When did the Catalonia National Day in Spain start?
About Catalonia National Day in Spain Holiday
Catalonia National Day is one of Spain's most important cultural and political celebrations. It is held annually on September 11 to commemorate the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession. The holiday honors the national culture and language of Catalonia, a region of northeastern Spain. For Catalonians, the holiday is a time to celebrate the spirit of their people, while also recognizing the uniqueness of Catalan culture and autonomy.
The day is traditionally marked with elaborate processions and parades, cultural performances, and community events. Many gather in the streets of Barcelona to parade and raise Catalan flags in pride and solidarity. In the city of Barcelona, the Plaça dels Països Catalans is filled with street vendors selling traditional Catalan food and drink, as well as crafts and apparel. After the parade, citizens join hands and form a human chain—a tradition known as La Diada National—to show their support for Catalan unity.
The celebration is not only rooted in Catalan heritage, but also in the nation’s history. On September 11, 1714, Barcelona fell to the Bourbon army, marking a historic defeat for Catalonia. Although the event was a tragic moment in the country’s past, today’s National Day celebration demonstrates how far Catalonia has come and how strong the spirit of Catalan identity remains.
Catalonia National Day, Spain, September 11 – Introduction
The Catalonia National Day, or “Diada” as its known in the Catalan language, is a national celebration of Catalonia’s history, culture and identity. It has become a rallying point for separatists as well as those who wish to remain within the Spanish state, and is observed on September 11 every year.
History and Origin
The Catalonia National Day has grown in scope and complexity in recent years, as a result of Catalonia’s ongoing struggle for self-determination. It began life as a religious holiday in 1886, when towns and villages throughout Catalonia had popular gatherings, or “Processons”, in honour of the Virgin of Montserrat, the patroness of Catalonia and the Virgin’s protector, St. George, otherwise known as “the dragon slayer”.
In 1980, nationalists declared September 11 a memorial day, to commemorate the fall of Barcelona on September 11, 1714. Barcelona capitulated to Spanish forces that day, ending the War of the Spanish Succession, a conflict that had pitted the Bourbon forces of the King of Spain against those of the Duke of Anjou, the heir to the French throne.
As such, September 11 marks the symbolic defeat of Catalonia’s nation-state by Spain, and the commemoration of the day turned into a protest against Spanish rule.
Significance and Meaning
The Catalonia National Day has become a symbol of Catalan nationalism and its struggles against the Spanish state. It has developed a political dimension, as nationalists are often vocal on the streets during the day, shaking their region’s flag and chanting “freedom for Catalonia”.
Catalysts of Catalan’s desire for independence, such as the Catalan president, Carles Puigdemont, have often used the day to rally separatist sentiment among Catalans. It has also been used as a platform to call for greater autonomy from Madrid, including the right to develop a Catalan language law, or “llei d’ús”.
At the same time, those who wish to remain within the Spanish state often celebrate the Catalonia National Day as a chance to remember their Catalan traditions and heritage. Symbols like Castellers, a kind of human tower constructed to impress onlookers, are widely adopted as a form of physical expression of Catalan national identity.
Traditions and Celebrations
The Catalonia National Day is usually commemorated with street processions, protest marches and cultural events featuring music, dancing, exhibitions and processions. In recent years, the day has evolved to include civic observances, such as the “Diada” in 2015 which saw a human chain winding its way through the streets of Barcelona in support for Catalonia’s independence.
In the evening, a hot air balloon is lit up in the sky, usually accompanied by a fireworks display. On occasion, a minute of silence is observed in some towns, to remember those who have died in the struggle for Catalan independence.
Geographical Spread
The Catalonia National Day is marked throughout Catalonia. It is celebrated with particular enthusiasm in Barcelona, where activists of all stripes can be seen marching with banners and flags of their respective cause.
The day is also marked in other parts of Spain, although usually with lower-key festivities. Many Spaniards, both within and outside of Catalonia, use the day to celebrate the diversity of Spain and the many languages spoken in the country.
Modern Day Observations
The observance of the Catalonia National Day has been growing in recent years, especially since the Catalan independence referendum of 2017. Separatists have used the day to draw attention to their cause and to demand increased rights from Madrid.
At the same time, the Diada has also become an opportunity for citizens of Catalonia to celebrate their traditions, culture and identity, regardless of their political views. There are often concerts, parades, and games to celebrate the beauty of the Catalan culture.
Interesting Facts or Trivia
The phrase “Diada” is an old Catalan word derived from the Latin idus, meaning “day”. It has been commonly used to refer to jubilation or celebration of any sort since medieval times, and is associated both in Catalonia and beyond with the celebration of Catalonia’s distinctive culture.
In 2017, the town of Mataró in the Barcelona metropolitan area put on the first ever human castell, a traditional Catalan acrobatic tower, in honour of the Catalonia National Day. The castell was successfully built and stood for 15 minutes, to the delight of the crowd.
Conclusion
The Catalonia National Day is an important political occasion in Catalonia that has also become a beloved celebration of Catalan culture, history and identity. Separatists and non-separatists alike use this day to celebrate the beauty of the region and the distinct culture of the Catalan people. There are many traditional activities, such as the human chain, and even more creative, daring and humorous modern-day events such as human castells, that capture the spirit of the day.
How to Say "Catalonia National Day in Spain" In Different Languages?
- Bulgarian
- Национален ден на Каталония (bg-BG)
- Chinese
- 加泰罗尼亚国家日 (zh-CN)
- Czech
- Národní Den Katalánska (cs-CZ)
- French
- Journée Nationale de la Catalogne (fr-FR)
- German
- Katalonien Nationalfeiertag (de-DE)
- Greek
- Εθνική Ημέρα της Καταλονίας (el-GR)
- Italian
- Giorno Nazionale della Catalogna (it-IT)
- Japanese
- カタルーニャの国民の日 (ja-JP)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-ES)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-AR)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-CO)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-MX)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-PE)
- Spanish
- Día Nacional de Cataluña (es-VE)
Catalonia National Day in Spain Also Called
La Diada Nacional de Catalunya.
FUN FACT:
In year 1283, Catalonia National Day in Spain is celebrated on September 11 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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