Catalonia's National Day begins with tribute to 1714 hero Rafael Casanova

Catalonia’s National Day, La Diada, opened on Thursday with the traditional floral offering at the Rafael Casanova monument in Barcelona.

From 9 am, political parties, cultural associations, and sports organizations laid flowers at the statue of Casanova, a key figure in the defense of Barcelona during the 1714 siege.

The tribute marked the beginning of a day filled with commemorative acts across Catalonia.

The ceremony recalls the fall of Barcelona to Bourbon troops on September 11, 1714, during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Since the late 19th century, Casanova has been celebrated as a symbol of Catalan rights and freedoms.

The tribute was opened by Catalan president Salvador Illa, who, accompanied by his cabinet, laid flowers before the statue.

After the government, the Parliament followed, led by speaker Josep Rull, while the Barcelona city council also took part, headed by mayor Jaume Collboni and his team.

The traditional offering, carried out alongside members of the Mossos d’Esquadra in their historic uniforms, consists of laying flowers at the foot of the monument and singing the Catalan anthem, Els Segadors.

Once the institutions had paid their respects, political parties presented their own floral tributes. Most parliamentary groups participated.

Esquerra Republicana’s delegation included former Catalan president Pere Aragonès, while the Socialists were represented by former president José Montilla.

After the political parties, cultural and sports organizations also took part, with the most notable being FC Barcelona.

Club president Joan Laporta led the tribute, joined by young athletes from different sections of the club, as well as Joan García, the goalkeeper recently signed by the Catalan club. 

Heavy rain interrupted the floral tribute. Later in the day, demonstrations and cultural events are expected to bring thousands of people into the streets across the region.

Catalan language use in schools sparks debate

The decision announced on Wednesday by the Catalan High Court (TSJC) to annul several key articles of the Catalan government’s 2024 decree on the educational language regime dominated discussions on National Day.

Catalan parliament speaker Josep Rull said the ruling has put the Catalan language “even more at risk.”

“Catalan is currently a language at risk, a language in danger, and the High Court of Justice has decided to put it even more at risk. Faced with this, there must be firm action, with determination, to defend the Catalan language,” he said.

Catalan government spokesperson Sílvia Paneque appealed to unity and “not to kill hope.”

“Let us keep alive the national and civic spirit that has helped us move forward as a country when times were difficult. We need to take a long-term view, prepare well, and work with perseverance,” she said.

Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni also criticized the court’s decision.

“At a time when we still suffer incomprehension and hostility for using the language that unites us, and that must also unite us in the future, the Catalan language, its social use and its use in schools,” he said.