Sitges, in the World's View

Sitges, in the World's View

As I sat wondering what to write about for this months’ post, I thought of some of the things I covered this year—the GSMA Mobile World Congress n Barcelona and its impact on Sitges, I continued my Sitges Tales series where we talked about social media and voluntary ignorance in regard to the workplace, my GSL-Visión Magazine 2017 editorial, our own singer Ramon Mirabet and his rising career; and of course, the referendum in Catalunya and its repercussions, sending visceral shockwaves around Spain, Europe and indeed around the world. 

So this month, I decided to keep it simple and light, with holiday cheer to end the year.

The View is a top-rated talk show on Disney’s television network, ABC. It is what American’s call a chatshow featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Meghan McCain discussing the most newsworthy events of the day. Up until this August 2017, it was reported the latest season of the series averaged 2.816 million total viewers per episode.

On a trip to San Francisco, as I read the days’ newspapers and had my cup of coffee, a special holiday episode of the show was on my TV. While reading the headlines, I heard “Sitges” and looked at the television screen to find, as a gift prize or giveaway during one of their lighter segments, one of their viewers (Laila) won a holiday provided by the 5-star Dolce Sitges Hotel.

It truly presents Sitges as a desirable place to visit….

It was a pleasant surprise! The presenters quickly raved about the holiday and how wonderful Sitges is… and continued to report how this hotel offers 263 beautifully designed guest rooms and suites—the finest of accommodations. And by checking the website I found that the Wyndham Hotel group boasts “all the flavours and aromas of Sitges are captured in distinctive restaurants and bars, where culinary masterpieces nourish the appetite, as well as the spirit.”

The promotion by the hotel, probably independent of the local town hall or Ayuntamiento also shows how far-reaching the Sitges brand can be,

in terms of tourism.

Scribe Note: The City’s Tourism Budget has increased in the last two years by 44%, from almost €350,000 in 2016 to half a million euros that will be budgeted by the Department of Tourism next year. Not counting the renovation project of the Can Milà farmhouse, amounting to €440,000 more, it is planned to be converted into a reception centre for visitors and tourist promotion, which will place us at a budget for tourism at almost €1 million.

The Hotel main entrance

The Dolce Sitges Hotel in Can Girona, Sitges

Dolce Sitges

Av. Camí de Miralpeix, 12

08870Sitges

España

Tel: +34 938 10 90 00

www.dolcesitges.com

Antonio Banderas in Sitges

Guess who graced our shores again? It was Antonio Banderas.

The actor was here at the beginning of the month to shoot scenes for the upcoming second season of National Geographic ’s anthology series, Genius.

The new season, directed by Ken Biller, will be released in the fall of 2018 and is produced by director Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. The episode shot in Sitges is said to represent the beaches of the French Riviera, even though Picasso has spent time here in the past.

Locations around town included green screens for the special effects and art departments to transform Sitges today, into a Mediterranean locale in the first half of the 20^th century. The extras were dressed in period costumes reflecting the time.

Edifici Miramar

Pablo Picasso, although born in Malaga, lived most of his life in France. The time he spent in Paris was where he crossed paths with famous writers and artists including Coco Chanel, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Gertrude Stein, Jean Cocteau, and Sergei Diaghilev, the Russian ballet impresario. 
See, The Countess and the Impresario. 

Banderas as Picasso

“The life story of Pablo Picasso has long since fascinated me and I have so much respect for this man, who also comes from my birthplace Málaga,” said the actor. “I am thrilled to work with National Geographic, Brian, Ron, Ken and the rest of the Genius team to tell an authentic story of one of the most innovative painters in the world.”

Pablo Picasso

Scribe Note:

The first season of the series was centered on the life of German theoretical physicist Albert Einstein who developed the theory of relativity. The actor who portrayed Einstein was actor, Geoffrey Rush ("The King's Speech", “Shine”). This first season was based on Walter Isaacson's critically acclaimed and best-selling book, Einstein: His Life and Universe.

Genius qualifies as the channel’s most-watched original series launch to date, says the network. In the U.S., viewership averaged 1.8 million total viewers, and on National Geographic channels around the world, the series was seen by some 45 million viewers.

The Beat Goes On 2: the pulse quickens...

After Carles Puigdemont i Casamajó (President of the Government of Catalunya) delivered a perplexing speech in which he declared a suspended independence - collectively, we involuntarily held our breath.

Conflicted. Saddened. And powerless. Apparently, it isn’t my place to comment. The atmosphere is intensely charged. Say the wrong thing or have it fall on wrong ears and friendships can be broken. 

