimed at addressing structural racism and ensuring equality of rights. The presentation took place at the opening of the Fòrum Barcelona 2026, focused on 'The leadership of cities for racial justice'. The event is organised together with the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR) and has the support of UNESCO. (bcn_premsa:181121)
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Collboni presents Barcelona's Anti-Racist Plan 2026-2036
Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, today presented the Pla Antiracista de Barcelona 2026-2036. The plan covers a ten-year period, from 2026 to 2036. (bcn_premsa:181124)
Raquel Gil highlights institutional cooperation at Barcelona's May 1 commemoration
The Ajuntament de Barcelona held an institutional event today to commemorate May 1. At the event, Raquel Gil highlighted cooperation between institutions and social partners to guarantee labour rights in Barcelona. The event also included the presentation of the Comissió Drets laborals 2025 report. (bcn_premsa:181127)
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Martí Sales wins the 2026 Jocs Florals de Barcelona Poetry Prize
Poet Martí Sales has received the 2026 Jocs Florals de Barcelona Poetry Prize. The award was granted for his poetry collection "Descripció del món". (bcn_premsa:181132)
Barcelona's Plenary Commissions to meet on May 19 and 20
The Plenary Commissions of Barcelona City Council are scheduled to meet on May 19 and 20, 2026. These sessions are held ahead of the Plenary of the Municipal Council. (bcn_premsa:181145)
Collboni to present 2026 Pride Day campaign at Palauet Albéniz tomorrow
Jaume Collboni will present the 2026 Pride Day campaign tomorrow, Tuesday May 19. The event is scheduled for 18.30 at the Palauet Albéniz, Avda. de l'Estadi, 67-69. (bcn_premsa:181154)
Collboni attends inauguration of Sant Felip Neri church organ
Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni took part today in the inauguration of the organ at the church of Sant Felip Neri, located in the city's Gothic Quarter. (bcn_premsa:181158)
Cursa Diagonal DiR Guàrdia Urbana by Olistic set for May 23 and 24
The Cursa Diagonal DiR Guàrdia Urbana by Olistic will return to the streets of Barcelona on May 23 and 24. The event will turn the city's main thoroughfare into an athletics track. (bcn_premsa:181161)
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Barcelona and Rotary International seal collaboration for 2027 World Convention
The Barcelona City Council and Rotary International today formalised their collaboration for the 2027 World Convention. Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, met at the City Council with Rotary International president Francesco Arezzo. (bcn_premsa:181165)
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Contract formalised for clean-room air-conditioning works at IMB-CNM
The General Secretariat of the State Agency Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas has announced the formalisation of a contract for air-conditioning refurbishment works in the clean room at the Instituto de Microelectrónica de Barcelona (IMB-CNM). The project, identified under scientific project code MICRO24001 and file 34391/25, is financed by the European Union through NextGenerationEU under the Recovery and Resilience Facility. (BOE-B-2026-15975)
Casa Cupra Raval to host afterwork events at Rev El Bar restaurant in Barcelona
Casa Cupra Raval has today announced a programme of afterwork events at the restaurant Rev El Bar in Barcelona. Rev El Bar is the culinary concept developed together with Grupo No Hay Mañana. The information was released by the company in a statement. (30ef143e8c225e88)
Josep Rius withdraws as Junts candidate for Barcelona mayor
Junts spokesperson and Barcelona city councillor Josep Rius has withdrawn from the race to become the party's candidate for mayor of Barcelona. Rius cited his decision as a way to avoid "una confrontación" with the current head of the municipal group, Jordi Martí, who had announced his intention to stand. (513bdc9b36822dc0)
Mossos still searching for gunman who killed a man on May 17 in Barcelona's Marina del Port
The Mossos d'Esquadra are today still searching for a man who shot and killed another person on the afternoon of May 17 in the Barcelona neighbourhood of la Marina del Port, in the district of Sants. The information was confirmed by police sources to Europa Press. (59ba951100e5c462)
Hundreds of Barcelona teachers rally outside Sagrada Família to demand better conditions
Several hundred teachers from the city of Barcelona gathered today outside the Sagrada Família with desks and chairs in the form of an "open classroom" to demand improvements in labour and salary conditions in the sector. The rally took place from early morning. (9e9ef088d1b22eb7)
Sagrada Família plans to reopen once security is guaranteed
The Sagrada Família in Barcelona plans to reopen "siempre que esté garantizada la seguridad" of workers and visitors. Access to the basilica was blocked this morning by striking teachers. No specific reopening time has been stated. (a0fa5bd49ceb093e)
L8 works on Carrer Muntaner enter new phase requiring expanded surface occupation
Works on the L8 line at Carrer Muntaner have entered a new phase that requires expanding surface occupations. The construction of retaining walls for the future emergency exit of the tunnel involves closing the stretch between Carrer de Marià Cubí and Carrer de l'Avenir. This closure came into effect today, May 18. (generalitat_premsa:824176)
President Illa inaugurates new Orgue Montserrat Torrent at Sant Felip Neri church
Catalan president Illa today led the inauguration ceremony of the new Orgue Montserrat Torrent at the church of Sant Felip Neri in Barcelona. The instrument, described as the only large-format baroque organ in Barcelona, has 49 registers and 3,481 pipes, and will serve to drive a teaching and cultural programme. Illa described Montserrat Torrent as "una figura excepcional de la cultura catalana" and "un orgull de país". The Govern is marking this year as the Any Montserrat Torrent, coinciding with the centenary of her birth. (generalitat_premsa:824784)
C-31 lane restrictions at Sant Adrià de Besòs due to gardening works
The C-31 road, between km 208.5 and 215.8, has restricted lanes in both directions at Sant Adrià de Besòs. The cause of the restriction is gardening works. The restriction applies between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. (sct_transit_planned:1483323)
Josep Rius withdraws from race against Jordi Martí for Junts candidacy in Barcelona
Josep Rius, councillor and spokesperson for Junts in Barcelona, announced today via a statement on social media that he will not stand for the party's candidacy in Barcelona. Rius explained the decision by stating that the Junts project in Barcelona had to be built on "la suma i no pas de la confrontació o el desafiament intern" (unity, not confrontation or internal challenge), and that Jordi Martí's announced candidacy had altered conditions he considered essential. Martí, close to former mayor Xavier Trias, informed the party leadership on May 12 of his intention to stand as candidate in next year's municipal elections. Lawyer and former MP Jaume Alonso-Cuevillas had also recently put himself forward as a possible candidate to represent Junts in Barcelona. In the letter, Rius also criticised the PSC's project, accusing it of driving Barcelona residents out of a city that is "cada cop més cara, amb massificació turística, col·lapsada, desendreçada i insegura" (increasingly expensive, with tourist overcrowding, gridlocked, disorganised and unsafe). (bbdda8f7167bf16b)