This year Barcelona Tattoo Expo was held for the twenty-second year, making it one of the longest and most successful European tattoo conventions. HeartbeatInk Tattoo Magazine has partnered with the famed festival for the fourth consecutive year and brings you its pulse.
Barcelona Tattoo Expo was once again hosted at Fira's exquisite and gigantic venue, in Plaça d'Espanya in Barcelona, on Friday the 5th, Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of October. More than 18.000 tattoo enthusiasts visited the convention and got more than 1.000 tattoos done by the 600 tattoo artists - Spanish and international - that attended the expo.
At the same time, BAUM FEST (Barcelona Art & Urban Movement) was happening, a festival dedicated to street art and urban culture: custom motorcycles and cars, graffiti, break dance and all style battles, street sports (BMX, rollerblading, skateboarding, callisthenics), concerts and different shows dedicated to the Japanese and Viking culture. Of course there was the "Best of the Day" contest for the best tattoo of every day, as well as the "Best of Show" on Sunday night. Among all these activities and shows, the festival's charity action, "Tattooists for Peace", was also present. 2.000 euros were raised for the NGO "Por una sonrisa lo doy todo", which will strengthen humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees in Tripoli, Lebanon.
Sunday was very emotional, thanks to the wonderful surprise the organisers made for Mao, in collaboration with many of his friends who were there live or via skype. Mao is a legendary persona of the international tattoo scene, with a longstanding contribution to the tattoo community, as well as numerous years of co-hosting the Barcelona Tattoo Expo.
We would like to thank the organisers Mik and Laura for the excellent collaboration, love, respect, and warm hospitality.
Photos: P. Zed & Ino Mei.
Text: Ino Mei.
