The GSL-Vision Magazine

From the First GSL-Vision Magazine 2014:

Editorial 1

Hello Members, Donors and Friends of Gay Sitges Link (GSL),

Welcome to the first issue of GSL Vision Magazine! Up until now, the GSL has published a monthly newsletter informing you of its happenings in Sitges.

This year, we have moved into a new office, refocused the charity on LGBT issues, and have a new vision for the future; hence, the name of the magazine—GSL Vision Magazine.

The magazine will have regular features covering a myriad of topics to assist members of the local LGBT and gay-friendly community as well as LGBT visitors to Sitges; and link Gay Sitges Link with the global gay community.

As Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, it is my honour to spearhead this medium as the voice of the charity and share the wide spectrum of its work and the intent of its volunteers. And by communicating its activities, connecting individuals and networking with other organizations, every year we’ll work towards achieving GSL’s mission of helping to create an all inclusive environment for living, here in Sitges.

With half the year left, look within our pages, and join us to realise our vision for a bright future.

Editorial 2.2

From the SQ4: "Artistic Sitges"

Editorial 2.2

Art – it is all around us in Sitges. Art has a presence throughout the town. Statues and sculptures are lovely accents along our seafront, enjoyed by many every day. Decorative tiles enliven our streets, house façades and benches on the paseo. We are proud of our numerous interesting museums, and you don’t have to walk far in the centre of town to spot one of our art galleries—each one having its own style and flavour that invite the passer-by to drop in and browse.

The light that bathes our coast has attracted artists for many decades, inspiring them to express themselves in many forms—painting, sculpture, photography, dance, architecture, and more. Their art, over time, has captured different aspects of Sitges’ everyday life, reflecting the era in which it was created, giving us glimpses into what life was like and showing us how the town acquired its artistic legacy.   

See our creative side, and be inspired.

Editorials 2.1

From the SQ3: "Made in Sitges"

The Editorial 2.1

The crisis. Who hasn’t been affected by the crisis, which continues to have an impact on us professionally, financially and emotionally? Whether we own or manage a business, or work in health, education or government, chances are we have felt or seen a difference in our lives.

Sitges was known as a port town in antiquity, a sleepy fishing village for most of the 20^th century, and now as a popular European resort town. But what else can be found here?   

Our focus this issue is to take a broad look at our local economy and see some of what we offer at large. We thought we’d name this issue, Made in Sitges. Let’s look at the motor of Sitges; in other words, the driving force of business. Sitges has produced shoes, auto parts, local cuisine and services and even created globally recognizable brands.

I hope by demonstrating our history of industrious endeavours, this issue inspires the entrepreneurial spirit.

See Sitges in a different light, see beyond the sun and sand.

The Epilogue

In this issue of the Sitges Quarterly, we wanted to highlight what Sitges has offered commercially over the years in addition to tourism. We thought it was important to showcase examples of varied and sometimes unconventional aspects of business; and we hope it inspires the development of new and different initiatives.

I read the words of a New York Times columnist, Thomas L. Freidman, recently and his words resonated for me. He said, “The combination of digital tools of connectivity and creativity has created a global education, commercial, communication and innovation platforms…. [Technology] empowers individuals to access learning, retrain, engage in commerce, seek or advertise a job, invent, invest and crowd source—all online”.  He believes that, with an individual’s ability to do these things, comes added responsibility.

He says further: “The boundaries are all gone… the walls, ceilings and floors that protected people are also disappearing. Government will do less for you. Companies will do less for you. Unions can do less for you. There will be fewer limits, but also fewer guarantees”; these words I think couldn’t be more true.

In terms of employment, it seems today, when companies hire personnel, the focus is not necessarily on where you’ve obtained your knowledge or experience—it’s what you can do with it. How best can you utilize what you know?

The level of empowerment for individuals has increased exponentially. With new technologies, internet possibilities, ingenuity and creativity, I have no doubt we will get through these difficult times to a brighter future.

Editorial 1.2

From the SQ2: "What's New?"

The Editorial 1.2

For the premiere issue of The Sitges Quarterly, we focused on what had been happening over the last five to seven years or as we saw it, the Changing Face of Sitges. Now that that has been printed and placed into outlets available to the public, we are moving forward to: What is happening now in Sitges and the impact it might have for our future.

