Barcelona is cracking down on its “living statues”, the painted street performers who are ubiquitous on Las Ramblas, the famous thoroughfare in the middle of the city. This avenue, popular with tourists and locals, attracts on average 200,000 visitors a day. The sheer number of stationary street artists, who cause passers-by to stop and watch, is causing pedestrian “traffic jams”.

As of January 2011, all performers wishing to work on the Ramblas must submit a CV to the local city council, and 30 will be selected for either a morning or afternoon shift at one of 15 pre-designated spots.

Xavi Masip, spokesman for the Asociación de Amigos, Vecinos y Tenderos de Las Ramblas, said: “Often a crowd gathers around a human statue in the narrowest parts and you can’t pass by, so everything comes to a standstill.”

As one might expect the Spanish Association of Living Statues has remained silent on the matter! 

Tags: Barcelona, living statues, street performers, street artists, Las Ramblas, Asociación de Amigos Vecinos y Tenderos de Las Ramblas, www.a1-solutions-spain.com