L'Hospitalet celebrates city's centenary amid 'fascist' controversy

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia's second most populated city with 282,299 inhabitants, is celebrating its centenary this year after gaining city status in 1925. However, the commemoration has sparked controversy, with many critics labeling it a "fascist centenary."

In 1900, L'Hospitalet had a population of 4,891, which grew to 27,726 by 1925. The District II neighborhood experienced the most significant growth, increasing from 4,000 to 21,000 residents.

This expansion was largely driven by its proximity to Barcelona, as many construction workers involved in building the Barcelona metro—opened in 1924—and the 1929 Universal Exhibition settled in L'Hospitalet.

As a result of this rapid growth, L'Hospitalet was officially granted city status on December 15, 1925, as published in Spain's official gazette. However, this designation was not due to a profound transformation but rather an executive formality.

Political backlash

Despite the milestone, many residents and political groups argue that L'Hospitalet has existed since the 10th century and has a "millenary history, built by everyone," as pro-independence party Esquerra Republicana wrote on their 𝕏 account.

"L'Hospitalet City Council wants to 'celebrate' the centenary of being awarded a fascist title, granted by a dictatorship," the party posted, along with a picture featuring dictator Primo de Rivera and Spanish monarch Alfonso XIII.

Several political groups—including Esquerra Unida i Alternativa, En Comú Podem, CUP, Alternativa d'Esquerres de l'Hospitalet, and Jovent Republicà—have joined the opposition against the centenary celebrations.

In late January, the group issued a manifesto declaring that "there is nothing to celebrate, but much to reflect on and demand."

They argued that the title was granted by a "complicit monarchy to the Primo de Rivera dictatorship" and awarded to Mayor Tomàs Giménez, who had been appointed by the regime.

"If we are a city, it is not thanks to a dictator, but to our residents—workers who were victims of repression and murdered by the same dictatorship that granted this fictitious title," the manifesto reads.

Anniversary celebrations

Despite the controversy, L'Hospitalet officially launched its centenary celebrations on Monday evening with an event in Plaça Espanyola, in the Collblanc-La Torrassa neighborhoods, where the city unveiled its anniversary logo.

The logo features the characteristic 'L'H' alongside the number 100, symbolizing the city’s centenary.

As part of the commemorations, the City Council has planned several activities throughout the year, including the Cursa Nocturna race on April 5 and the Festes de Primavera local festival, where 43,000 scarves featuring the centenary logo will be distributed.

Additionally, there will be a large-scale exhibition, an immersive audiovisual experience, and a debate on the anniversary and the city’s evolution.