Illiteracy 2.0
The term ‘illiterate’ refers to a person who cannot read or write. However, a person who, although familiar with the basic letters, is unable to understand texts or carry out simple calculations may also be considered functionally illiterate. At the end of the 19th century, the illiteracy rate among the inhabitants of Barceloneta stood at […]
On Squares, Streets and Plaques
You will have noticed, dear reader, that in our neighbourhood, as in so many others, the names of certain streets, squares or promenades change over time, depending on who is in power – and perhaps also on passing fashions. To begin with, this causes no small amount of trouble for residents who have to update […]
Am I from the neighborhood or am I in the neighborhood?
Who would have thought? The neighbourhood was already an example of innovation more than 150 years ago. La Maquinista was at the forefront of the country’s industry and remained so for decades. Who would have thought? The neighbourhood continues to be an example of technological innovation 150 years later. Some of the most advanced digital, […]
Don’t watch TV so much and look at yourself in the mirror more
The following advice is from this wonderful women that appears on the front page. Unlike some chefs, she is delighted to share her recipes to enjoy life to the fullest at 90 years old! Seeing her with the “boys and girls” at her daily gym class, chatting with her over a beer, or having the […]
Not even good for wiping your ass
If you read page 5 of this magazine, our dear Isa, historian and main contributor, reveals that the appearance of the daily press back in the 18th century solved, to a large extent, a sometimes cumbersome and until then not easily solved necessity: wiping one’s arse. It is understood that we mean doing so after […]
Essencia Barceloneta turns 3 years old
With this issue #12 Essencia Barceloneta celebrates its first three years. It may seem like a long or a short time, we don’t know; but if anything, it hasn’t been easy. We can assure you. It’s not easy to put out a publication (and website) out every three months with the means and resources that «are what […]
Will we come out stronger and better?
It has once again been a privilege for Essència Barceloneta to have Dr. Güerri on board. This time, he reminds us of what the damned pandemic was like. As a highly active protagonist, he tells us what it was like to experience this difficult time from the inside. Today, five years later, we are struck […]
Barceloneta is a woman
The importance of women in Barceloneta has always existed, back when terms such as feminism, empowerment and gender equality were still unknown, women have always been entrepreneurs or heads of household In this neighborhood, creating and moving their businesses and homes forward. Both the home, while their husbands were at sea, in the factory or […]
Identity
The term identity is defined as the set of unique features that characterize a person compared to others, a group or, if it concerns us, a neighbourhood. Those of us who already have grey or bald hair, long for, and even demand, a neighbourhood identity that for us has not always evolved for the better. […]
Essència Barceloneta turns 2 years old
A lot, little? Don’t know. At least it’s longer than many Barça coaches last. We hope to have fulfilled our initial objective of letting people know something more, both to locals and strangers, about what this neighborhood of l’Ostia has been, is and will be. But it is true that it is being a very […]
A summer of records
Summer has already come. Although we have been in short sleeves for months, it has officially begun. And it may already be getting too long for you. But this won’t be just any summer. It looks like it’s going to be one full of sporting events, although neither you nor I are in shape to […]
Amazon’s smile
Initially, they called it globalization. The fact is that here, they were selling to the Chinese and I am not sure that we would do the same in China. After that, a sort of cloning appeared, which was baptized with the name of franchise. They were the same and they were in my neighborhood, but […]
A reference
We are in the high season of leaders -or pseudo-leaders- of the most varied kind. They are presented to us in the form of politicians, influencers, tiktokers, coachings and panelists, among other appearances. They usually approach us "with premeditation and malice aforethought", through screens, TV, tablet or mobile. They are characters who try – and often succeed – […]
If only they hadn’t been demolished…
In 30 years, things change a lot and, if you look at old photos, you will see that people change even more. But it’s not our job to depress anyone. Our only intention is to throw a little imagination and think about what our picnic areas could have become if they had managed to stay […]
Our traditions
Traditions are those specific customs of each society that are maintained, learned, and passed from generation to generation. These manifestations are a valuable part of our cultural legacy, of our history. Some are lost due to a lack of follow-up, lack of support, simply because of distraction or because they are mistakenly considered outdated. Others […]
Reminiscence
To reminisce is to evoke, to remember something we have experienced, known, or learned. It is a verb which use increases with age. Some say that it is a sign of longing, of missing other times that we consider better. To reminisce sounds like the past, like grandfather’s tales, grandmother’s anecdotes, mother’s stories or father’s […]
We are from the sea
Born of the sea. Surrounded by the sea. With the smell of the sea. Barceloneta is the sea. It could have been built on the coast, as all seaside towns are, but it insisted on being born by the seaside, on land stolen away from the Mediterranean. Later, it was the sea that brought many […]
It’s time to give our thanks!
The beginnings of a project are not usually easy. But at Essència Bareloneta we have been lucky enough to have the company and support of more people than we had imagined. They, all of you and you personally, are largely to “blame” for making a project that was originally more emotional than rational possible. That’s […]
Barceloneta, positive
For many, including ourselves, Barceloneta is a unique neighbourhood in one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. We, therefore, think it is especially unfair that lately Barceloneta has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. We will not turn a blind eye to the evidence; there are problems, and they need to […]