Music School: the show must go on

Last month started a new course at the Montserrat Almirall Municipal Music School of Sitges (EMMMAS) with a new format, adapted stage and renewed hopes. After the sad chapter that involved the discontinuation of this activity last year, due to the economic problems of the concessionaire, the Municipal Government assumed the commitment of having public music studies in Sitges. So now, children and young people resident in Sitges can be educated in this field and, in turn, it also contributes to a cultural and educational system with more options and capabilities.

Facilities at Escola Esteve Barrachina make up the new space for EMMMAS. On 22 October, the 2012/13 course started, retaining the same classes that in previous years. And those first few weeks were enough to enjoy again and check that the spirit of the great music teacher of so many generations people resident in Sitges, Montserrat Almirall, la Senyu, is well preserved in the program and in the vocation of teachers and students.

The relaunched Montserrat Almirall Municipal Music School of Sitges, was possible thanks to the work carried out by the Department of Education of the City Council, in collaboration with Escola Esteve Barrachina. The efforts of the two cooperatives that have taken management and the enthusiasm of the students and their parents were essential. For such a reason, for the City Council it was a priority to provide the school with all instruments capable of insuring the recovery of its activity, while introducing a new management model capable of learning from the errors from the past while ensuring a project according to reality, that would not overstretch our meager resources.

In this way, the restored school had to receive not only the instruments and methods allowing its continuity, but also a down to earth vision, just as any education or cultural project created in our city. Therefore, the fact that Pinyu Martí is the new director is a guarantee that EMMMAS has chosen the path that suits all young people who want to learn music and, ultimately, it is a good decision for Sitges.

The projection of the Stämpfli Foundation
The Facilities of the Stämpfli Foundation - Contemporary Art host from the beginning of this month a new exhibition of their permanent collection. A renewed exhibition of contemporary art by artists of international renown that have been generously donated their works to the village of Sitges.

We will never be grateful enough to the Stämpflis for their love for the town that hosted them. The Foundation Stämpfli, as other previous initiatives promoted by Pere and Anna Maria, as the festival of carrer d'en Bosch or recovering valuable heritage buildings in this same street - were a gift to be thanked for all the merit they deserve. The collection of 80 works of the Foundation, which now expose 35, is a new element that strengthens and projects the cultural profile of Sitges.

El Miramar, an all important legacy for Sitges

Last week, I signed with the Finance and Internal Resources Deputy of the Council for the Province of Barcelona, Carles Russinyol, the free transfer agreement of the Miramar Building to the Sitges City Council during a period of six years. The Miramar Building is the property of the Council for the Province of Barcelona, and is intended for municipal and administrative uses. It is the first time that the use of this building, having a significant public importance and an important part of our legacy, is transferred to the City Hall beyond the limited scope of a legislature. In other words, the duration of the agreement, which goes against the dominant trend in recent years, was conceived having our future in mind and not only our present needs. The decision blatantly ignored any political speculation about which political party will rule over the City Hall and the Council for the Province of Barcelona.

The above mentioned agreement will allow the relocation of a substantial portion of municipal offices, which for nearly two years have been concentrated at the Sitges Reference Building. Such building was located at the Pruelles area, way out of the center. The transfer is crucial to definitively put an end to the pathetic political period that gave rise to the new building, a ruinous business for the City Hall. Because of wrong decisions lacking any foresight taken by the last government, the City Hall was forced to allocate money for two counts: as an initial investment and to pay a deranged monthly rent during years that was totally absurd and should have never been paid under normal conditions. The Sitges Reference is a case study, showcasing the public administration model that led to the critical financial situation that we suffer today.

The Miramar Building will house municipal offices on the upper floors and keep the first floor and the ground floor partly for cultural and public use, hoping that such facilities will be at the service of organizations and associations of Sitges. The lack of other public facilities capable of lodging municipal offices and the express refusal of the government to spend money on unnecessary rentals, is the main reason advising the partial restructuring of Miramar Building in City Council offices. The necessary placement of municipal offices does not alter the artistic and creative function of the building in the cultural map of our town. The Department of Culture will manage the areas of ground and first floors for exhibitions, activities, screenings and other cultural initiatives.

