Diada Nacional de Catalunya - National Day of Catalonia

September 11th is a big deal in Barcelona and it has absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

This day sits deep in the hearts of Catalans and dates back to 1714 when Catalan forces fell in the Siege of Barcelona during the final stage of the Spanish Succession War. Having to surrender to troops that fought on behalf of the royal Bourbon monarchy Barcelona, and all of Catalonia lost their institution and territorial rights that were governed by the now defunct Crown of Aragon.

This all started when the region chose to support the Archduke Charles of Austria of Habsburg fame as the rightful owner to throne of Spain. The Spanish Borbónes didn’t happen to agree and by force took to ruling over Spain with Philip V becoming the first Bourbon king of the country.

Today, Diada Nacional de Cataluyna also known as Diada de l’Onze de Setembre, in Catalonia is a day of recognition commemorating a valiant day in the history of the region. Citizens take to the streets draping the Catalan flag (called senyeres or estelades) on their backs singing the Catalan anthem, Els Segadors, which was declared the official national anthem of the region by the Catalan Parliament in 1993. It wasn’t till 1980 after the local parliament was reinstated that it declared September 11th and official non-secular holiday in Catalonia. This came after 94 years when the first recognized commemoration took place.

The day’s activities are a mixture of politics and pride. Traditionally the heads of various political parties as well as local residents gather at the monument of Rafael Casanova making a symbolic offering of floral bouquets and Catalan flags in honor of his role in the Siege of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Casanova was in fact a Catalan lawyer and Colonel of a self-defense armed force of Barcelona. Although his failed leadership of the Spanish-Catalan charge to defend the city from the Spanish army within the royal house of Bourbon, which was ruled by Philip V of Spain at the time, Casanova has come to be considered as one of the greatest Catalonian patriots. Pass by the monument located at the corner of Ronda de Santa Pere and Calle Ali Bei to take a snap-shot as you head to the Parque de la Ciutadella that has been the location of the official celebration of La Diada since 2003.

All day long local bands perform for thousands of residents in the park. Artist and street vendors have also taken the opportunity to promote their businesses turning the promenade the leads from La Ciudadella up to the Arc de Triomphe into an outdoor art and food fair.

On Passeig Lluis Companys just north of the park there is always an organized sit- down dinner meant for the whole family that include special guest speakers and other musical performances.

Nearby the Parque de Ciudadella in the Born neighborhood you can also take a moment to pay your respects to 4000O Catalans that lost their lives in the Siege at the Foso de les Moreras monument. The metal, arc structure that is adorned with an eternal burning flame is popular gathering site for Catalan organizations and independent political groups on this day as well.

Lastly, during the 24-hour celebration you might also run into the random protest march by staunch supporters of Catalan independence. It’s wise to step aside or find an alternative route to your next destination than try to decipher their chants of territorial, political and economic independence from greater Spain.

In the past, marches that have taken place on La Diada have been of great cultural significance. The first being a large political gathering of Catalan independistas at the Casanova monument in 1901 that resulted in a scuffle with police and 30 people arrested. After the death of Franco in 1977, a march with over a million participants took place to fight for the reinstatement of the Catalan government.

Thankfully the political marches are only part of the events surrounding the day and don’t necessarily take place every Diada Nacional de Cataluna. In fact, in the days leading up to the official holiday there are presentations, readings and exhibitions.

In my experience the day was just another day off from work. I’ve never gotten too wrapped up into the spirit of things and its possible because my community of Catalan friends is just about zilch. La Diada Nacional de Cataluyna, in my opinion doesn’t cross over well for non-Catalans this includes Spaniards from other regions too. Nevertheless, the weather is still beautiful around this time of the year and a free outdoor concert and street fair always guarantees a good day.

For more information on Diada de l’Onze de Setembre visit the Ominum organization website at www.11setembre.ominum.cat. Needless to say the webpage is only in Catalan.