So I know I don't usually update more than once a week, but today is a special day here in the area I live in: Catalunya! In honor of this, I thought I'd post some facts about Catalunya(Catalonia in English).
Today is the day that commemorates when Catalan troops surrendered to Felipe V(the recognized king of Spain) in 1714. Though Catalunya is a part of Spain, it is very independent from it, much like Basque Country in the north of Spain. I compare it to Basque Country because both areas of Spain have a very distinct sense of pride in their region, and a language that is different from that of the rest of Spain. Catalunya is governed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, which has been around since Medieval times. It has been abolished and reinstated twice. The second time is notable because it was abolished by the Franco dictatorship. Catalunya is also defined as a "nationality" of Spain, it is one of three areas(the others being Basque Country and Galicia) to hold this definition in the Spanish constitution. This gives it the right to autonomy, though it is always first under the rule of Spain. Since 1979, Spain has increased Catalunya's automony, the Generalitat holds jurisdiction in the areas of culture, environment, communications, transportation, commerce, public safety and local government. Spain shares jurisdiction over education, healthcare, and the justice system. Now, and especially on La Diada, there are groups of Catalans who believe that Catalunya should be independent. On September 11 in particular, there are many demonstrations held.
Below is the flag that those in support of an independent Catalunya fly. It's pretty common here, I've seen it about as much as I have seen the regular flag(I talk about it below). It bears a striking resemblence to the Cuban flag. It was designed in 1904 and was briefly used during Catalunya's independence in 1931. The flag itself is called L'Estelada.
Catalunya is the most Northwestern area of Spain, it stretches along Andorra and France(separated by the Pyrenees Mountains), and along the Mediterranean Sea. It is comprised of four provinces: Barelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona(can you guess which one I live in?). Barcelona is the capital of the region. The name Catalunya is theorized to be from the word "Land of Castles" or "castlà".
The language of Catalunya, or "català", is a Romance based language. I've mentioned before how difficult it is to learn, and I'm still serious about that. It sounds a little like French and Spanish. Linguists have traced it back to the Middle Ages. Unlike Basque, where nobody is really sure where it came from, Catalan has distinct origins. It is one of the official languages of Catalunya, and the only language of Andorra, which borders the region. During the Franco Dictatorship, Catalan was banned, and only Spanish was allowed. Once the dictatorship had fallen, Catalan came back strongly(I highly doubt anyone actually really followed the ban). Everything here is in Catalan, with a few exceptions for things in English and Spanish. Schools are taught in Catalan as well.
One very very famous Catalan? Salvador Dali.
The flag used today is called Senyera, which is roughly translated into "signal flag" from Catalan. It is one of the oldest flags in Europe. You can see where(obviously) L'Estelada derives from this flag.
The legend behind it is one of my favorite stories to tell people. Though I had originally heard it without any historical fact from A, I went online and did a little research. The legend originates in the 1300s, but is set in the 800s. Two kings were fighting to keep their kingdoms from the Moors, Wildred I the Hairy and King Charles the Bald. Wilfred I(who I have found was a count not a king), was wounded during battle. As he lay dying, the other king came to his side. Wildred I lamented that there was not flag for Catalunya. He begged King Charles the Bald to create a flag, as his dying wish. King Charles the Bald took his golden shield(or a piece of cloth depending on the version) and with the dying king's blood, drew his hand down the shield. This is why there are four red stripes, one for each bloodied finger.
I don't know how true it is, but it's rather romantic isn't it?
Today is the day that commemorates when Catalan troops surrendered to Felipe V(the recognized king of Spain) in 1714. Though Catalunya is a part of Spain, it is very independent from it, much like Basque Country in the north of Spain. I compare it to Basque Country because both areas of Spain have a very distinct sense of pride in their region, and a language that is different from that of the rest of Spain. Catalunya is governed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, which has been around since Medieval times. It has been abolished and reinstated twice. The second time is notable because it was abolished by the Franco dictatorship. Catalunya is also defined as a "nationality" of Spain, it is one of three areas(the others being Basque Country and Galicia) to hold this definition in the Spanish constitution. This gives it the right to autonomy, though it is always first under the rule of Spain. Since 1979, Spain has increased Catalunya's automony, the Generalitat holds jurisdiction in the areas of culture, environment, communications, transportation, commerce, public safety and local government. Spain shares jurisdiction over education, healthcare, and the justice system. Now, and especially on La Diada, there are groups of Catalans who believe that Catalunya should be independent. On September 11 in particular, there are many demonstrations held.
Below is the flag that those in support of an independent Catalunya fly. It's pretty common here, I've seen it about as much as I have seen the regular flag(I talk about it below). It bears a striking resemblence to the Cuban flag. It was designed in 1904 and was briefly used during Catalunya's independence in 1931. The flag itself is called L'Estelada.
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| L'Estelada |
Catalunya is the most Northwestern area of Spain, it stretches along Andorra and France(separated by the Pyrenees Mountains), and along the Mediterranean Sea. It is comprised of four provinces: Barelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona(can you guess which one I live in?). Barcelona is the capital of the region. The name Catalunya is theorized to be from the word "Land of Castles" or "castlà".
The language of Catalunya, or "català", is a Romance based language. I've mentioned before how difficult it is to learn, and I'm still serious about that. It sounds a little like French and Spanish. Linguists have traced it back to the Middle Ages. Unlike Basque, where nobody is really sure where it came from, Catalan has distinct origins. It is one of the official languages of Catalunya, and the only language of Andorra, which borders the region. During the Franco Dictatorship, Catalan was banned, and only Spanish was allowed. Once the dictatorship had fallen, Catalan came back strongly(I highly doubt anyone actually really followed the ban). Everything here is in Catalan, with a few exceptions for things in English and Spanish. Schools are taught in Catalan as well.
One very very famous Catalan? Salvador Dali.
The flag used today is called Senyera, which is roughly translated into "signal flag" from Catalan. It is one of the oldest flags in Europe. You can see where(obviously) L'Estelada derives from this flag.
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| Senyera, the official flag of Catalunya |
I don't know how true it is, but it's rather romantic isn't it?
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