Barcelona news 2019
Here are some of the top news stories from Barcelona in 2019:
Politics
- February 2019: The Catalan government, led by Quim Torra, announced plans to hold a new independence referendum, despite opposition from the Spanish government.
- March 2019: The Spanish government imposed direct rule over Catalonia, dissolving the regional parliament and firing the government.
- June 2019: The Catalan parliament elected a new president, Pere Aragonès, who vowed to continue the push for independence.
Economy
- January 2019: The Port of Barcelona, one of the busiest in Europe, announced a record-breaking year in 2018, with 2.8 million containers handled.
- March 2019: The city's tourism industry was hit by a series of protests and strikes, which affected hotel occupancy rates and revenue.
- October 2019: The Barcelona Stock Exchange (BME) announced plans to merge with the Madrid Stock Exchange (Bolsa de Madrid) to create a single national exchange.
Sports
- June 2019: FC Barcelona won the La Liga title, their 26th championship, after a thrilling season.
- August 2019: The club announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid, in a deal worth €120 million.
- October 2019: Lionel Messi became the all-time leading scorer in La Liga, surpassing Telmo Zarra's record of 251 goals.
Culture
- January 2019: The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) reopened after a major renovation, featuring a new building and expanded exhibition spaces.
- March 2019: The city's famous La Boqueria market was named one of the world's best food markets by the World Food Travel Association.
- September 2019: The Barcelona Opera House (Liceu) celebrated its 150th anniversary with a series of special performances and events.
Infrastructure
- January 2019: The city's new tram line, T10, was inaugurated, connecting the city center with the airport and the coastal towns of Sant Adrià and Badalona.
- March 2019: The Barcelona City Council announced plans to invest €1.2 billion in new infrastructure projects, including a new metro line and a revamped airport terminal.
- October 2019: The city's iconic Sagrada Família cathedral was granted UNESCO World Heritage status, recognizing its cultural and architectural significance.
These are just a few of the many news stories from Barcelona in 2019. If you're looking for more information on a specific topic or event, feel free to ask!