Yesterday was a very important and special day. I know that to most people, the 11th of September means the Twin Towers and the terrorist attack in New York back in 2001. This was a very tragic day, as nearly 4,000 people died in the attack, and it changed many other lives. We can all remember where we were and what we were doing at the time. It will be very hard to forget.
A young Catlan.
But for 6 million people in Europe, it means something completely different. Sepmtember 11 is the National Day of Catalonia (La Diada Nacional de Catalunya), and the past few years have been more important that ever before. On this day in 1714, the Spanish forces, along with French troops, besieged Barcelona and eventually captured it. From this day onwards, Catalonia was considered part of Spain, even though the Catalan culture, history and language goes back to the 10th century.
A boy and his flag.
Even dogs got into the spirit!
Last year, and the year before, there were mass demonstrations in Barcelona on this day. The Catalans have been vying for independence for some time now, but with La Crisi (The Economic Crisis) it is even more important. I won't go into it all, but basically the Spanish are trying to stop the Catalans from speaking AND learning Catalan in their own schools, as well as syphoning loads of cash from the country, via taxes and road tolls, to pay for the rest of Spain. Now Catalonia is a small country of 6 million people, but it is a prosperous one - I do believe State Governments should help Federal Governments, but it has to be done fairly.
The face of Independence!
Lets not get all political now, as we know that is one topic that will cause arguments. The real reason I am writing this is describe the feelings and emotions that were flying around the country yesterday. It was huge - roughly 1.6 million people were involved, and the main event was the 'Cadena Humana,' or Human Chain. From top to bottom, all along the coast, 400kms long, people were holding hands and singing their National Anthem. The spirit shown was incredible. There was no aggression, no anger, fights, riot police - it was completely peaceful, and incredibly well organised!
So many young people were involved, which is great to see.
Barcelona was the centre of the Human Chain, and everyone congregated in the streets to see it. So many people had their faces painted, flags were absolutely everywhere - tied on as capes, on poles for waving, on children's prams, and hanging off balconies too. Even dogs were dressed up for the day.
Older people also came out in force - people old enough to remember Franco and the oppressive years.
The feeling and atmosphere was great. Friendly and peaceful. What the Catalans want is to be able to speak their own language, put money back into the local infrastructure, and to be an independent country in Europe and the EU. I must give it to them - they have not been violent in any way, and have waiting many, many years for this. They will continue to wait patiently, always showing their 'colours,' and speaking up about their issues without violence. Some other countries around the world could learn a thing or two there - this is the way to get independence, not from the barrel of a gun.
The 'Cadena' running its 400kms all down the coast.
I might just add that not only were the Catalans out for this day - I saw Scottish flags, also the flag of Corsica and Sardinia and some others that I didn't recognise. I think the Catalan movement has become a real movement worldwide - especially here in Europe - for peaceful independence. Although I am for Catalan independence - I also believe in a more unified state where people have their culture and language, but work for something bigger than Nationalism. The European Union, for all its faults, should be something like what we should aim for, and to be honest, I think that's what the Catalans do want - freedom from Spain, and freedom to work with everyone.
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