150th anniversary of cellist Pau Casals' birth to be marked with over 70 events

The 150th anniversary of Catalan cellist and composer Pau Casals' birth will be commemorated with more than 70 events across 2026 and 2027 in a diverse program spanning Catalonia, Spain, and the international stage.

Pau Casals, born in 1876, was a renowned cellist and composer respected in Catalonia for his defense of democracy during the Franco dictatorship. He died in 1973, two years before the regime came to an end.

Presented by the Pau Casals Foundation and the Catalan government, the anniversary celebrations will include concerts, exhibitions, audiovisual productions, and educational projects aimed at celebrating both Casals' musical legacy and his commitment to peace and human rights. 

The director general of the Pau Casals Foundation, Jordi Pardo, stressed "Casals is enormously popular in Catalonia, but awareness of the importance and relevance of his legacy can be much greater."

Among the most notable highlights are a performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in Madrid, a traveling exhibition on Casals' life, and a concert featuring the winner of the Queen Elisabeth Competition playing Casal's's historic Goffriller cello. 

Opening ceremony

The commemoration officially began on Monday April 14 in El Vendrell, Casals' hometown, with an opening ceremony at the Tivoli Auditorium followed by public celebrations in the town center.

Catalan president Salvador Illa used the occasion to underline the relevance of Casals' values in today's global context. He stressed that "in the face of injustice and war, it is not enough to remain silent," calling for responses grounded in dialogue, international law, and human rights.

On another note, Illa wanted to emphasize the "value" of Casals to education. He pointed out that the anniversary "must serve to reinforce confidence in our educational and cultural system."

Spain's culture minister Ernest Urtasun also highlighted Casals' moral stance during periods of conflict, recalling his exile during the Spanish Civil War and his lifelong advocacy for peace. 

Urtasun recalled one of the cellist's most famous phrases: "We are all leaves on the same tree, and the tree is humanity."

Other institutional figures echoed the need to uphold the musician's universal values in a world still marked by war and inequality.

The ceremony was marked by the symbolic return of Casals' Goffriller cello to Catalonia. Previously kept in New York by his widow, the instrument will now be preserved at the Pau Casals Museum, in Sant Salvador (Tarragona) while continuing to be played in select performances worldwide.

Òscar Alabau, principal cellist of the Gran Teatre del Liceu Orchestra, performed the instrument during the ceremony, closing the event with Casals' signature piece, 'The Song of the Birds.'

Exhibitions, concerts, and international reach

The two-year program includes the exhibition 'Pau Casals: A musician in the service of peace,' set to open in October 2026 in Barcelona before traveling to Madrid and returning to El Vendrell in 2027.  It explores Casals' dual legacy as an artist and humanitarian, highlighting his defense of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Other key events include the 'Pau Casals International Music Festival' in El Vendrell, annual Pau Casals Day celebrations at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona, and the installation of Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa's work 'Yolandita' in the gardens of the Pau Casals Museum from June 2026 through the end of 2027.

Additional performances will feature leading international artists, including German violinist Julia Fischer and cellist Daniel Müller-Schott, as well as orchestras such as the Musikkollegium Winterthur from Switzerland.

Engaging new generations

Organizers say the commemoration aims not only to honor Casals but also to expand awareness of his legacy, particularly among younger audiences. New digital content, educational initiatives, and the restoration and digitization of archival recordings will give new perspectives on Casals' life.

A documentary by ARTE TV and a three-part series by Catalan broadcaster 3Cat are also in production.

El Vendrell mayor Kenneth Martínez described Casals as "the best ambassador Catalonia has," pointing to his role in bringing Catalan cultural identity to global audiences through music.

With an initial budget of €1 million, additional funding is expected, such as potential contributions from the Spanish government, which has designated the commemoration as an 'Event of Exceptional Public Interest.'