This measure, coupled with a rigorous planning of municipal services and attention to the public, will reduce on one hand the astronomical accumulated deficit and, secondly, to recover the centrality of most municipal offices, while continuing to answer to the cultural needs of Sitges.

Property Taxes: Myths and Legends

On October 16, before a large audience at the Miramar Building Audience, our Councilor of Finance and Public Innovation, Jordi Mas, presented in open court the reasons why we were forced to revise property tax and clarified the doubts of owners properties located in Sitges. On Wednesday, I myself had the opportunity to attend a similar event with residents of Garraf and Les Botigues. I explained them the reasons and motives that compelled such an action.

For the Government I preside, it is not a satisfaction to raise taxes, let alone in times of crisis as we live. But there are times that Governments are bound to take unpleasant, unpopular and painful solutions. Even including decisions forced by mandatory law. This is one of those times.

The economic situation of the City Council is, as we all know, very rough and complex. A year and a half ago we inherited an unsustainable debt and deficit that requires urgent and essential measures for its reduction. Since we won elections and formed government, we have applied a policy of austerity that notably reduced spending. For example, salaries of elected and trust officers were reduced 400,000 Euros annually. And all items relating to investment agreements, grants and other activities have also suffered forceful drastic reductions. Let's not remember that budgets allocated to festivities were also drastically cut (the budget of our Main Festivity dropped by 50% over their original budget). Representation went down more than 80%. There was no other option due to the existing high debt and deficit. And those who now question this decision were the ones that were not rigorous and serious enough to do it when they were in power. They did not show any responsibility to people living in Sitges..

The increase in Property Tax will offset the dificcult situation faced municipal finance provoked by irresponsible and poor management of the past government. The revision of property tax is regulated by the Ministry of Finance and Public Administration that determines that the assessment of property values must be madeevery ten years. The previous revision was carried in 1994, so the city of Sitges did not comply with the law for years. And not only the law, but the fact that property taxes were not raised in better economic times, as would have been more reasonable, forced us to do it in a very complex economic condition for all. The rate increase was planned to be done steps during 10 years. Next year, the average increase will be 20%: for 2014 the forecast is at 6%, and in 2015, 4%.In any way, as some groups have expressed in a malicious way, the increase does not stands at 300% or any other figure than those just given.

We are fully aware that this is hardly a measure appreciated by taxpayers, but I want that the all the residents of Sitges know that there was no other option if we did not want to take City to a dead end, the consequences of which would have been catastrophic for everyone: residents, businesses and town.
Desiring to make more bearable the increase, we enabled payment facilities (can be split into three parts) and at the same time, we have turned a line of funding for people over 65 years, since this is one of segments of the population that accumulates more difficulties. The recipients of the grants can process them through Oficina d'Atenció Ciutadana (Public Attention Office) until next 31 October.

Approaching the Festival to Sitges

Sunday ended 45th edition of the Sitges - International Film Festival of Catalonia with a resounding public success and feeling very positive for the town: the Festival is approaching to Sitges.Actions such short documentaries on the beach, the decoration of streets and venues of potentiation offered by Retiro, with a second opening of the Festival or the Prado, with preclosing gala.

From the Town Hall of Sitges we are aware of the importance of associating the festival with the image of our town.It was noy (and is not) sufficient the presence of the mane of the town at the contest, it is necessary to display its geographical and social. the very same place where the Festival was born since it is a undentifiable part of its genesos but also of his character anf future.Sitges, as an population and sentiment, is a central part of this film event.

Sitges 2012 chose this path and has made that ​​the most characteristic places of our town were present in all the media.A clear example is the TV report that will be aired on Cinema 3 of TV3, with an exclusive interview with filmmaker Neil Jordan filmed om por promenade with our church as background.

