Overview
- The showcase at Madrid’s Círculo de Bellas Artes presented Barcelona’s 2026 cultural program as a platform for closer intercity cultural and tourism cooperation.
- Speakers promoted institutional exchanges, joint programming and a proposed Madrid–Barcelona cultural pole to strengthen international visibility.
- Turisme de Barcelona president Jordi Clos called for rising tourist-tax receipts to be earmarked to expand Barcelona’s cultural offer.
- Arte Madrid’s president Pablo Flórez cited a 38% rise in visitors motivated by culture in Madrid in recent years as evidence of growing demand.
- The event opened with a minute of silence for Adamuz rail victims, featured no political speeches due to mourning, and saw Barcelona’s mayor Jaume Collboni appear at the end.