21 August, 2010

Chinese artificially create the Spanish village of Cadaques

Made famous by Salavdor Dali and his description of a “perfect and dreamy town”, the small fishing village of Cadaques, in the north-east corner of Spain, is being recreated 6,500 miles to the east, by Chinese developers in Xiamen Bay, China.

The original Spanish village of Cadaques

For decades Cadaques, with its translucent bay, gentle sea breezes, astonishing light and home and inspiration of the great Spanish artist Salvador Dali, has been a popular destination for artists and tourists alike.

Now the world-renowned ‘made in China’ label is to take on a lateral meaning. As the Chinese’s uncanny ability to recognize a good money-spinner is resulting in the old, Spanish fishing village, which is nestled just below the French border on the Costa Brava, being artificially rebuilt in China. The 100 acres of land in Xiamen Bay, which is similar geographically to Cadaques, will have the capacity to house some 15,000 Chinese holidaymakers looking for a slice of Salvador and the Costa Brava on their doorstep.

Although a boast in the tourism industry is expected to be reciprocated as it is hoped that having experienced a taste of Costa Brava magic in China, it will lure holidaymakers to the real thing. Joan Borrell, mayor of Cadaques, is excited about the project.

“As with a work of art, seeing the copy often makes you want to see the original. That would be wonderful for Cadaques and the whole of the Costa Brava,” said Senor Borrell.

This is not the first time the small Catalonian town has been attempted to be replicated. An attempt to reconstruct the ‘artist’s paradise’ was made in the Dominican Republic, although never really materialized.

For some, because of resorts like Lloret de Mar, the Costa Brava has become synonymous with fry-ups, concrete and lager louts. When in reality this beautiful stretch of rolling coastline, rocky coves, up-market fishing villages and stimulation for artists such as Dali and Picasso, is an inspirational place to visit. In the case of Cadaques, being the embodiment of such aesthetical paradise, it is little surprise China wants to recreate this captivating town.

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