Anna Roig i L’ombre de ton chien

I present to you: Anna Roig i L’ombre de ton chien (French for ‘Anna Roig and your dog’s shadow’). A wonderfully theatrical, humor-filled, catchy, sweet and amazingly talented group. The lead, Anna, is also the writer for the songs which are written in a mixture of French and Catalan. Her personality shines through in the quirky histories that take listeners into the minds of different invented characters as well as through Anna’s own memories. Their songs are playfully engaging on their own, but the videos are also well worth watching. This is certainly a band that would be hard to box into a single category as they seamlessly fuse jazz, pop, and other musical genres creating their own blend of musical goodness. And while I would describe them as an upbeat and positive group that is not to say that the emotional range here is limited. With songs like ‘Petons entre camions’ (‘Kisses Inbetween Trucks’) you will discover that they have a softer, melancholic side as well. So, enough with the lengthy descriptions, the best way to enjoy the music is to listen to it! >>>

Anna Roig i L’ombre de ton chien – ‘Red Mustache’

Anna Roig: vocals

Carles Sanz: keyboards/melodica

Magí Batalla: electric guitar

Carles Munts: bass/bass guitar

Ricard Parera: drums

http://www.annaroigilombredetonchien.com

The Diada Nacional: Straight from the Heart of Barcelona

For those of you, like me, that couldn’t attend the march in Barcelona, here’s a first hand account to help paint the picture. As Carles states, I believe the images speak for themselves. Many thanks to a wonderful friend, fantastic writer, history expert, Catalan teacher, and of course great photo journalist. Enjoy!

Plaza Catalunya, March for Independence

“Hi, my name is Carles, I am Catalan, I live near Barcelona. Tuesday I attended the big march for Catalan independence, so that we can separate from Spain. Why? Well, both countries have very different situations, yes, they share common bonds, but some of them are incredibly negative for Catalonia. We are a nation and we want to follow our own path as a new European state. There are powerful historical reasons, politic reasons, and cultural reasons. But I’ll leave this wider issue for another moment, for now I just want to emphasize the spirit of our National party and this associated march for independence. As a Catalan citizen in favor of our independence, we enjoyed a great celebration, very friendly and familiar. Whole families with fathers, mothers, children and relatives were there all together in hopes of realizing this common goal. I think that the easiest way to understand this fact is to look at the images from the event. Media sources around the entire world have shown this act. Thanks.” -Carles

 If they must make cuts, they should cut well.

Barcelona’s Town hall

(All images belong to Carles Molano Mascoso)

Bona Diada!

As with each year, el poble (the village, the Catalan population) turned out in mass to show their support for an independent Catalunya. The day was filled with a sea of estelades, senyeres, banners, and an almost overwhelming sense of community. From the reports that I’ve listened to and read about the demonstrations, they were enough to give you goose-bumps.

The movement towards Catalan independence is not a movement that is only supported by a small number of ‘radical’ individuals, but rather is the coming together of people from all walks of life to fight for their freedom and ability to decide for themselves how their government is run, a real modern-day struggle for democracy. This desire for independence is fueled by the dissatisfaction with the administration of government in Spain and the lack of autonomy for the region. Entire families turned out to the demonstrations today, children decked out in red and gold stripes, grandparents flying flags large enough to cover entire vehicles, the energy was contagious. The crowds swelled filling Barcelona’s plazas and streets with over 1.5 million people creating an unstopable force that swept through the city.

At the close of the demonstration Carme Forcadell, the head of the ANC (Catalan National Assembly) a group that was one of the main supporters of the event, reported “Today we closed the first chapter of our journey. We ended the demonstration near the Parliament so that tomorrow they can begin their session.” (source: La Vanguardia) Keeping ever-present the reason behind their march, a push for change, for freedom.

This Diada, Catalunya made history with an incredible show of support for independence. The population remains hopeful and determined to continue on their journey towards a new Catalan state.

To better explain the spirit of the demonstrations here are a few of the slogans seen and heard at the marches today:
“Catalunya nou estat d’Europa” – Catalonia, the next European State

“És possible” – It’s possible

“Llibertat!”- Freedom!

“No al pacte fiscal, INDEPENDENCIA!” – No to the fiscal pact, INDEPENDENCE!

“Freedom for Catalonia!”

“We shall overcome”

“Goodbye Spain”

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Sources:

Image: La Vanguardia, A Panoramic photo of the demonstrations in the heart of Barcelona

Quote: La Vanguardia “Masiva manifestación por la independencia de Catalunya por la Diada”

National Day of Catalonia

The 11th of September, la Diada Nacional de Catalunya commemorates a very important day in Catalan history with demonstrations that represent their culture, pride, and desire for an independent Catalunya. The Diada Nacional de Catalunya is one of three official national symbols. Together with their flag and national hymn this celebration is a defining force for the Catalan society. (For more info on the other symbols see the first two blog entries.)

