Homage to Covid-19 victims and confined society in National Day institutional event

This year's event organized by the main Catalan institutions to mark the National Day (September 11) was like none other seen before. 

Unprecedentedly, there was no audience – except for authorities – and it was not live, but pre-recorded and broadcast by the public television channel TV3 from 10pm. 

Covid-19 not only had an impact on the traditional pro-independence protest on September 11, but also in the event held on its eve – to the extent that the theme was the pandemic and the efforts of Catalans coping with it throughout 2020. 

Held in several places within the Catalan government headquarters in Barcelona (Palau de la Generalitat), the event was a homage to Covid-19 victims and the whole society, which faced a strict lockdown for almost two months. 

The event revolved around the concept 'Earth' and the shared struggles of Catalonia with the rest of humanity. 

Prior to the event, president Quim Torra gave a speech to the nation in which he called on the Spanish king and president to formally offer a "solemn act of apology" for the Franco-era killings of thousands of Catalans, including the Catalan president at the time of the Spanish Civil War, Lluís Companys. 

Performances

Various artists took part in the act, which included a diverse range of performances from the likes of the Young Choir of the Orfeó Català, Xavi Lloses, Lídia Pujol, the Montserrat choir, Sopa de Cabra, and more.

During the interludes of the evening’s programme, actor Ivan Benet read out some passages of text by poet Josep Carner and author Joan Perucho, of which this year is the official commemoration.

One of the most touching scenes of the evening was the homage to victims of Covid-19, performed by the Montserrat choir and their pianist. They gave a rendition of the song Nigra Sum, composed by Pau Casals, whose centenary of the founding of his orchestra is also being commemorated this year.