February 2007

ANNIVERSARIES. INSTITUT
D’ESTUDIS CATALANS

On the hundredth anniversary of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans ( Institute of Catalonian Studies) a commemorative stamp is issued recalling this remarkable academic institution.

The Institut d’Estudis Catalans was founded in 1907 by Enric Prat de la Riba, a Catalonian politician and president of the Diputación de Barcelona at the time. Amongst the aims of this institution are the codification and the regulation of the Catalonian language as well as the counselling of the Generalitat (Government of Catalonia) on municipal, local and institutional coats of arms and flags and the protection of monuments and landscapes of historic value. They also make frequent reports on investigation and research in Catalonia and promote joint ventures with other institutions.

Throughout hundred years of history, the IEC has produced over a thousand publications, amongst which stands out the Diccionari de la llengua catalana (1995) with the following departments: Historic-Archaeological; Philology; Biology; Science and Technology; Philosophy and Social Sciences all working in coordination. From 1922 it’s a member of the International Academic Union and collaborates in international projects motivated by this institution.

The IEC has its headquarters in Barcelona, in the Casa de Convalescencia, an emblematic building of the XVII century which hosts many pieces of visual art from the XVII and XVIII century as well as sculptures, wall paintings, pottery and ceramic veneering. The building is of classic style with sober façades and scarce decorative elements, the inside is built around a cloister where there’s an image of Saint Peter.

The stamp depicts the logo of the Institut d’Estudis Catalans and the building’s cloister.