The Backpackers Hostel Blog

Thu 11 Sep 08

The Arc de Triomf, gate of entry to the Ciutadella.

The first act passed by the Parliament when it was created in 1980 declared September 11th as the Catalan National Day in the following terms: “(…) In times of struggle, the Catalan people used to mark a special day, the eleventh of September, as the National Day of Catalonia. A special day which, while representing the painful memories of the loss of liberties, on the eleventh of September 1714, and an attitude of struggle and active resistance to oppression, also embodied the hope of total recovery of its nationhood.

Catalonians celebrate their National Day with concerts, demonstrations and parades throughout Barcelona and hanging red-and-yellow striped Catalonian flags from their balconies. In the “Parque de la Ciudadela”, organisations and political parties make floral offerings to the monuments of Rafael Casanova and Josep Moragues. After that several artistic performances are offered to the public. (Taken from www.gencat.net).