Irina Swain Omeka MetsExport Plugin The software used to generate this document is called Omeka MetsExport, which operates as a plugin for Omeka. Documentation can be found at http://github/MetsExport/ Plaça de Catalunya Plaça de Catalunya The Plaça de Catalunya is located in Barcelona, Spain. Samuel Alvarado, Benjamin Fraser Camille Kresz 02/06/2017 English, Spanish Document, Still Image Plaça de Catalunya Plaça de Catalunya serves an interesting purpose as the point of intersection between the medieval districts of Barcelona and the modernized expansion known as the Eixample. A popular place for tourists, Plaça Catalunya makes two appearances in the worldrenowned book No Word From Gurb by Barcelonan author Eduardo Mendoza. The main character visits the site to “sit and think on a bench,” noting the swarms of tourists and pigeons that congregate there. In his deconstruction of No Word From Gurb, Jeffrey Oxford describes “both the traffic situation and the massive population of pigeons” as markers of a globalizing city (2004: 81; also Mendoza 1990: 89). The square features several artistic sculptures intended to illustrate the city’s rich history while also highlighting the artistic community that has flourished in Barcelona. The Monument to Francesc Macià found in the plaza is an ode to the Catalan history and one of its many heroes. Macià served as president of the Generalitat de Catalunya from 1931 to 1933, also founding the pro-independent party of Catalunya and serving as president of its Republican Left. The monument, constructed out of travertine marble, concrete, iron and bronze, includes imagery of an upside staircase. Although Catalunya has been repeatedly bombarded by negative forces intending to demolish its infrastructure, the people have managed to uphold their identity and come out on top. This staircase symbolizes the uphill battle faced by the Catalan people, who have had to rebuild their upturned society one step at a time. The staircase is set upon a solid concrete base, a reflection of the sturdiness and resilience that has become synonymous with Catalunya.  Item changed by user 26 at 2017-02-14 12:00:44.Updated: Title, Subject, DescriptionItem changed by user 26 at 2017-02-06 18:17:22.Created manually by user