Once more, the National Day of Catalonia (La Diada) is celebrated in Barcelona. This is a date that is always enthusiastically enjoyed, with of course an undoubtable political undertone, but also a symbology which goes beyond borders.
The city of Barcelona celebrates every year the National Day of Catalonia, offering a varied programme of activities, some of which are commemorative and some other, historical but all are part of this lively Catalan holiday. The celebration this year started on September 8th and will last until Sunday, September 13th, date on which Mercè Festival commences.
The commemoration of Barcelona’s fall against Bourbon troops during the War of the Spanish Succession opens old wounds, but is also a fundamental part of Catalan history. On September 11th, 1714, after 14 months of siege in the city, a phase of the history of Barcelona ended and a new era began.
That old phase of Barcelona is represented by symbols, such as Cant els Segadors (the Catalan anthem) or Senyera (the Catalan flag), both of which mirroring the local identity.
Those feelings have been reflected in works by artists and intellectuals for centuries, such as in the abstract art of Antoni Tàpies.
Floral gifts and institutional ceremonies
During celebrations on Friday, September 11th, one of the most emotional moments comes with the floral gifts. Once again, various social, cultural and political entities will gather for the traditional floral offerings at important monuments in the city.
The most frequented monuments are those to Rafael Casanova and to General Josep Moragues, as well as the resting place of Francesc Maciá in the Cementiri de Montjuic (Montjuic Cemetery). Gifts are also given at the Fossar de les Moreres, located in El Born-La Ribera. This is where many of the fallen were buried during the siege of Barcelona in 1714.
The most important institutional act took place two days before the actual date, on Wednesday, September 9th, in Plaça Sant Jaume. During this cultural event, two celebrations take place at the same time.
However, the most attended ceremony is more of a protest. Many locals hang the Catalan flag from their balconies and groups of citizens from all around Catalonia gather to protest. They usually campaign about the controversial Madrid-Barcelona relationship, which becomes increasingly complicated despite the cosmopolitan nature of both cities.
Music and tradition
During the National Day of Catalonia, several music performances will delight all participants to the huge celebration.
September 8th
On Tuesday at 6 pm, the townhouse of Barcelona’s City Hall organized a conference of the history of the National Day of Catalonia, an event under the charge of historian Eva Serra.
A bit later, at 8 and 10 pm, Born Centre Cultural host a show-concert on the Catalan songs, under the name of ‘Seguem arran! Quinze himnes i una cançó erótica‘ (Let’s continue with fifteen anthems and an erotic song), in which people will be able to listen to fifteen well-known popular songs originated from an arotic melody during the 18th century.
September 9th
On Wednesday at 10 pm, there was the institutional ceremony of the National Day, a double celebration that took place in Plaça Sant Jaume (Barrio Górico).
En su primera parte, un espectáculo dirigido por Josep Maria Mestres celebrará el Centenario de las bibliotecas de Cataluña, como testigo de su historia más reciente.
A continuación, se rendirá Homenaje a Ramon Muntaner en el 750 aniversario de su nacimiento. Este acto llevará todas la miradas hacia la fachada del Palau de la Generalitat, donde se proyectará un espectáculo audiovisual con guión de Albert Sánchez Piñol.
Whether in protest or in celebration, Barcelona and Catalonia have a fundamental character-forming legacy which you have to experience to truly understand it. It is part of its very make-up.
