Bellprat Vila Del Llibre

Bellprat is a little village in the province of Anoia that in 2008 converted itself into the first "Book Town" in Catalonia, following the example of other small towns who have grouped themselves under the denomination book town.

The Book Town in this context is a second opportunity for this poor rural village which although in an area of natural beauty has suffered population decline ( last census 91 souls), it has many empty properties which for one weekend in the year transform themselves into exhibition spaces, bookshops and lecture theatres.

On the weekend of 13/14 October this year there were ten formal events , 12 well known Catalan authors and a host of visitors to celebrate the weekend.

Our good friend Enric Bono is the driving force behind the whole project, a man of eormous enthusiasm and the power to inspire a crowd of volunteers he has now been the master of ceremony for the last five years. This weekend hosted an exhibition that lead you through the village tracing the history of book making, my photograph is of just one small part ,the manufacture and distillation of various plants, fungi, minerals and barks to produce inks and colours.

This initiative has had a number of knock on effects. Apart from putting Bellprat firmly on the cultural map of Catalonia, it has led to other events centred on the town, next week a Castellada, or human castle followed by a communal supper. Next year a series of fairs are planned and already several of the derelict properties have been bought and are in the process of restoration.

Small communities in Scotland take note, it can be done!!