12/06/202612 de June de 2026 Welcoming Shaanxi Science and Technology Press to the Combel Offices Combel signs Simplified Chinese rights agreements with Shaanxi STP during an official publishing visit to Barcelona On June 10th, we had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from Shaanxi Science and Technology Press to the Combel offices as part of their official visit to Spain, organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Government. The morning began with presentations by CEOs Bin Cui and Ramon Casals, who introduced the history, mission, and vision of their respective publishing houses. Concluding his remarks, Ramón Casals reflected: “The fact that you are here today means that we are doing things right.” It was a simple yet meaningful reminder of the trust that underpins international publishing relationships. This was followed by the signing ceremony of the Simplified Chinese rights for three titles. The first was The Leap of the Frog, the latest addition to our EcoSphere series on sustainability by Teresa Franquesa, illustrated by Paul Gasol. Using the “boiled frog” syndrome as an analogy, this nonfiction title helps young readers understand climate change and discover practical ways to take action. The agreement also included Open Investigation and Ongoing Investigation, two activity books by Àngels Navarro with Jordi Sunyer illustrations, that invite readers to solve cases by following clues while developing their observation and critical-thinking skills. The session continued with a presentation of the latest Combel and Bambú catalogues, followed by an informal exchange about our publishing programmes and editorial processes. The timing of the visit made it especially memorable. June 10th was also the day of the Pope’s visit to the Sagrada Família, and Barcelona was immersed in preparations and celebrations surrounding this historic event. Inspired by this unique context, we were especially pleased to share Gaudí Pop-Up by Patricia Geis, a spectacular book that brings the architect’s masterpieces to life through impressive paper engineering. Our guests also enjoyed a short tour of the publishing house, meeting the Combel and Bambú editorial teams in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. From the Combel offices, the newly blessed cross crowning the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família can be seen in the distance—a memorable backdrop to a morning filled with books, conversations, laughter, and cultural exchange. Moments like this remind us that publishing is not only about rights agreements and catalogues, but also about building relationships across cultures. P.S. A special thank you goes to our interpreter, Xu, whose patience, generosity, and constant willingness to help made it possible to bridge Catalan and Mandarin throughout the entire visit a small but meaningful exercise in cooperation, where every gesture counts.
