Catalonian independence
Legend has it the flag of Catalonia was born from blood. The blood of a man called Wilfred the Hairy, who stories (but not necessarily any historical evidence) claim is the founder of Catalonia.
He was injured in war in August of the year 897 and would die there on the battlefield. But not before he ran his four bloodied fingers down a copper shield to create a coat of arms that today is found on the flag that flies so proudly above this region.
When it comes to the pride of Catalonia – and it is undeniable – a crucial step is about to be taken in just a few days’ time that could lead the region down the path to becoming the world’s newest country.
I’ll get to that in just a second, because it’s important to first ask what would Wilfred the Hairy think of it all?
After his death in the ninth century he was buried at Santa Maria de Ripoll, the monastery in the town of Ripoll.
With its beautiful entrance door and ornately-designed interiors, it is a fitting shrine for the man. For, when he took over the lands around Barcelona, he was trying to build a home outside the influence of the crown, governed by shared ideals.
That brings us nicely back to today and the issue of Catalonian independence, which many would say is trying to do exactly the same thing – more than a thousand years later.
The movement to push for Catalonia to secede from Spain and become its own country is gaining pace rapidly. It has, though, moved on from war and blood (we hope).
These days it is really about two things: economics and culture… with the two often being intertwined for an advantage in the political argument.
First, the economics. The common complaint of the Catalonians that you’ll hear from many is about tax. It’s essentially about how the profitable and industrious region is subsidising the rest of Spain and not getting enough in return.
Those for independence are unhappy about the disparity and think it would make a separation advantageous.
Spanish patriots see the issue as a bit more complicated. The same could be said for any capital city or area where natural resources are concentrated.
It could be said of Sydney, New York, London… it doesn’t mean separation is justified.
The deeper issue is about identity and that many people in Catalonia don’t see themselves as part of Spain – even more than 500 years after the country was effectively unified.
If you talk to people at bars or in restaurants they’ll bristle if you called Spanish and correct you – “I am Catalonian”.
It was during the 13th and 14th centuries that the region last effectively worked as a nation state and solidified its character, with the Catalan language taking over from Latin and a unique culture growing under the Counts of Barcelona.
They have a long memory around these parts.
Catalonia as a new European country
Independence. It’s been talked about for decades and there have been steps along the way. Throughout all these years the pride in the heritage has not subsided.
You can see the flags everywhere you go in Catalonia, the yellow and red stripes, sometimes with a white star on a blue triangle.
They’re hanging from windows of apartments in Barcelona, from poles in small towns, and from cars and buses along the roads.
In Barcelona, the capital of the region, a rally in September attracted about 1.5 million people to the streets calling for independence. To put in in context, that is about 20 per cent of the whole region’s population.
Returning to this coming weekend and, more specifically, Sunday.
A snap election has been called to choose the President of Catalonia. If, as widely expected, the current leader Artur Mas is re-elected he will use the vote as a mandate to push for independence.
It’s a step that many people have been pushing for as there seemed to be an enthusiasm amongst the people when the election was announced during my trip there.
If it even happens, it would be a while off, but Catalonia as its own country is not inconceivable within the context of the European Union.
Its economy is roughly the size of Portugal. And, with a population of 7.5 million, it would be bigger than Ireland, Norway, Finland or Denmark.
For international comparisons, its population is about the same size as the Australian state of New South Wales or the American state of Virginia.
It’s not clear what the next exact steps will be. Catalan President, Artur Mas, says independence will be put to a vote during his next term f he is re-elected.
Although, it’s not something Spain and the current Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy will accept easily. He has said he would stop any official referendum… and there’s even been talk from some national politicians of sending in the army, if necessary.
In Europe, a lot of eyes will be watching the developments from this region in the northeast of Spain this weekend.
The Catalan flag may have been drawn with blood – a symbol of the past. But nobody wants that to be the future.
Time Travel Turtle was a guest of the Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona tourism board but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.
This is so interesting! I studied Spanish in high school and college, so I remember learning about Catalonia and the language long before I traveled there. Now that I’m living in Europe, it makes it that much more interesting for me to see what happens with the vote and if they will actually be able to break off and be their own country at some point. They are definitely a group of people fiercely proud of their culture and language.
If becoming their own country was decided purely on pride, the Catalans would have this all sewn up! It will be really interesting to watch, particularly because the Spanish aren’t going to give up the region without a fight (perhaps a literal one). Maybe it’s just all about posturing, who knows? But there’s a lot at stake on both sides.
The Scottish often argue the same, although with a separate Parliament they are sort of one step further than Catalonia is. Really interesting post!
The problem with the Scottish is that they have the pride but not the resources. What makes the Catalonia case interesting is that they are a very wealthy and industrial region so they potentially could justify being a country from an economic point of view. Of course, that doesn’t take into account things that are currently covered for them like defence etc… but I think that’s the biggest difference between the two regions.
Can’t we all just be one big happy world.. is that too much to ask 😉 Great post though – one of the first to tackle the issue of Catalonia / Spain from all the folks who attended TBEX. I guess that journalism background comes in handy from time to time eh. I can’t personally see how Spain could let Catalonia gain independance, because it would mark the start of a slippery slope towards all of Spain breaking up. If Catalonia leaves, then the burden of fiscal responsibility will fall to other states, who will then start to feel aggrieved, and want their own independence. I hope it resolves itself peacefully somehow…
It seems it will work itself out… for now at least. There’s going to have to be a lot of negotiation of Catalonia truly wants to be completely independent. It’s not just a simple matter of deciding one day and then doing it.
Great post…having visited Catalonia I can attest to the pride of the people and their independent streak from the rest of Spain. If it’s what the people want, I hope that they get it..
I think having a lot of pride is one thing, working through the realities of independence is another. There are plenty of countries in the world that are essentially a coalition of varied cultures. Where it works well is where everyone gets something out of it.
Great post mate
Thanks, Chris. Hope all is well with you these days, by the way!
Thanks for the post & sharing a bit of an insight to the area & it’s political standing
My pleasure. I always think it’s important to understand a bit about a region that you’re in. With Catalonia, it’s impossible to avoid it, really!
Very informative post. I had no idea that Catalonia was so large and or such an economic power house.
I had never really given it a lot of thought before either. In some ways, you have to be there and feel the flow of the independence spirit to truly understand it.
You are absolutely right about the pride of the Catalonians. It certainly feels as though it is separate from Spain when traveling through that area. I did not know the history behind the flag though; very interesting!
I like to think the story of the flag is true. Even if it just legend, it still captures the place so well!
An interesting look at this. It seems that in almost every country today there are small pieces that would rather not be a part of the larger country. Some more like Catalonia and some less like Bavaria, but still interesting that even in the unification ideals of today, not too many people can agree.
I studied political science in Grad school and these kinds of questions and issues interest me at a theoretical level. Though I see the point, it seems like even being independent wouldn’t fix anything. Running a country of your own isn’t easy.
A very good point. You can’t argue with the passion of people who want independence but it’s not always that simple. As you say, running a country isn’t easy. Look at somewhere like East Timor, as an example. It had a very legitimate argument for its independence – but it has struggled for more than a decade now to build up the infrastructure and governance that is needed to be a country. It will get there, but it just shows how difficult it can be.
Your blog is great! I love how you focus on some topics or details instead of writing typical travel blog. It gives a great insight into these places.
Thanks so much for the comment! Look forward to sharing more stories with you!