LIBRO CERCLE

8 Presentation S ince it was founded, the Artistic Circle has proven its vocation to spread and publish art and culture. Over time, its collection has been slowly enriched, always open to the city in its constant efforts to create and maintain links with society. The archives of the library, although by themselves they represent an interesting route through Catalan art history from 1800 onwards, are above all a valuable col- lectionofwhat 19th-centuryBarcelonasocial andcultural lifewas like: the Circle, for whose prestige and value we fight for, has also been from itsbeginningsaplacewithamarkedsocial and leisurecharacter. Itsmemorablemaskedballswere thedelight of theCatalanbourgeoi- sie, reaching the height of their magnificence around 1901, proof of the effervescence of the Barcelona art industries at the time. Proces- sions, poster competitions, carnivals and various celebrations were just a few of the most anticipated events throughout the year, where the crème de la crème of Barcelona society had their yearly meet- ing. For a few years now we have been working enthusiastically so that we recover the glories of our original splendour, but always with the independence that has characterised us and let us follow lines of work that are conditioned exclusively by a search for excellence and not by economic interest. Andalthough theCirclehasbenefitted from the income providedby renting out its spaces, thiswould never have beenpossiblewithout the existence of the valuablepatronage that its members represent, especially so for all that have had the sensitivity andaltruismnecessary to remain loyal tousalbeit not benefitting from everything that theCircle offers itsmembers. We are living in exciting times marked by great changes. Soon, the Circlewill recover its lost spaces andwill be able to start the second part of our refurbishment that started with the works that allowed us to incorporate a fabulous restaurant. We love our history, but we are looking to the futureand throughout all these years that I havehad the pleasure of presiding theCircle, it hasworked stoically to free itself of all the ties that stopped it moving forward, professionalising the com- munication sector, optimising its resources, promoting its chamber orchestraand reclaiming someof itsmostmemorableandacclaimed traditions.