Another important fact has been conducting talks after screenings of films (postscreenings) in the Prado, Retiro and other nof profit ocial institutions of our town that aso act as movie theaters.This action reinforces the role of the two movie theaters in the town as places with their own strength and presence in the programming of a festival, that screened more than 250 films thanks to the fantastic work of a team led by Angel Sala. I feel I have to highlight the involvement of sponsors who continue to rely on the festival, I must also rely the importance of restaurateurs that prepared The Fantastic Menú ,stores have prepared their shops and windows for the ocasion, or many children from schools of Sitges that made drawns of festival to show it to everyone that walked our streets these days.

Much remains to be done, but the most important thing is that we already begun to walk in a direction that favors Sitges, wich includes the town's economic revitalization.The Festival can not be understood without Sitges and its people.The year's edition has shown that the Festival returns to undertake an orientation that includes and unites the the most important festival of the world in his specialization, and that our population in intimately associated with the Festival since its it birth and has seen it grow and become part of its DNA.

An entirely fantastic Sitges

Today we inaugurate the 45th edition of the Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia for all of us, the festival. For ten days, Sitges attracts the attention of film lovers, especially those with a craving for fantastic films. They make our town a destination for film lovers, artists, institutions and representatives of industry and the media.

Last night I had the opportunity to meet with the team and volunteers who make possible the organization and operation of the Festival and I delivered a message: during those ten days you have the Sitges Brand in your hands. . The Festival is an initiative of Sitges with an important international projection. The cost of the impact it has on the media is an exceptional investment, which allows the name of our town to be known everywhere.

The Festival was born 45 years ago thanks to the initiative of a group of people from Sitges. During this time, it has grown and expanded formats, it has changed its name, has adapted to the new demands and needs and has become the most important film festival specialized in fantasy films in the world. For Sitges, it is a first-class event and a source of satisfaction. We are very prideful for the level of recognition that the Festival enjoys today.

This year, just as last year's festival, we have stressed its character as a genuine cultural product from Sitges. The double feature inauguration tonight gathers such an ambiance, a top priority for the City Hall. The auditorium at the Melia is a first class facility, whereby the Festival has achieved a projection that in no way would have been possible. But, a Festival without Sitges, its milieu and atmosphere would not be what it is. For this reason, the right balance of the two factors and its perfect combination is the key to transform the Sitges - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, the festival into a first-class cultural event. And we feel proud.

A Festivity that seduces us

Santa Tecla marks the end of our calendar of summer festivities. It's the end of the season, the right moment to close one door and open another. It is just when Sitges finds itself and reckons its environment. It is just like the fall ambiance, that changes and returns in a more pristine way. Santa Tecla is a Festivity that we have learned to love even more as time passes, a Festivity engrained in our DNA. More than a celebration, we are talking about a heartfelt feeling.

With your permission, I will repeat the greeting of Santa Tecla.

"More than a celebration, we are talking about a heartfelt feeling

Flageolets, bagpipers, drums, powder, sticks beating the ground or against each other, the band and the Cobla, the traditional Catalan music ensemble used to accompany Sardanas. For Santa Tecla, everything is combined in a balanced and dynamic symphony, that makes us enjoy the Festivity in a frenzied pace, and in a fun for the whole family mood. And all the people that share a feeling of brotherhood become a big family, all those that share a feeling and an outright love for a Festivity that we live with passion and commitment. 

The world stops as the communion of all these elements takes the streets. The kids are no longer mere spectators to become the real stars of the festivity. For many, such an event represents weeks of hard work and assays, threading needles and sewing so all the kiddy dances and interludes, kiddy giants and beasts of fire look splendorous for the people who are waiting anxiously. Each contribution is necessary, every job is important, and all efforts add up to birth a feeling that goes beyond the celebration. 

All such things added together produce a feeling that, this year, will expand beyond the Old Town to approach the neighborhood of Poble Sec, thanks Sandra Rubí, the person that accompanies the banner of the Procession of Santa Tecla. The Civic Procession of 22 September will follow a very peculiar route that will begin in Carrer de Pins Vens, will visit Cases Noves and will have to overcome the railroad tracks and reach the Parish, leaving behind never seen images of dances and interludes on streets that had never seen them. 

