How FC Barcelona and Orfeó Català were silenced under Primo de Rivera's dictatorship

On June 14, 1925, a friendly match took place between FC Barcelona and CE Júpiter at Les Corts stadium, shortly after Barça had won the Spanish Cup.

The game was held as an homage to the Orfeó Català, a historic choral society and cultural institution dedicated to promoting Catalan music and culture, founded in 1891.

The tribute celebrated the success of the Orfeó's artistic trip to Rome that year, organized in honor of the Jubilee. 

However, Barça’s homage to the Orfeó had serious consequences for both institutions: FC Barcelona was suspended for six months, and the Orfeó was temporarily closed.

These were difficult times for Catalan institutions, as Spain had been under a military dictatorship since September 1923, led by Miguel Primo de Rivera. The regime banned any Catalan symbols, as well as the public use of the Catalan language and flag.

During this period of restricted political freedoms and repression of Catalan identity, Barça became, for many supporters, a symbol of resistance against the dictatorship’s persecution of Catalanism.

After Barça’s homage to the Orfeó, the Barcelona civil governor decreed a six-month suspension of FC Barcelona’s activities, citing that the club’s members "shared ideas contrary to the nation."

The Orfeó Català was temporarily closed unless it publicly expressed its "loyalty to the united and indivisible nation of Spain."

FC Barcelona’s suspension was lifted six months later, and the Orfeó’s closure ended in October, but the episode had lasting repercussions.

Joan Gamper, founder and president of FC Barcelona, was forced to resign and go into exile in Switzerland, and was prohibited from any future involvement with the club.

On the occasion of the centenary of these events and coinciding with FC Barcelona’s 125th anniversary, the Palau de la Música Catalana promoted the reissue of the book 'La clausura de l’Orfeó Català i el F.C. Barcelona (1925)' by Joaquim Montclús.

Originally published in 2000 by Editorial Pòrtic and long out of print, it has now been republished by Editorial Dalmau.

Joaquim Uriach, president of the Orfeó Català, told Catalan News that the book is essential to understand a “historical period of persecution suffered by the two institutions.”

"They were persecuted for being Catalan, for defending Catalan culture," he said. 

"At the same time, one also realizes the importance of Catalan society, of Catalan civil society, which at every moment defended and supported both the Orfeó Català and Barça. Thanks to civil society as a whole, and to certain individuals in particular, it was possible to achieve the reopening of the Orfeó Català and FC Barcelona."

Elena Fort, institutional vice president of FC Barcelona, said that these are exactly the values behind the club's 'Més que un club' (More than a club) slogan.

"Without Catalonia, Barça would not exist," she said. "Barça has always been closely linked to the country, and these events show that the country, Barça, and the Orfeó Català have all suffered greatly — enduring constant repression. It is hard to acknowledge this even 100 years later," she concluded.