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Chronicles of La Rambla -
"This light wind from La Rambla has the virtue of transforming the most superficial part of our organism into the deepest part of our existence"
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Defining La RamblaJosep Pla (1897-1981), who is considerated the best prose writer of the Catalan language, was trapped by one of the most cosmopolitan streets in the world. That’s not news. La Rambla has always been an indicator of Barcelona’s political and cultural life, especially at the beginning of the 20th century. The author of El cuaderno gris stood out for his ability to find out the most suitable adjective and La Rambla was not an exception: he described the street as "Barcelona’s top civic artery for centuries." -
The art of distractionYoung Pla was from Palafrugell (Girona) and he studied at the University of Barcelona. He finished a Law degree but would work as a journalist and writer. He was a correspondent for different publications in France, Italy or Germany. He would recall from his student days Ateneo Barcelones’ social gatherings and his walks (or the art of”being distracted”, as he said once) through his beloved La Rambla: "It is imposing with all these lights people and money". -
Salty and lovingOne of the best descriptions of La Rambla came from young Josep Pla’s pen. In his book Barcelona, una discusión entrañable, goes over the Catalan capital’s geography, paying special attention to its most iconic street. Curiously, he devotes a whole chapter to the wind that blows through La Rambla, which are "salty and loving". He also talks about "the mint freshness of the corner’s attack”. Concerning the Liceu, he wrote it was "A fascinating, magnificent, living showcase based on pure exhibitionism"..
