Lliliput Festival and the Ulls Festival in Barcelona this 2010
The thriving artistic creativity in Barcelona seems to know no bounds, and not only because there are an abundance of galleries, exhibitions, theatre productions, and an endless number of creative events, but because this is literally the case this week. This week Barcelona is hosting two unusual events that will taking place on the streets and in the urban spaces of the city in an attempt to get the habitants of Barcelona closer to the diverse artistic fields, and even, in an attempt to bring back to life some ramshackled and abandoned places in their particular battle against the cold and enormous shopping centres.
Between the 15th of October and the 13th of November fifteen spaces in Cuidat Vella will be converted into show cases displaying diverse artistic offerings. At least this is what the Lliliput Festival, that will be holding their second edition of the event is proposing, a festival in which they are trying to convert the stairs and porters’ lodges of buildings located in small art galleries. The Lliliput will thus be taking place in the so-called kiosk doorways, and old porters’ lodges just off the street, and in open businesses right on the stair landings. Some have fallen into disuse and now they are the base of the smallest festival in the world. Thus, they hope to revitalise the kiosks, as well as divulge creative art in Barcelona. Therefore, for example you will find poems written by Jean-Philippe Peynot, short dance pieces by Miryam Mariblanca, and a strange concert comprising a musical composition for water drops by Arno Fabre, amongst other events. Furthermore, guided tours are being organised on Saturdays with a storyteller for children and adults, amongst other activities. You can check out the exact location of the diverse artist expressions on their website.
On the other hand, the Ulls Festival will be converting Barcelona this week and up to the 17th of October into an artistic language experimentation centre with performances from dozens of European and Latinamerican theatre and dance companies, performances in the street, circus acts, monologues and installations. Ulls will also have a programme dedicated to music with various performances ranging from bossa nova to jazz, hop-hop and electronic music. The different activities will be taking place in various locations such as Plaça Lesseps (where the Brazilian singer Anna Ly will be performing), Rambla de Raval (with street theatre by Yudita), a marquee in Plaça Margadida Xirgu (with reading and art areas, as well as a performance from DJ Suckafrish P. Jones), the Mercado de las Flores (with dance and jazz concerts, and DJs), and other areas and performances that you can find on the Ulls Festival website.
Thus, regardless of the threat of rain the last few days in Barcelona, go out onto the street to enjoy the most artistic and alternative Barcelona thanks to these unusual events, the Lliliput and Ulls Festivals.
