Casa d’Areny-Plandolit Marks 40 Years as Public Museum with Modernisme Festival

Casa d’Areny-Plandolit celebrated 40 years as a public museum on Saturday with a Modernisme-themed festival that launched the tenth edition of the 'Canya als museus' programme.

Organised by the Museums and Monuments Department, the event drew large crowds across three sessions despite rain shifting outdoor elements indoors. Free admission filled the morning guided tour, which focused on lesser-known Modernisme items in the house's collection, prompting many to return for the afternoon festivities—dubbed a "Modernisme rave" by some—with attendees outnumbering period-costumed performers.

Rut Casabella, head of the department, called the event a relaxed celebration of four decades of public access via tours, audioguides, and workshops. "We are organising this Modernisme festival to mark these 40 years in a relaxed, informal manner," she said. She highlighted the house's singular preservation of Modernisme aesthetics and efforts to make state museums more participatory and less elitist.

Activities featured 19th-century recreations with music, theatre, and costumed characters, alongside tastings of Pyrenean-inspired dishes including lentil escudella, tomato cod, minced meat omelette, lemon panellets, and almond rice pudding without cinnamon. Modern drinks provided a contemporary touch, and the non-traditional recipes proved a hit.

The taxidermied flamingo Mariano, from Dr Pau-Xavier d’Areny Plandolit’s collection—the baron’s 17th child and the house’s namesake—emerged as the unexpected star. Long overlooked in the noble hall after most zoological items relocated, it delighted visitors rediscovered during renovations.

These capped a €135,000 investment over 18 months, featuring deep conservation cleaning, improved security and lighting, new signage, refreshed first- and second-floor displays, room repainting, and restoration of Modernisme pieces like a sofa and chairs. The work also uncovered hidden items such as a secret cupboard, giraffe bones, and a chess table. Earlier additions like 2022 holograms and a children’s area helped the site approach 20,000 visitors in 2025, with official presentation on 12 March.

Launched during pandemic de-escalation to reimagine cultural offerings for locals, 'Canya als museus' now runs two annual cycles through June, including talks, concerts, children’s workshops, and themed visits. It has lifted attendance at government sites, with events often oversubscribed and repeat visitors fostering loyalty beyond school groups.

The festival blended over 300 years of history with Modernisme energy, attracting family descendants and locals. The series continues with events like the fifth Romanesque Art Days at other venues.