Without prejudice to regulations related to opening hours of shops in tourist towns, and respecting the rights granted to civil servants, the Town Council dearly recommends to all business owners to keep their shops closed, so everybody can enjoy such an important celebration.

In addition, it is requested not to park any vehicle on the route of the Civic Procession of 22 September, and on the route of the Kiddy Matinee and the Procession of Santa Tecla on 23 September. Without prejudice to any possible application of the law in case of unlawful parking, the Town Hall will not be liable for any damage that may occur as a result of the development of events related to Santa Tecla in the above mentioned streets to properties, such properties include vehicles, shop awnings and windows and homes.

Just a few weeks ago, Sitges held its Main Festivity and, during the next days, we will repeat again the sounds, images and smells that are typical of our idiosyncrasy, everything that makes us feel as people from Sitges. We will do it for Santa Tecla, our Patron Saint, and for our traditions, the traditions of Sitges and our country. 

To all residents of Sitges, enjoy the Festivity! Let the entire family gout out and celebrate, let children show off all the work they have done to honor our Patron Saint. Let friends and acquaintances reunite to share moments decorated with feeling. Please, participate, but do it with respect and civility, and experience Santa Tecla with the intensity it deserves.

  

Long live Sitges and long live Santa Tecla!

Miquel Forns i Fusté

Mayor of Sitges"

A Sept. 11 bound to be a historical milestone

A year ago, Sitges played a very important role in the official celebration of the National Day of Catalonia. All residents of Sitges were thrilled by the participation of our iconic Moixiganga dance in such an important celebration, organized by the Catalonian Government.

A year later, the scenario offered by the Spanish state shows the signs of a terrible upheaval. The hunger for Catalonian Independence has experienced a dramatic growth, and now is shared by most of the inhabitants of our country. The current situation marked by a devastating crisis is one of the reasons, since the fiscal deficit of Catalonia is terribly unfair for Catalans, but the growing and overhanging sensation that the Spanish State has not assumed and will not assume our national identity as a nation among nations, has boosted the number of Catalans that believe that the only possible solution is to break away from Spain.

Our National Day is an institutional commemoration and a festivity, but has never ceased to be a day for demands, at least for those that believe in the full independence of our country. This year, the demanding character has acquired a heightened importance, because most Catalans feel that we must take a step forward to insure our future as a Nation and the welfare of our citizens.

If I may, I will reproduce the PROCLAMATION published for the National Day: 

"PROCLAMATION FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF CATALONIA"

To all people living in Sitges,

As every year, the National Day held on the Eleventh of September also comes to our town. A day in which we commemorate the events of September 11, 1714. We pay tribute to the figure of Rafael Casanova and to all the Catalans who fought and died for the freedom and rights of Catalonia.

September 11 also serves to vindicate our desire to be ourselves, to have our own culture, our own language and our institutions. Our country is very proud and lives it with legitimacy; hence, we will never surrender our identity and our sovereignty.

It is therefore necessary, much more in a time of severe turmoil, to leave aside what divides us and materialize everything that unites us all. We need unit, but also loyalty to our country and its institutions. The fate of the Catalan nation is in the hands of all and we require an uncompromising commitment.

Catalonia needs us. From the towns and cities of our country, we can contribute to return our beloved land to its fully deserved place. Our council is committed to the country and therefore, in our National Day, we are contributing our bit to build a Catalonia founded on progress, equality, freedom and social justice, the Catalonia we all want.

We need more than ever to defend Catalonia, show it to the world, so we invite you to adorn your balconies with the flag of our country, the "senyera".

I also invite you to live our National Day in an intense manner, and take part in the official ceremony that will be held in Sitges, September 11 at 11 am, in front of the monument to Doctor Robert at the Town Hall Square.

We live National Day with our freedom looming over the horizon.

Long live Sitges! Long live Catalonia!

Miquel Forn i Fusté

Mayor of Sitges "