The Passeig de Gràcia Association awards the Sagrada Família Construction Board and Archbishop Omella

Source Summary

The Passeig de Gràcia Association has awarded the XIX Friend of Passeig de Gràcia Prize to the Construction Board of the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Família and the Archbishop of Barcelona, Joan Josep Omella, for their contribution to "culminating" the masterpiece and the most universal project of Antoni Gaudí and for "ambitiously facing the great future challenges of the city". The presentation of the award coincided with a particularly significant moment for the Sagrada Família: the centenary of the death of the so-called architect of God and Pope Leo XIV has visited Barcelona to bless the completion of the tower of Jesus, which has been "a historic moment that strengthens the international projection" of the Catalan capital.The awards were collected at the Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona by the delegate president of the Building Board, Esteve Camps, and Monsignor David Abadías, auxiliary bishop of Barcelona, representing Cardinal Joan Josep Omella, who accompanied the pontiff on his trip to Catalonia. "These awards are a recognition of all the people who have worked for decades to make Antoni Gaudí's dream a reality and to complete a work that belongs to Barcelona and the world," Abadías declared.The president of the Passeig de Gràcia Association, Lluís Sans, explained that the completion of the temple will represent "much more than the culmination of an architectural work": "It is a historic opportunity to demonstrate Barcelona's ability to think big and project itself to the world with confidence, excellence, and a vision for the future". During his speech, Sans assured that the Sagrada Família is "probably the best ambassador Barcelona has in the world" and that everyone has "the responsibility to live up to its legacy". "We know that Gaudí's project to create a park on the three blocks up to Diagonal will not be realized, but we do ask for an ambitious project worthy of the global icon that the Sagrada Família has become," he stated. In this regard, the president of the association emphasized that "the same ambition" needed to complete the Sagrada Família is what "Barcelona needs today" to be "a safe, competitive city, open to the world and capable of leading again through culture, innovation, and creativity".Shops open on Sunday? Sans has also defended a city that continues to attract talent, investment, and economic activity, that preserves its heritage and commercial identity, and that offers services and infrastructure like major international capitals. Hence, he has stated that it would be necessary to "reinforce commercial dynamism" by opening shops on Sundays, improve mobility to "guarantee access to the Eixample also by private vehicle," and "recover the splendor" of the emblematic spaces "that define Barcelona's identity."In this regard, on the issue of security, Sans has positively assessed a decrease in petty theft in Barcelona, which he attributed to the expansion of police forces, operational improvements, and "the expansion of the judicial staff", but has argued that there is "an abuse of the right to demonstrate". And in the area of housing, he has questioned whether to "renounce the offer of tourist apartments", as it is "essential" to maintain the capacity to host business, academic, medical, and tourist activity.