Marcat La Libertat. My favourite market, La Libertat, is currently closed for renovation, and I have a distinct but as yet unfounded feeling of dread that they will destroy it. It could use some rennovation, that much is true: the floors are cracked, half the stalls were empty, and the cobwebs built up overhead block out light.

But do they need to tear out all the old zinc countertops, butcher blocks, funky signs and antique tiles as they plan to do? Will they replace everything with cheap photoshop graphic design and artificial wood as they have in other rennovated markets?

The market was named because the neighborhood where it sits is known historically as a republican stronghold, a center of protest and a seat of pro catatan pride. Structurally, it is a subtle example of modernismo and another example of the vigorous market culture in the city. Hopefully something of its history remains after it reopens in summer 2007.

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