VALENTÍ CASTANYS (1898-1965)

The cartoonist and journalist Catalan Valentí Castanys picked up the side humorous of the sports media in Catalan, asimilándola and endowing it with an own style and a symbolism and a language characteristic. He participated in the first Saló dels Humoristes, held in 1916, where it won the award instituted by Cambó. Also, he was the soul of the magazines “Xut” (1922-1936) and “The Eleven” (1945-1965 numerous), directing this last since 1954. He also created the ephemeral “El Senyor Canons” (1925 and 1930). He collaborated with important publications of the time such as L'esquella de la Torratxa”, “Papitu”, “El Be Negre” (of which he was artistic director in the thirties), “La Veu de Catalunya”, “Target” and other. It is also the creator of the emblematic figures of the time as “the vell del Barça”, the family Sistacs or the Country of the Sidral, universe allegorical of the sporting life. His caricatures of sportsmen, especially footballers, have not yet been overcome to this day. It also premiered works of theatre, such as “Has guanyat el Barça” (1949), or “La memòria is diverteix” (1964).