(In Spanish)

Honorable Mayoress of Barcelona,

Because of the order to cease activitites issued to "La Virgen: Despacho Cultural" by the District of Ciutat Vella, the undersigned - members, neighbors, artists and citizens - ask the cooperation of Barcelona City Council to find a solution to enable it and other entities like it, to continue activities in a viable manner, which current legislation does not allow.

"La Virgen: Despacho Cultural" is a meeting place for artists and residents of the Raval that promotes co-existence between people of different backgrounds, disciplines and diverse beliefs, something that we consider very positive for strengthening the cultural diversity and cohesion of the social fabric of the neighborhood and the city.

The current regulations in Barcelona have made it increasingly difficult for artists to show their work freely in these spaces, and not in the street. We believe one should respect and promote spaces that welcome artists who do not have access to large institutional or commercial channels. At the same time, the public/members gain access to varied and diverse cultural events: poetry readings, art exhibitions, photography, film, theater and live music, etc.

If a change does not occur in the regulations put into place by the preceding government, most locales and associations that offer small format performances are doomed to disappear.

This would be an unacceptable decline in the cultural life of the city.

So far, the conditions imposed by the City Council are unworkable and this unfortunately means that the first tier of culture - that is to say, musicians and artists seeking to professionalize their vocation - is being eroded. The result would be - and in fact already is - a city full of large-scale festivals, yet unable to develop its own culture which, ultimately, can transcend the considerations of the financial sector. In addition, the eradication of these associations results in the respective loss of jobs, weakening the already precarious cultural sector.

In short, we ask the current City Council to do everything possible to support this and other citizen-led initiatives which promote culture, creativity, diversity, tolerance and co-existence, values that have characterized this city for many years and should not to be lost. This is why we request the re-examination, re-evaluation and modification of unviable local regulations for small-scale locales, as well as the repeal of existing orders for cessation of activities issued against cultural associations.