As well as our own activities, the IEV collaborates with other entities and institutions to organise and develop various activities. For example, we have coordinated the taking part in projects shared with organisations such as the Coordinadora de Centres d'Estudis de Parla Catalana, CSIC, and Rovira i Virgili University, among others. The IEV is also one of the organisers of Prize Night in Valls, and actively participates in projects and initiatives in the town and region (Valls Public Library, Commission on Valls Entities, Encuentro de Vallenses Ausentes, ANESPRO foundation, etc.).

Demonstration to preserve the Public Library building (1998).

This group works with the research, restoration, conservation, inventory and diffusion of the archaeological heritage of the Alt Camp. It organises cultural trips in Catalonia, it promotes the assistance and/ or participation in different congresses as well as the publication of research articles about the material studied, especially those referring to the sites in Fontscaldes and Vilar. They also organise conferences about the archaeological research in the region. At the moment it works as a mixed commission between the IEV and the Museum of Valls.

Restaured items in the IEV¹s archaeological workshop

Along with the reorganisation of the Museum of Valls, this work group was converted into a mixed Museum ­ IEV commission to manage the Sant Roc Room. This non ­ profit making room is one of the most sought after in Valls, due to its excellent location. Because of this, the IEV has an interesting collection of art, which has been recently catalogued. Sant Roc Chapel is also managed by a mixed commission of institutions, one of which is the IEV.

Sant Roc Room

This work group responds to the interests related to the world of audiovisual communication. In 1982, the Valls Cinema Club joined this commission. At the moment it is in charge of holding exhibitions conceived by the IEV and to promote aspects related to cinema, photography, television, theatre, new technologies etc. It organises the State "Ciutat de Valls" Photography Competition, which is supported by Valls Council.

Four film directors from Valls

This IEV library is located on the second floor of the Old Sant Roc Hospital. It was founded in 1982 and has one of the best collections specialising in local and regional themes in Catalonia. There are more than 12,000 volumes and more than 100 magazine mastheads. It also has jewels such as microfilms of the local and regional press from 1868 until 1986, a Robert Gerhard musical list, a Pere Mialet theatrical list, a Valls Cinema Club bibliographic list, as well as others. This entity basically feeds on the numerous exchanges with other centres, organisations and other institutions in Catalonia and Spain, as well as on private donations.

Inside the Library

The publication of studies related to Valls and its region (the Alt Camp) has been one of the most important concerns since the beginnings of the IEV. Since the publication of its first volume in 1962, publications have increased with the creation of six steady lines of publication: a collection of local themes, a collection of regional themes, a didactic collection, a collection designed to show cultural routes, a collection to show certain aspects of Valls, and a six-monthly specialised magazine. The Language and Literature group also works with a six-monthly magazine which is dedicated to the creation and correct use of the Catalan language.

Cover of "Valls. Una memòria fotogràfica (1845-2000)"

This is one of the most active groups in the entity. Apart from the research focussing on local and regional aspects, this group also organises courses, seminars and conferences which are designed to spread the historic and biographic truth of outstanding people and happenings in the region, as well as goings-on in national or international geographic, political, historical or cultural news. Another of its functions is to provide information for all the questions brought up by private requests or public institutions referring to local and regional history. At the moment it is working on the History of Valls, one of the IEV's most ambitious projects.

Archive

Its most important function is to support the publications of the entity, through correction and linguistic help, as well as the editing of a six-monthly magazine which is dedicated to the creation and correct use of the Catalan language. The commission also answers any questions brought up by institutions on this aspect and is always checking that the linguistic rules are being applied. Another of its concerns is the presentation of literary works and figures of the Alt Camp and the organisation of workshops, courses and conferences about different literary aspects.

Colloquium about Narcís Oller (1996).

This work group was one of the most active within the IEV during the 80s. Their principal concern was the nature preservation of the Alt Camp. One of its main jobs is the carrying out of studies and reports which may or may not be commissioned by institutions, about aspects concerning nature and the atmosphere. It also organises trips, seminars and specialised conferences which help create a favourable attitude towards the defence and conservation of our natural surroundings. It too organises the Nature Prize, a catalyst for research and work developed from schools.

Nature Room

This started up in 1997, thanks to the roof lifted on the Sant Roc Patio in the Old Hospital, as it has meant that we have a new space available for holding more cultural events. La Parra is an idea aimed at the younger generation. Every Wednesday evening in summer, activities including music, poetry, theatre, literature, comics, book presentations etc. are held. The success of this idea has meant that La Parra has become a stage for local artists, as it offers an intimate space for them to present their work to their audience.

LA PARRA¹s performance

This group is especially interested in the conservation of the Cultural Heritage of the town of Valls and the Alt Camp. They assess and/ or promote urgent moves for its preservation and denounce those acts which do not follow the rules established by the different administrations. Studies are carried out about the outstanding architects from our region and they also try to respond to any enquiries brought up by institutions through reports. They take part in the cataloguing and control of Valls and its region's heritage. Every year a competition is organised (Premio a la Salvaguarda del Patrimonio del Alt Camp) to recognise the restoration or rehabilitation of buildings of interest in the region, as well as the efforts made to preserve and promote documental and historical heritage.

11th Prize to Safeguard the Heritage: awarded building

This is an active section within the IEV which is dedicated to promoting the university world to the residents and companies of both these regions. As a result of this compromise, the Consortium works to promote university ­ company ­ civil society relations, it is a Help Point for the Open University in the Alt Camp, and it organises conferences, symposiums and seminars specialising in socio-economic current affairs, technological themes, as well as the Espai del Estudiant, an annual fair which includes all the courses available at both university and further education level.

Student¹s Fair. Valls, March 28-30, 2001