A few years ago there were places in Barcelona where only members of civil society or the upper bourgeoisie were allowed to enter. Most of these spaces have closed and only some have been reinvented. The Equestrian Circle is one of them. On Tuesday, going through the door, I saw that Salvador Illa was leaving. The socialist leader, who has already left behind those enormous American jackets that only allowed a glimpse of the tips of his fingers, is one of the most desired men by that reinvented Barcelona civil society. Some see him as the only alternative to Ada Colau and others as the substitute for Pere Aragonés. Behind him appeared the Government delegate, Maria Eugènia Gay, whom others also pose as a solution to so much mediocrity. In short, that the Circle, like Illa, have been modernized. Now, in the Equestrian, one can enter without a tie, meet young entrepreneurs and a good number of women. And I say this, because they, the women, were prohibited from entering until 1982.
By the way, a few meters up Balmes Street, in the chef’s restaurant, Fermí Puig, the man who for many years was the leader of that civil society ate. I mean Jordi Pujol who is one step away from turning 92, but remains in shape.
‘Guardiola for president’
On Monday Jaume Guardiola presented his candidacy for the presidency of the Cercle. Before arriving, I stopped in front of the Santa Eulàlia store where Juan Antonio Samaranch had the suit he wore at the opening of the Barcelona Olympics made. The clients of Santa Eulàlia are always wealthy, but now, as in the Equestrian, everything breathes modernity. Of course, the cheapest suit costs 1,290 euros and you can pay 390 euros for a simple Balmain t-shirt by the French designer, Olivier Rousteins. I don’t know what the man with a mask who came out with four huge bags accompanied by the person in charge of the store with two suits would pay. Luckily between them, his chauffeur and his skinny bodyguard were able to relocate everything inside a black Audi.
Anyway, I cross Passeig de Gràcia and spot a parade of men. Guardiola’s presentation was a success. Total overbooking. Even Salvador Alemany had to stay in the last row. Far away from him, that is, in the first, was Josep Oliu. The president of Sabadell stood up to intervene. When he took off his mask, his glasses flew out and despite falling from very high they were unharmed. Oliu congratulated his second in a show of affection. There was Joan Mas Cantí, Miquel Roca, Carles Cuatrecasas, who made a magnificent intervention, Martínez Rovira, Sixte Cambra, Jordi Moix, Jordi Llauradó, Tatxo Benet, David Madí or the director of Mirabaud in Barcelona, Joan Verdaguer. By the way, this banker, hours before, had presented an interesting conference with the investment guru of this Swiss bank, John Plassard. Regarding women: few, but warriors. Few because in the Cercle there are only 15% female members. Ana Balletbó, Camino Quiroga, Silvia Alsina and Núria Cabutí led the female representation while Montse Pinyol showed off her magnificent oratorical skills.
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Jaume Guardiola was optimistic about Barcelona. He argued that the future lies in technology, digital or health companies and we already have them here. In addition, he also stated that the Cercle must be opened to the new civil society. The one that has different concerns and that is no longer just made up of traditional Catalan families. Now you can find members of civil society collecting plastics on a beach on the Costa Brava, creating sustainable businesses or going to work by bicycle. Well that. Tomorrow, by the way, Rosa Cañadas will appear.
photos with love
And between so many men, suit and tie I leave the Cercle and On a terrace of Rambla Catalunya I meet the always cheerful and fun actress and model, Clara Privat. He explains to me that his father, Toni Privat, has presented the exhibition, ‘Pagesia / Bellesa’, where he collects photographs of his last two projects. The next day I go to Il Mondo Gallery on Calabria Street. More than 40 fantastic images taken with an analog camera and film collect details where Toni Privat shows us his interesting point of view of life and beauty. It is very worth it. They have time to visit it until June 17.