Social Program

Welcome Reception

Monday, July 8

The Welcome Reception will take place in La Llotja (conference venue) immediately after the last afternoon session. The event will be organized in the outside square and will include drinks and snacks along with a short exhibition of Catalan culture—for instance, Castellers (human towers).

Food Tasting and Castle Visit

Tuesday, July 9

A tasting of local products will be offered to participants in La Llotja immediately after the afternoon session. It will include, among other products, freshly cut dry-cured ham and locally produced wine (PDO Costers dels Segre). After the tasting, buses will be organized to visit the monumental complex on the top of the Seu Vella mound, where the Old Cathedral, the remains of an older Arabic palace or the former ice cave of the city, are located.

Mid-Conference Tours

Wednesday, July 10

Tour 1—Musical Lleida

Classical guitar concert performing popular pieces of the traditional style of several Spanish composers. The concert will be performed by the well-known local singer Montserrat Seró (voice) and musician Carles Herraiz (Spanish guitar). The concert will take place in Lleida. At the end of the concert, participants will be offered a light snack of cava and canapés.

1830 h: Guitar concert
2000 h: End of the activity

Tour 2—Romanesque Lleida

Guided visit to Diocesan Museum of Lleida, the city's flagship museum, where archaeological remains, paintings, and sculptures from centenarian collections are conserved. After the visit to the museum, a bus will drive participants to Raimat winery, where they will have the chance to discover the details of the modernist winery and savor the quality of their wines.

Distance from Lleida: 15 km

1330 h: Bus departs to museum
1800 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 3—Land of Olives and Wine

The Artists’ Vineyard (Vinya dels Artistes) at La Pobla de Cérvoles merges art and wine. Participants will visit a vineyard that hosts sculptures and large-scale installations made by different artists. A guided visit of the cellar and a wine and extra-virgin olive oil tasting will also be offered.

Distance from Lleida: 50 km

1330 h: Bus departs to La Pobla de Cérvoles
1900 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 4—Land of History

Travel back in time to the 12th century by visiting the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet. It is the most populated monastic enclosure in Europe. After the visit, a taste of wine will be offered in a renowned winery in the vicinity of Poblet.

Distance from Lleida: 60 km

1300 h: Bus departs to the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet
1900 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 5—Land of Character

On the threshold of the Pyrenees, Barbastro is the capital of Somontano County in the neighbouring region of Aragon. The tour will stop at Sommos cellar, a project of architecture, design, and modernity, with 355 hectares of vines in Denomination of Origin Somontano. The tour will benefit from a 90-minute guided tour for beginners and amateurs in wine.

Distance from Lleida: 65 km

1330 h: Bus departs to Barbastro
1800 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 6—Land of Nature

The Mont-Rebei Gorge, over the Noguera Ribagorçana River, is the largest gorge in Catalonia. It is a wildlife refuge for great birds of prey, which are typical of the cliffs, particularly hawks, vultures, and eagles. The gorge can be reached on foot but can also be visited by boat or kayak. Given the hot temperatures in July, a visit to the riverside will be organized for participants.

Distance from Lleida: 95 km

1300 h: Bus departs to Mont-Rebei
1900 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 7—Barcelona on Your Own

Barcelona offers many options to visit in a day, from modernist buildings to Boqueria Food Market or a walk through the Gothic Quarter or Barceloneta Beach. In this tour, you will have the chance to stroll freely through Barcelona all afternoon.

Distance from Lleida: 150 km

1230 h: Bus departs to Barcelona
2030 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Tour 8—Modernist Barcelona

Guided visit to Barcelona that includes a panoramic view of the city and a visit to Sagrada Familia, an unfinished modernist basilica designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. At the end, a typical tapas tasting will be offered to participants before returning to Lleida.

This tour involves an extra fee of $30 payable at registration.

Distance from Lleida: 150 km

1230 h: Bus departs to Barcelona
2030 h: Arrive back at Lleida

Gala Dinner

Thursday, July 11

The conference Gala Dinner will be served in the monumental complex of the Old Cathedral, on top of the Seu Vella mound. The site oversees the plains and the Pyrenees Mountains in the north. At nightfall, the mound is one of the coolest places in Lleida as it gets the breeze from the river. The sit-down, three-course dinner will be accompanied by light entertainment.