A refrain* comes to mind, and plays in my head everyday…

What now? I just can't figure it out

What now? I guess I'll just wait it out

What now? Please tell me, what now?

I hear. I listen. I read, and I can’t ascertain how my life could be better in Sitges. I chose to move here and clearly I have a love for the town, Catalunya and for Spain.

 

I don't know where to go

I don't know what to feel

I don't know how to cry

I don't know ow ow why...

No one knows how things could change or even if things would change. And so, uncertainty is alive and well. It quickens the pulse and sends the heart racing. Every headline, every news story, and endless commentary; it all feeds uncertainty instead of ushering in clarity. 

What now? 
I just can't figure it out

What now? 
I guess I'll just wait it out

What now? 
Somebody tell me,

What now? 
So what now?

Scribe Note:

*Lyrics taken from the song “What Now?”. A track from “Unapologetic”, the seventh studio album by the Barbadian singer, Rihanna.

The Beat Goes On...

I returned home from a work trip and was finishing dinner when at once a gradual rumbling of sound began to erupt all around my home. It enveloped me. I listened, I wondered, and I heard.

I heard the sound of clanking bottles and cutlery, wooden spoons hitting pots and paella pans as drums, just as I knew my neighbours’ heart beat just as hard with his determination. One by one they join in this political muster—with no discernable pitch, volume, or rhythm. Just thunderous emotion and noise…

Sound emanates from balconies,

terraces and through windows
all around Sitges. 

Drumming has been used as an alternative to linguistic communication for hundreds of years. It has been “utilized by virtually every culture known to mankind for a multitude of purposes”. It has been used for religious rituals, social dances, sporting events, special ceremonies, in preparation for hunting, and as a prelude to war.

Today, here in town it is used as protest.

Every night at 22.00, the night sky fills with sound for ten to fifteen minutes, travelling long distances. Sound emanates from balconies, terraces and through windows all around Sitges. The atmosphere is positive and negative, palpable and symbolic. It is joyously solidaristic to some and obtrusive, inescapable senseless noise to others.

Catalunya's Secretary for Foreign Affairs and for the European Union, Maria Badia i Cutchet says, “the way to solve this is to sit at a table and discuss this”. Whether or not the referendum on Catalonia's secession from Spain on Sunday, the first of October will occur or if it will even be legally binding, time has yet to tell.

For now time beats on… the drumming will continue as a call to arms, a call to communicate, a call to talk.

Moving Forward

Sometimes moving forward, moving ahead or moving on is exhilarating, emotionally draining or just plain difficult. This summer has been all of these things... Growing up I was told, anything worthwhile takes time and effort and as I've experienced these past three months, it's absolutely true.

The GSL-Visión magazine is published every June. Consequently, the six or seven weeks leading up to printing is quite hectic with revision and editing.

New to this year was the beginning of principal photography (the beginning of filming) for my production company's film, CHARIVARI a fashion UPROAR. We've had a film shoot in January, April, July and earlier this month. I can't tell you how rewarding it is to actually see your ideas expressed visually on film or in terms of a magazine, finally published. This is the Sizzle Reel we produced made of excerpts of some of our interviews to date:

Last, but certainly not least of all is my "day" job or as they say, "bread & butter" way of earning my living, which takes annual training, day-to-day updates and constant change. And it all comes to a head every August.

It has been a summer of constant prioritizing, organization, timing and let's not forget problem solving and financing! Not easy, but it is all worthwhile conquering my "to do" list of items and being able to look back and see the finished fruits of my labour.

Yes, all tasks have been accomplished through various degrees of difficulty; however, the sense of progress, and the satisfaction at each task completion generates great fulfillment and really does make it all worthwhile...

.

Ramon Mirabet on the Rise

Spring/Summer 2013. I remember the vibe. The streets were beginning to fill with holiday millennials, couples and families - all strolling, laughing and enjoying the warm lengthy Mediterranean evenings.

We were "out and about” having fun, three of us hoping to stay out for a while in a nice place to sit, talk and drink good wine. And Bonita, Bonita beckoned, so we entered.

What a surprise to discover that we were just about to have an experience. An experience totally unexpected, totally enjoyable and unforgettable. We experienced the talent of Ramon Mirabet… I remember thinking, he looked young and cute and then it happened; he started to sing. What a VOICE! 

His voice commanded attention and filled the room with a life-weathered quality which took me completely by surprise and compelled me to wonder how it was at all possible that such a young guy could with his voice muster such a beautiful sound, such pleasing music.

