* Johan Cruyff agrees to coach Catalonia team free of charge Nov 4, 2009
Its a role that has no remuneration and I thank him very much and I think Catalan soccer and Catalonia should feel proud, Casals was quoted as saying in the Spanish media ... Cruyff, who moved to the Catalan capital from Ajax Amsterdam to play for Barca in 1973 and led them to a European Cup triumph as coach in 1992, has not taken charge of a team since he quit Barca in 1996 ... He has embraced Catalan culture since his move to Barcelona, where he still lives, and named his son Jordi... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
‘The Silence Before Bach’ finds the pureness in music and more Aug 20, 2009
The 79-year-old Catalan has directed eight features and a number of shorts over the years, produced Luis Buuel s still-shocking Viridiana (1961) (and briefly became an enemy of the state in the process), has written screenplays, acted in films, and served as a senator and a member of the Catalonian parliament. But because Portabella refuses to release his movies on video, he s virtually unknown outside his home country. (Boston Globe)
Country profile: Spain Jul 29, 2009
In 2006 a Catalan referendum backed by the central government gave the region greater autonomy. The Catalans won nation status within Spain and the region's parliament gained extra powers in taxation and judicial matters ... Major languages: Spanish (Castilian), Catalan and its variant Valencian, Gallego (Galician), Euskera (Basque). (BBC News -- Europe)
Strange But True Feb 10, 2009
Frenchman Lluis Colet broke the world record for the longest speech after rambling nonstop for 124 hours about Spanish painter Salvador Dali, Catalan culture and other topics. Pornography, diets and sperm donation have all failed, but Thai authorities said that a rare cold spell has boosted hopes that the country's famously celibate giant pandas could produce a cub. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Tiny village hits El Gordo lottery jackpot Feb 8, 2009
Xavier Gabriel, a lottery vendor from a town in the north-east called Sort, which means luck in Catalan, has turned his business into Spain's largest internet store, selling 75m of tickets online each year. Spaniards are among the biggest gamblers in Europe. (Yahoo News -- Gambling & Lottery)
