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World Press Photo Exhibition 2007

Shocking, moving and utterly awe-inspiring since arriving in Barcelona last week, the World Press Photo Exhibition has been the talk of town. World Press Photo is an independent organization which was founded in the Netherlands in 1955 and has become the leading platform of photo journalism. This haunting exhibition brings together the winning entries of the prestigious 2007 World Press Photo competition which was held earlier this year.

From the harrowing aftermath of an oil pipe explosion in Nigeria to airborne descent of a swimmer into the pool this exhibition tracks world news of 2006. The 177 photo exhibition begins with the most shocking images, portraying war or post-disaster scenes. The photo which I personally found the most moving portrayed an American couple on their wedding day. Recently returned from Irak, the bridegroom’s mutant-like face is a direct and hard hitting result of military intervention and the impact on one individual citizen.

The exhibition is currently taking place in the Centro Cultural Contemporánia de Barcelona, just a few minutes walk from las Ramblas in the northern part of the Raval district. Admission is free and the exhibition is open from 11-20h every day (except Monday) and will remain in Barcelona until 11th November. If you are looking to stay in this vibrant area of the city near to the World Press Photo exhibition barcelona apartments

Barcelona International Jazz Festival 2007

From the opening concert on 20th October to the finale on the 1st of December, Barcelona's long anticipated Voll Damm 39 International Jazz Festival is soon to hit the streets and concert halls of the city and surrounding suburbs. Long considered a hub of European jazz, Barcelona will welcome some of the biggest stars of the jazz world to Barcelona International Jazz Festival 2007. Previously giving a warm welcome to stars like Jamie Callum and Herbie Hancock this year the festival boasts yet another star-studded guest list.

The festival will open with a free concert in Passeig Joan de Borbó on 20th October at 19.00 starring la Parco della Musica Jazz Orchestra who proud to be making their first appearance in the city. What’s more, for the first time, the festival will extend beyond the boundaries of the city centre with concerts also taking place in L'Hospitalet and Sant Cugat.

Highlights of the six week programme include The Manhatten Transfer. Performing on 6th November in L'Auditori this group boasts over 30 years of success as a group with a whole string of top hits to their name both in Europe and the United States. Most commonly known for their signature "Birdland" which earned them their first Grammy in 1980, this popular group has successfully managed to fuse genres, exceptionally winning a Grammy for both pop and jazz in the same year. With tickets from 28 euros this is surely an event of the jazzophile's calendar that should not be missed.

The city of Barcelona is also proud to welcome Omette Coleman to the Palau de la Música Catalana on 7th November at 21.00. Coleman is widely considered a free spirit and ultimate jazz icon, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Music award. His energy and passion ooze through every note he plays and it seems fitting that his concert should take place in what has been described as ‘one of Modernism’s chief exponents’. La Palau de la Música Catalana was constructed at the turn of the century and inaugurated in 1908. Declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997, it is a renowned international venue and hub of Catalan musical life.

 
To make the most of this vibrant festival, why not stay in a barcelona apartment so you can explore the city on foot while enjoying this exciting festival.