Francesc de Carreras at the Barcelona Autonomous University, an anti-secessionist, says a vote would allow a proper debate and add democratic weight to decision-making.

ECONOMIST: A row about money and sovereignty

The confirmation of the Afghan conference came on Francesc Vendrell's fourth day of talks in the Afghan capital with key figures in the Northern Alliance and other tribal and faction leaders.

BBC: UN announces Afghan conference

So for example there was a surrealist philosopher called Francesc Pujols, who was a personal friend of Antonio Gaudi and a personal friend of Salvador Dali, and had a major influence on both those people as they did on him.

BBC: Sense of the City: Barcelona