Meeting with Commissioner Micallef in the Barcelona Pavilion
We were thrilled to welcome EU Commissioner for Culture, Glenn Micallef, to the Barcelona Pavilion. In the heart of Mondiacult, we had an inspiring conversation about the EUmies Awards, the future of creative talent, and the importance of international collaboration in culture. Commissioner Micallef also received our publication Young Talent 2025, celebrating the bright minds shaping tomorrow’s cultural landscape.
We also had a rich conversation about architecture, its challenges, and its role in society. The discussion brought together winners and finalists of the EUmies Awards, alongside local architecture leaders and institutional representatives:
Il·lma. Sra. Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona & President, Fundació Mies van der Rohe
Maria Buhigas, Chief Architect, Barcelona City Council
Anna Ramos, Director, Fundació Mies van der Rohe & Barcelona City Council
Ivan Blasi, Director EUmies Awards @eumiesawards
Guim Costa, Dean, Architects’ Association of Catalonia (COAC)
Félix Solaguren, Director, Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB-UPC)
Pere Fuertes, Director, Vallès School of Architecture (ETSAV-UPC)
Iñigo Ugalde, Director, UIC Barcelona School of Architecture
Laia Gelonch, Group of Young Architects of Catalonia (AJAC)
Albert Nogueras, President, Group of Young Architects of Catalonia (AJAC)
Stephanie Bonnici, Cabinet Policy Assistant; Manuel Szapiro, Director, European Commission Representation in Barcelona; and Monica Urian, EC Policy Officer, Directorate General for Education and Culture.
EUmies Winners & Finalists: José Antonio Martínez Lapeña, Finalist 2005; Esteve Bonell, Winner 1992; Francesc Rius, Winner 1992, Eduard Llargués, Winner 2020; Álvaro Alcázar del Águila, Winner 2020; Guillermo de Alfonso Sánchez, Finalist 2025; Jonathan Arnabat, Winner 2015; Jordi Ayala-Bril, Winner 2015
The meeting highlighted the importance of creativity, international collaboration, and the social impact of architecture.
We are excited to continue this dialogue and look forward to celebrating the EUmies Awards winners in May 2026, showcasing talent that shapes communities and connects cultures across Europe.
