Discover Catalonia’s National Day
There is a day in the history of Catalonia that remains the greatest holiday of the year. It is September 11th, the most important day for the catalan people that holds so many memories and feelings that we will try to explain to you today.
The first thing you should know is that September 11th is the major holiday in Catalonia, it is the National Day and it commemorates something curious: the defeat of Catalunya during the War of the Spanish Succession.
History of September 11th
The Catalan Army fought for Habsburg dynasty rights to the Spanish throne but were defeated by the army of Philip V, then king of Spain. The exact day of the defeat was on September 11th 1714.
The first day that the holday was celebrated as such was on 1886. Franco’s dictatorship suppressed it in 1939 and it was not until 5 years of his passing, in 1980, when the celebrations came back.
Since then, every year Catalonia takes the streets (it’s not a working day, never) and they show their support to the country. They show their support in many ways:
– With big marches all around the country: Barcelona being the greatest of all.
– Hanging Catalonia’s flag on your window or balcony.
– Singing “Els Segadors”, Catalunya’s National Anthem.
How do Barcelona celebrates September 11th
If you happen to be in Barcelona around September 11th, you will be amazed with how passionate, fun, enjoying and dedicated the catalan people are, they also show their welcoming side, so you will be dragged into the celebrations in no time.
Over the last decade, specially the last 5 years, September 11th has become not just a National Day, but a day to show to Spain that the majority of the Catalan people want to decide the future of the country, whether is along with Spain or on their own. Just like Scotland but without the dialogue with the big capital.
This new way that has turned the celebration of September 11th has brought us big events like “The V” which was a big protest in the shape of a V(or a check sign) all over Barcelona, or the massive human chain that covered all Catalunya from head to toe, with people rounding the coast and holding hands in the process.
Dare to go to September 11th celebrations in Barcelona and Catalonia:
As you can see, September 11th has a really different meaning in Catalunya and Barcelona than the rest of the world. Yes, they celebrate a defeat, which is not very common, but shows strength and the will of overcoming all obstacles in life.
Dare yourself to enjoy the National Day en Catalonia, not just Barcelona, but its other cities or even towns. You will be amazed by all the celebrations, the passion that every citizen has of their country and you will catch a view of the country that not many people can.