On 4 July, the director of UIC Barcelona School of Architecture, Josep Lluís i Ginovart became a member of the Societat Filiau d’Istòria, Patrimòni e Identitat (History, Heritage and Identity Affiliate Association), a recently-established academic body that forms part of the Institute of Aranese Studies – Aranese Academy of the Occitan Language.

The association aims to research and study the history and all heritage-related matters –natural, cultural, moveable, immovable and intangible– as well as any other scientific or cultural field related to Aranese and Occitan cultural identity.  The association also endeavours to promote research by holding conferences, symposiums, exhibitions and cultural visits. 

“UIC Barcelona has been collaborating with both the Aran General Council and the Aranese Academy of the Occitan Language for years. Our architecture students receive a warm welcome from both institutions whenever we visit the Val d’Arán.  The unique nature of Aranese culture and language makes a real impression on our students, who come from all over the world, and offers them distinguishing examples of culture, language and architecture", says Josep Lluís i Ginovart.  

The association’s first meeting in the Val d’Aran capital, Vielha, will take place on 3 August. All members will be officially welcomed into the association and will elect a president to head up the team for the next four years.