We have taken a look at a few establishments and initiatives, which on the surface might appear to be just another hotel or promotion, but in reality "do their part" in keeping or even raising the expectation of what is offered here in Sitges.

This season, carrying on in the same vein, we are highlighting What's New. In this second issue, the features and columns continue. In addition, we include two new columns, A Greener Village focusing on eco-initiatives in town; and The Strategist that will nourish our strategic thinking to help us build, analyze, develop and refine our projects, both personal and business.

Take a look inside our pages and taste a little of our “now”.

Editorials 1.1

From the SQ: "The Changing Face of Sitges"

The Editorial 1.1

It is no secret that Sitges has a great legacy in print. Looking back we find examples like El Eco de Sitges and its 125 years of uninterrupted history (recently honored by the Generalitat de Catalunya with the Cross of Sant Jordi), the Suburense, La Voz de Sitges, La Punta, El Baluard or L'Amic de les Arts, all publications that contained a wide range of articles of local interest essays, political commentary, topical events, illustrations, poetry and short stories, show that the town of Sitges has had an innate appreciation for artistic expression.

The increase in local tourism has also been reflected in the local press and in 1919, coinciding with the development of the new garden city of Terramar, a magazine was founded that bore its name and included an advertisement running along the bottom of its pages written in Catalan, Castellano, English, French and Italian! In early 1921, Josep Carbonell i Gener, a member of the literary circle of Sitges, also felt the need to publish a new magazine covering political and cultural ideology and he subsequently founded the Monitor, published in Catalan and included a summary of its contents in English.

One can assume that the intention was not only to reach the public of Sitges, but also to reach an audience fluent in a variety of languages. This reinforces our belief that a magazine written in the three dominant languages ​​spoken in Sitges would reach the majority of its residents and guests who visit our shores.

Everyone likes to see their views represented in the media and we are no different. We, the team at The Sitges Quarterly (SQ), including our contributors, endeavour to reflect within our pages all that is to be found in Sitges, by capturing its past, exploring its present and providing a space to talk about its future. In addition, we invite you, our readers—the people of Sitges—to contribute. All are welcome to submit stories and articles, or letters to make your thoughts and ideas known on the issues we cover four times a year. Our hope is that with the help of citizen journalism, the magazine will not only be read, but also used to enrich your experience of our town.

But first, since we’ve been experiencing the changing face of Sitges over the last few years, we thought we'd explore the changes in our environment and how we feel about what is happening around us.

And now, enjoy what is here before you. Turn the page and begin to read all that we’re about. And just think. The time is at hand for the Sitges Quarterly.

Feel our words, Savour our stories...

The Epilogue: "Afterwords"

Why produce a print magazine about Sitges? Now is the time. It is about time to reach most of the people of Sitges via the written word. The Sitges Quarterly was born from the reality of there being nothing readily available to fit this rather large niche. There is no magazine formatted for everyone. Despite the world moving “forward” by turning to the Internet for all purposes, I felt that the pre-electronic age magazine would better fulfil the need for a single point of reference with original content of interesting articles pertaining to our town. Sitges, a town of many peoples, diverse ethnicities and a myriad of lifestyles, that amazingly manages to retain its rich Catalan heritage.

There is something to be said for a tangible periodical. A magazine that engages its reader in a solitary activity, an entity that does not need to be “switched on”, “booted-up”, plugged in or recharged. It can be picked up, put down at will or even dropped by accident without incurring dire consequences! Generally, people still prefer the ease of control of how, where and when they read the written word, whether it is a newspaper, book, brochure, flyer or magazine. In fact, after hurricane Katrina devastated part of the gulf coast of the United States, the written word became the primary source of news due to the loss of electricity.

In my research for the SQ, I’ve learned that during the 12-year life of Google, magazine readership has increased 11% and incredibly, magazines rank No. 1 at influencing consumers to start an online search.

Once again, feel free to submit works and photos, but also your comments and suggestions, some of which will be published on our Reactions page beginning in our next issue this summer.

And in our ever-changing world that is Sitges, the team of the SQ hopes to continue to inform and entertain you with our features and images. Keep reading!