Catalan National Day: what to do for September 11 in Catalonia and beyond

September 11 is a date of utmost historical significance in Catalonia, marking the fall of Barcelona in 1714 during the Spanish War of Succession and the territory’s loss of sovereignty.

And as is the case every year, commemorative activities will take place in Catalonia and abroad on Monday and the days leading up to the anniversary of the fateful event. 

Check out our guide to the main 'La Diada' activities below: 

In Catalonia

• Catalan parliament open days: Visit the headquarters of one of the world's oldest parliaments – inspired by the Paris Opera House – for free.
  Where: Catalan parliament, Ciutadella Park, Barcelona
  When: September 11 from 11 am to 6 pm
   
• Catalan government open days: Sign up here for a free tour of the Catalan government headquarters.
  Where: Catalan government, Plaça Sant Jaume, Barcelona
  When: September 10 from 10 am to 7 pm and September 11 from 10 am to 5 pm
   
• Floral tribute: Political parties and civil society organizations lay flowers at the foot of the statue of Catalonia's commander-in-chief during the siege of Barcelona.
  Where: Rafael Casanova Monument, Ronda Sant Pere, Barcelona
  When: September 11 from 9 am
   
• National Day protest: Organized by the pro-independence Catalan National Assembly, the association calls on people to take to the streets to demand a split from Spain. This year the protest also calls on Europe to act and to become more involved in the Catalan independence issue. While previous editions attracted over a million protesters, fewer people have gathered in recent years, especially following the pandemic.  Where: Four columns starting from different points of Barcelona (Barcelona's Ciutat de la Justícia courts, Proa School in Barcelona's La Bordeta neighborhood, Sants train station, and Plaça Letamendi) will unite in Plaça Espanya.                                                                                    When: September 11, 5:14 pm, although people are advised to arrive by 4:30 pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Main official commemorative event: Music, theater, dance, and video mapping highlighting Catalan values, culture, and identity, putting the spotlight on the Catalan language, its different accents, and the diversity of the language.
  Where: Puig i Cadafalch towers, Montjuïc mountain, Barcelona
  When: September 11, 10 pm

Abroad

• Catalan delegation to the EU: Sign up here to attend the celebrations of the National Day of Catalonia with an institutional reception. Laura Vilagrà, Minister of the Presidency of the Government of Catalonia, and Ignasi Centelles, Representative of the Government of Catalonia to the EU will be in attendance. There will also be a piano performance by Laura Nunes, a musician at the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles.
  Where: Espai Catalunya Europa. Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat, 227, Brussels
  When: September 13, 6:30 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to the UK and Ireland: Institutional reception on the occasion of Catalonia's National Day with the attendance of MPs and government representatives strategic partners of the delegation and the Catalonia House and members of the Catalan community living in London
  Where: London's Law Society, 113 Chancery Ln, London WC2A 1PL, United Kingdom
  When: September 11, 6 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to US and Canada: Following Slovenia's display of the Plataforma per la Llengua exhibition ‘The Catalan Language: 10 Million European Voices’ in 2021, the exhibit will now be seen in New York at the Hispanic House of Columbia University
  Where: 612 W 116th St, New York, NY 10027, United States
  When: September 11, 6.30 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to France: A reception will be held at 6.30 pm at the Paris Coin Museum, with representatives of the political, diplomatic, cultural, and economic world of France. The day before, on Sunday, September 10, at 12.00 pm there will be a meeting with the Catalan community and a human tower performance in Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris.
  Where: Paris Coin Museum; Place Saint-Sulpice in Paris
  When: September 11, 6.30 pm; September 10, 12 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to Germany: The German delegation invites the Catalan community to a gastronomic evening of Catalan DO products with musical offerings from the Kebyart Quartet and DJ Llupe.
  Where: GLS Campus in Berlin
  When: September 11, 6.30 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to Italy: The church of San Lorenzo in Miranda in Rome will be filled with music inspired by the traditional sounds of the Catalan-speaking territories at a reception organized by the delegation. Music will also be the guiding thread of an event the previous day in Alguer, the Catalan-speaking city of Sardinia.
  Where: San Lorenzo church, Miranda, Rome; Villa Mosca, Alguer, Sardinia
  When: September 11, 7.30 pm; September 10, 7 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to Central Europe: Different events organized in Slovenia, Austria, and Poland. A solidarity concert in the Slovenian capital on September 8 will raise funds for those affected by the August floods in the country. In Vienna, there will be an institutional reception and a guitar-duo concert. In addition, Catalan products will be served to those in attendance. The weekend following the 'Diada', the delegation will meet with the Catalan community in Poland.
  Where: Ljubljana, Slovenia; Vienna, Austria; Poland
  When: September 8; September 11; weekend of September 16-17
   
• Catalan delegation to Portugal: A performance by pianist Isolda Crespí will mark the National Day celebrations in Portugal. The event will include a speech by the government delegate to Portugal, Rui Reis.
  Where: National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon, Portugal
  When: September 11, 6.30 pm
   
• Catalan delegation to Switzerland: An institutional event and a round table will aim to explain the government's commitment to women's sport, as well as FC Barcelona women's sports model, based on the values of comprehensive training, gender equality, inclusion, and social commitment. An exchange of knowledge and experiences between Catalonia and Switzerland, the promotion of women's sports, and the dissemination of Catalan culture in Switzerland will be encouraged.
  When: Wednesday, September 13, 6.30 pm
  Where: Museum of Art and History, Geneva, Switzerland