Floral tribute to 1714 patriot marks start of National Day

Catalonia’s National Day is underway with its traditional floral tribute to Rafael Casanova, Barcelona’s chief councilor during Spain’s succession war in 1714. 

'La Diada' in Catalan began on Wednesday morning with authorities honoring Casanova, who fell injured during the fall of the city on September 11, 1714.

The leader, once the territory lost its sovereignty, went on to become an icon in the quest to demand greater freedoms and self-rule.

That day, Catalonia lost its sovereignty to the Bourbons, who still rule over Spain.

The first ones to lay flowers were the police Mossos d'Esquadra accompanied by interior minister Núria Parlon and general director Josep Lluís Trapero.

At 9 am, the government led by Socialist Salvador Illa paid their tribute, followed by the pro-independence president speaker, Josep Rull, and the chamber's bureau.

Barcelona city council followed before political parties and civil society organizations laid flowers. Far-right Aliança Catalana and Vox parties, far-left CUP, and People's Party did not attend the floral tribute,

Check out our podcast on La Diada to find out all about the National Day in detail: 

The floral tribute, a long-standing tradition, has taken on added significance in recent years due to the ongoing territorial tensions between Spain and Catalonia.

A call for unity from the Socialist government

After Salvador Illa's first speech for Catalonia's National Day on Tuesday evening, where he called for "unity" among Catalans, the Government's spokesperson Silvia Paneque has reinforced that idea in Wednesday's floral tribute: "Today is a day to come together and enjoy as one."

"It is an opportunity to engage with different people while respecting our diverse points of view," Silvia Paneque added.

Determination against the Supreme Court from the Parliament speaker

Josep Rull, the Parliament speaker, has called for "determination and steadiness" against the "radical non-compliance" of the amnesty law by the Spanish Supreme Court.

"The Court has completely disregarded the law and are going into rebellion mode," Rull comented.

In addition, he remembered that, for another year, there are politicians in exile on National Day, like former president Carles Puigdemont.

Pro-independence parties encourage demonstrations

During the floral tributes on Wednesday morning, pro-independence party Junts criticized Salvador Illa and his speech. 

Laura Borràs, the president of Junts, stated that "the current government should be leading Catalonia's growth", but she believes that their priority is "not to anger the Spanish government".

She also emphasized that people should not forget "the democratical abnormalities". "We do not have the right to give up," she concluded.

Esquerra Republicana has reinforced their "commitment" to achieve the new fiscal model for Catalonia.

Juli Fernández, the general secreaty of Esquerra Republicana, encouraged all pro-independence supporters to "demonstrate and take to the streets" and "to defend the values that made us who we are."

Comuns Sumar against hate speech

Jéssica Albiach, from left-wing Comuns Sumar, has stated that "Catalonia is supportive, welcoming, and a guarantor of rights and freedoms".

She also said that in Catalonia there is no space for "those who promote hate speech and fear".

Albiach also called on Salvador Illa for not mentioning Catalonia's new financial model on his Tuesday night speech: "This new financial model is essential to strengthening the welfare stare."

Parties not attending the tribute

Some parties like CUP, PP, VOX and Aliança Catalana did not attend the floral tribute in Barcelona.

However, they did mostly state their views on the National Day through social media or at alternative political events. 

Far-left pro-independence CUP did not attend the floral tribute either and held an alternative event to tribute Gustau Muñoz, a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly shot by a police officer and whose death was never investigated. 

During the tribute, the CUP MP Laure Vega, defended that the pro-independence movement is not over: "We celebrate that we are still mobilized".

"They forget that this is a political project, and people come together on a shared belief," she added.

The right-leaning People's Party did not attend the floral tribute either as they say that "it does not represent everyone in the Catalan society", as stated by Alejandro Fernández, an MP of the party.

"Despite the change in the Catalan presidency, the new government continues to maintain the same nationalist ceremony for the institutional event of the National Day," he added. 

Fernández also gave a message of "pride of being Catalan, it makes us be optimistic with the future."