Casa Asia in Barcelona organizes course on Chinese cinema

From http://www.casaasia.eu/actividad/detalle?id=212741 (in English)

[caption id="attachment_2897" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Course "Chinese Cinema: Stories and Evolutions" (image from Casa Asia website)[/caption]

From the February 25th to April 1st, 2014, the headquarters of Casa Àsia in Barcelona will host a course entitled "Chinese Cinema: Stories and Evolutions" given by Manel Ollé, professor of Chinese History and Culture and coordinator of the Master in Chinese Studies at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra of Barcelona. For further information on the fees, the detailed schedule and the location, please visit its webpage at Casa Àsia.

Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board plans to attract Chinese visitors

From http://www.diaridegirona.cat/comarques/2014/01/23/turisme-girona-centra-esforcos-mercat/653171.html (in Catalan)

The director of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, Ramon Ramos, has explained that this organization will start working on the promotion of the region in the Chinese market, to prepare the ground for the boom that has been forecast for the next three to four years. To help with the process, the Board has signed a native Chinese young girl that will work on the preparation of a database containing the whole tourist offer from Costa Brava (布拉瓦海岸) and on advising on the needs, tastes and preferences of the Chinese market.

[caption id="attachment_2846" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Costa Brava, north of the Creus Cape[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2847" align="alignleft" width="300"] The fishing port from El Port de la Selva[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2848" align="alignleft" width="225"] Fishing near the mouth of the Ter river in central Costa Brava[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2850" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Cala Boadella in Lloret de Mar, southern Costa Brava[/caption]

Catalan leader of LED bulbs moves factory back from China

From http://www.viaempresa.cat/ca/notices/2014/01/el-lider-catala-dels-leds-4281.php (in Catalan)

Founded in 2010, Led Tech Ibérica is a Catalan company that is currently working in five countries and that this year is expected to reach 1 million € in total sales. Led Tech Ibérica is the only company in Europe that guarantees the production of the chips, the main part of the LED bulbs, and now is investing 100,000 euros to move their factory back from China to Golmés (Lleida province) during the present year 2014.

According to Led Tech Ibérica's manager Robert Bonet, "opposite to what happens in other economic environments, in China the companies that produce LED are closing and moving to other countries". Until now, the company has worked with providers from Taiwan, Japan, United States and South Korea, but never from China, because of the uncertainty caused by the closing of the Chinese companies of this sector. Robert Bonet also states that a "qualified worker in China is more expensive and less productive than in Europe" and he also is convinced that franchising is the best option for his company because "it allows us to control the whole chain, from production to distribution and sales; moreover, it also helps to have a slower growth".

Each of the bulbs installed by Led Tech Ibérica has a price between 20 and 25 euros, which is considered as competitive by Robert Bonet, "because it gives the possibility to offer a lasting product, with a low consumption and with a real guarantee of 3 years. The choice of many companies is to buy cheap materials in China, but this also reduces the quality of the product. We are gaining market with the replacement of LED bulbs".

 

FC Barcelona takes part again in the promotion of Catalonia in China

From http://www.fcbarcelona.es/club/detalle/noticia/el-fc-barcelona-vuelve-a-participar-en-una-nueva-edicion-del-concurso-de-catalunya-turisme-en-china (in Spanish)

For third year in a row, FC Barcelona takes part in the promotion of Catalonia in China through the contest organized in this country by Tencent Sports, the Catalan Tourism Agency and Qatar Airways. Through the competition "Barcelona Action", the winning Chinese fans of FC Barcelona will be able to tour Catalonia for a week and to attend a football match in the Camp Nou. For further information, please visit the webpage http://sports.qq.com/zt2013/holabarsa

Catalan TV program "Òpera en texans" attends the Taiwan International Children's Film Festival

From http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/noticias/tele/opera-texans-opta-premi-taiwan-2993116 (in Catalan)

"Òpera en texans" (Opera in Jeans) is a a TV program of Televisió de Catalunya devoted to the promotion of classical music and opera in a very original and innovative way. Its presenter, Ramon Gener, is a opera singer and pianist that has achieved a big success in Catalonia because of his contagious enthusiasm when explaining the secrets of "bel canto". "Òpera en texans" has been nominated to three awards in the Taiwan International Children's Film Festival: best TV program, jury's special award and audience award. The Taiwan International Children's Film Festival will take place between March 27 and April 6, 2014, and the winners will be announced on April 4.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="468"] Ramon Gener and his passion for classical music and opera (Image from Ramon Gener's website)[/caption]

 

 

Hong Kong students visit several organizations in Girona

From http://www.elpuntavui.cat/ma/article/2-societat/5-societat/708671-estudiants-de-hong-kong-visiten-diverses-entitats-de-girona.html (in Catalan)

Around forty students from Hong Kong have spent two days in the city of Girona in order to know several organizations within the University of Girona, such as the Consell d'Associacions d'Estudiants (Council of the Associations of Students) and the Centre Cristià dels Universitaris (Christian Centre of the University Students), as well as other organizations outside the academic environment such as the Coordinadora d'ONG Solidàries (and NGO to promote peace and solidarity) and Càritas (a Christian roots association to help the poor). Their visit to Girona had been organized by Wusmed (World University Service of Mediterranean), an organization based in the University of Girona Scientific and Technological Park.

 

Chinese entrepreneurs visit Penedès wine region

From http://www.elcargol.com/index.php/economia/2696-empresaris-xinesos-contacten-amb-el-sector-vitivinicola-per-construir-una-ciutat-del-vi-a-la-xina (in Catalan)

A group of Chinese entrepreneurs is planning to build a City of Wine in Wuwei, in the province of Gansu, China. In order to turn this dream into reality, they are on a tour around some of the most renowned wine regions in Europe, seeking for knowledge and inspiration. As part of this tour, the group travelled to Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, in the Penedès wine region, located some 50 km west of Barcelona, to contact with wine and cava producers and research and promotion centers.

The Chinese delegation decided to visit the municipality attracted by its experience at the technical, economic, touristic and social levels. The venture is being developed in collaboration with the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, that provides advice on the architectural project, which is expected to be built before ten years time and with a total surface of 20 million squared meters.