So how did this holiday come about, and why is it celebrated on September 11th?

Let’s travel back a bit in time, the year is 1714 and Catalonia, a sovereign nation,  is caught up in the fighting from the Spanish War of Succession. With the possible unification of France and Spain the Spanish population was divided in an almost civil-war fashion. Those loyal to King Philip V allied with the French supporting unification while the Archduke of Austria, Britain and the Netherlands were fierce opponents of this action fearing that a strong imbalance of power would result from the unification. Eventually Philip V claimed victory and would establish a uniform political system throughout his conquered territories which included Catalonia.

The outstanding event for the Catalan people came during the end of the war during the Siege of Barcelona. The Catalan troops, under the supreme leadership of Rafael Casanova and regular townspeople miraculously resisted Philip V’s forces from taking Barcelona for 14 months. This was no ordinary fight, it was the battle for Catalan independence, to keep a democratic Catalan parliament in power rather than succumb to the absolutism of Philip V’s reign.  After a valiant fight and due to dwindling munitions and a great number of casualties, including Rafael Casanova who died in battle, the Catalans were forced to surrender. On September 11^th 1714 they lost the battle and along with it their freedom, national rights, and many cultural institutions including the use of the Catalan language.

The day is meant to celebrate the strong Catalan spirit and the community’s heroic resistance in the face danger, in the defense of their independence and freedom. Today the debate over the creation of an independent Catalan nation is stronger than ever. Although not all Catalans are in support of leaving Spain those in favor represent a huge part of the population. The National Day of Catalonia is a widespread event observed throughout the territory though the biggest events take place in Barcelona and include floral offerings to a statue that pays homage to Rafael Casanova, a ceremony in the Parc de la Cuidatella, performances, concerts, readings and countless demonstrations.

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Sources:

Painting:  Antoni Tàpies ‘L’esperit català’ 1971- Fundació Antoni Tàpies

11 de Septembre banner

“Diada de l’Onze de Septembre 2012” – Generalitat de Catalunya

Els Segadors, The Reapers

Els Segadors was made the national hymn of Catalonia in 1993, and the modern day lyrics are attributed to Emili Guanyavents.

The Reapers

(English translation, source:Wikipedia)

Catalonia triumphant

shall again be rich and bountiful.

Drive away these people,

Who are so conceited and so contemptful.

Strike with your sickle!

Strike with your sickle, defenders of the land!

Strike with your sickle!

Now is the time, reapers.

Now is the time to stand alert.

For when another June comes,

Let us sharpen well our tools.

Refrain

May the enemy tremble,

upon seeing our symbol.

Just as we cut golden ears of wheat,

when the time calls we cut off chains.

Refrain

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Els Segadors

Catalunya triomfant,

tornarà a ser rica i plena.

Endarrera aquesta gent

tan ufana i tan superba.

Bon cop de falç!

Bon cop de falç, defensors de la terra!

Bon cop de falç!

Ara és hora, segadors.

Ara és hora d’estar alerta.

Per quan vingui un altre juny,

esmolem ben bé les eines.

Tornada

Que tremoli l’enemic,

en veient la nostra ensenya.

Com fem caure espigues d’or,

quan convé seguem cadenes.

Tornada

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Sources:

“Els Segadors” – Translation from Wikipedia

“Els Segadors, himne nacional de Catalunya” – Generalitat de Catalunya

La Senyera, L’Estelada

La Senyera

La Senyera is the official Catalan flag and has been used as a national symbol since the 11th century. Legend has it that the flag originated from a 9th century post-battle scene in which Guifré el Pilós, or Wilfred the Hairy, then Count of Barcelona lies wounded having helped protect the Franks from the Normans. The Carolingian King Carles el Calb, Charles the Bald, knelt next to him, dipped four fingers in the blood of his wounds and proceeded to slowly drag them across a golden shield which he awarded to Wilfred in honor of his bravery.

(This, of course, is a legend, has many variations, and may or may not have actually happened. The important thing is that the Senyera is the official flag for Catalonia and can be found all across its territory.)

La Estelada

A newer, and unofficial version of the flag (first used in the early 1900s) has become a powerful symbol for Catalan Independentists, those in favor of a separation between the Catalonian government and that of the rest of Spain.

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Sources:

“Resum d’Historia dels Països Catalans” -Ferran Soldevila, Editorial Barcino, 1974 || “L’estelada; La bandera de combat” – Estelada.cat