In Berga, Casal Panxo will leave its premises on Carrer Marcel·lí Massana on 15 June, ending 17 years at the site. The cultural centre announced the move on social media and called on residents to mark what it described as the last Patum celebration at the premises this week.
The project began in 1999 and moved into the ground floor space in 2009, after starting at Carrer Mossèn Huch 19. The group said the building was initially in a very poor state and lacked basic facilities, but collective work and investment turned it into a cultural centre that became part of Berga's Old Quarter.
From there, Casal Panxo took part in events such as the Rebrot festival and the Gatherings of Casals and Ateneus of the Catalan Countries. It also hosted local activities including the Ratafia Festival and Christmas carols, and provided logistical and solidarity support for groups such as the Castellers de Berga, Cal Blanxart, the Mutual Support Network and the Escoltes de Berga.
The group said it had paid rent despite what it described as strong contractual instability and the building's gradual deterioration. It proposed buying the property based on a professional architectural valuation, but said the owner ended the rental contract, which had first been due to finish on 31 January. Negotiations later extended the departure date to 15 June.
Casal Panxo said it had tried all possible ways to keep the space, but the owner rejected any agreement. The group now says activity will continue outdoors in the Old Quarter, or in the venues of friendly organisations when the weather allows, while it looks for a new licensed premises or a building it could buy in the Old Quarter.
The farewell programme includes the Casal Panxo Porronada on Friday from 17:30. The group is inviting people from Berga, Berguedà and across the Catalan Countries to visit Carrer Marcel·lí Massana during Patum. Last year, 600 porrons of mau-mau were sold, and the group says it hopes to exceed that figure this year. More local news