His mother in the audience (later introduced to us) glowed with pride and we all grooved to songs he sang in Castellano and in English. Notably, I listened in amazement as, again - I experienced - his live rendition, strumming his guitar and mixing of Bob Marley’s & the Wailers "Get up, Stand up” & “Jamming" with the Police’s “Roxanne”, and the vampy classic "(You give me) Fever”; his improvisational lyrics, witty and wonderful! 

Happy Days (2013)

We quickly bought his first CD, 

Happy Days from him and learned that he resided in Sitges (at that time). 

Those Little Things

This month I had the pleasure of seeing a  short film by Barcelona brewing company Estrella Damm, "The Little Things” and to my surprise, guess who’s voice I’ve come to learn sings the theme song? None other than, Ramon Mirabet.

The short film is set in the Mediterranean about a man finding out what really matters in life; starring Jean Reno and Laia Costa, directed by award-winning director Alberto Rodríguez. 

Here is a video of outtakes from the film,"Those Little Things” with Ramon singing the song.

Who knows, one day you might be lucky enough to experience his music as you walk through the Racó de la Calma in Sitges, or enter one of the bars which are the more usual stages of this rising star.

See,

https://ramonmirabet.com

GSL-Visión Editorial 4

The GSL-Visión Magazine no. 4
Editorial – Consequences of Acceptance

What exactly does that look like? This year at Visión we thought we’d explore this reality more deeply. Last year, if you remember, we looked at what it means to be visible as an out and proud LGBT person, which helps to lead society to its acceptance.

Incorporating LGBT history, themes and people into public school curriculum is up for debate, and as good an idea as it is, at this point, it’s somewhat inconsequential. Its relevance has lessened because as authorities debate whether or not to include it, the education is all around us and is disseminated in everyday living. Today, positive images of LGBT personalities and lifestyles are visible in mainstream film and television storylines and advertising, permeating most aspects of life in western countries.

Every year some may see Gay Pride marches as frivolous and Carnival-like. But Pride festivals are also very much about visibility and acceptance in addition to the decriminalization of homosexuality, AIDS awareness, marriage equality, parenting, and presenting a stand against discrimination and violence toward the LGBT community.

As we step forward in achieving equal rights globally, in many countries atrocities are still being committed against LGBT communities. There seems to be a backlash, or violent reaction to the hard-fought progress made, highlighting the struggle is alive and well today.

Discussion about the subject at least brings the openness necessary to usher intolerance. But dare I say, what we need today is not just tolerance, but overall acceptance.

Let’s continue the discussion, and accept the diversity,

All Inclusive, All Together

Consecuencias de la aceptación ¿Cómo se exterioriza eso exactamente? Este año en Visión pensamos que teníamos que explorar esta realidad con más profundidad. El año pasado, si recordáis, miramos lo que significa ser visible como una persona LGTB manifiesta y orgullosa, lo que ayuda a llevar a la sociedad a su aceptación.

La incorporación en el currículo de las escuelas públicas de la historia LGTB, sus temáticas y personas sigue siendo un tema de debate, y siendo una idea tan buena como es, en este momento no tiene consecuencias. Su relevancia ha disminuido, porque a medida que las autoridades debaten si incluirlo o no, la educación está a nuestro alrededor diseminada  en la vida cotidiana. Hoy en día, las imágenes positivas de las personalidades y de los estilos de vida de las personas LGTB son visibles en películas de alcance mundial, en teleseries y en anuncios, impregnando la mayoría de los aspectos de la vida en los países occidentales.

Cada año hay quienes pueden ver las marchas del Orgullo Gay como frívolas y similares a los  carnavales. Pero los festivales de Orgullo también tienen mucho que ver con la visibilidad y la aceptación, además de con la descriminazación de la homosexualidad, la concienciación sobre el SIDA, el matrimonio igualitario, la crianza de los hijos y el sustentamiento de una postura contra la discriminación y la violencia hacia la comunidad LGTB.

A medida que avanzamos en la consecución de la igualdad de derechos a nivel mundial, en muchos países se siguen cometiendo atrocidades contra las comunidades LGTB. Parece que haya un contragolpe, o una reacción violenta ante el progreso duramente conseguido, aunque destacamos que la lucha hoy está bien viva.

La discusión sobre el tema al menos aporta la apertura necesaria para introducir la tolerancia. Pero me atrevo a decir, que lo que se necesita hoy no es sólo tolerancia, sino aceptación generalizada.

Continuemos la discusión y aceptemos la diversidad,

Todos Implicados, Todos Juntos