Floral games

The Floral Games were Catalan literature’s most important launching pad in the third quarter of the nineteenth century, and an axis about which revolved a large proportion of the literary creation of the ‘Renaixença’ period. Different lines of thought can be found at the root of its conception: the ‘troubadour’ genre fashion, the discovery of a Barcelona medieval competition in books and, probably, the influence of the Rousillon writers Josep Tastú and P. Puiggarí.

The project, which would finally result in the celebration of the Floral Games in 1859, thanks to A. de Bofarull’s tenacity and the support of Barcelona’s Town Hall, would first be tried out by the ‘Acadèmia de Bones Lletres’ (ABL) [The Academy of Good Writing] (1841/1857). The competition would restore the figure of the adjudicator (A. de Bofarull, J. Cortada, V. Amer, Milà Fontanals, J. Ll. Pons Gallarza, J. Rubió and V. Balaguer). However, this re-establishment of a tradition of literary contests should be seen more as a historically guaranteed essential adaptation, more than a restoration of an old custom which would find an essential social complicity. For this reason, Barcelona’s ‘Consistori de la Gaia Ciència’ would be appealed to and, by coincidence, the name ‘Floral Games’, which corresponds to the literary competitions held in Toulouse since 1515, would be adopted. The historical feel of the contest would upset the members of some literary sectors, who would delight in parodying them and calling them old-fashioned: Santiago Rusiñol would satirise them in ‘Lo Niu Guerrer, els Jocs Florals de Can Prosa’ [War’s nest, the Floral Games of Prose’s House].

In spite of the above, the Floral Games would become a first class cultural and social event: if we examine the list of the contest’s presidents, adjudicators or assistants we can see that practically all of the classes of Catalan society of the time had some part to play with the games. Even those who had delighted in criticising the idea would eventually take part, more or less with enthusiasm, from 1866 onwards. The Floral Games would also become a focal point of reference for all of the artistic creation of the Region. The creation of the Floral Games of ‘Lo Rat Penat’ (1879) in Valencia, or the proliferation of floral contests all over the Catalan Region, were very good indicators that the project was well accepted in the society of the time.

The progressive consolidation of the contest also enabled the inception of a series of prizes that would greatly contribute to the encouragement of participation and the writing of other genres, different to the well-known triplet: faith, fatherland and love. At the same time, this consolidation would mean that the aesthetical tenet of the Games would widen and develop in accordance with the Catalan literary models and movements, as can be seen if we review the list of different masters in ‘Gai Saber’: Balaguer, Guimerà, Verdaguer, Costa Llobera, Maragall, etc. Furthermore, the social projection attained by the Floral Games favoured the recovery of readers of the new literary works written in Catalan, and would also favour a series of incipient editorial ventures coupled with a certain amount of commercial endeavours: the annual volume of the ‘Jocs Florals’ [Floral Games], ‘Lo Gay Saber’, and ‘La Renaixença’.

Floral Games edited in Mèxico during repression

The Floral Games became a competition that promoted the continuity of Catalan culture, enabling it to face many difficult moments. Thus, as a result of its suspension, ordered by the military authority in 1902, the Floral Games were held in Sant Martí del Canigó; later on, during Primo de Rivera’s dictatorship, they found refuge in Toulouse (1924) and in private households. Only the Civil War would manage to put an end to the historic continuity represented by the Games which, after 1941, would be reconstituted, in exile, under the name ‘Jocs Florals de la Llengua Catalana’ [Floral Games of the Catalan Language], and would be continue to be held until the present time in different European and American cities. The last Games celebrated in exile were held in Munich (1877); the following year they were again celebrated in Barcelona, coinciding with those that, since 1941, were to be held clandestinely in that city, although since 1971, publicly. With the changes introduced to the original conception of the Games in 1992, they have become a part of the ‘Setmana de la Poesia de Barcelona’ [Barcelona’s Week of Poetry].

Read more »

Catalan independence movement gathers pace

BARCELONA, April 27 — Romance was in the air in my home town of Barcelona on Wednesday, when the locals celebrated Sant Jordi’s Day — Catalonia’s patron saint St George — in the traditional manner of men buying a rose for women, who reciprocated with the gift of a book for their menfolk.

The day serves as a Catalan equivalent of Valentine’s Day, and on a bright and sunny Wednesday afternoon, strolling down the tree-lined avenue of Passeig De Gracia, with impromptu one-day-only book and flower stalls cramming the pavements, was a festive experience.

However, a little below the surface there lurks a far less benevolent sentiment in the hearts of many residents, whose calls for independence from Spain are gathering momentum all the time.

Away from Spain, few people are particularly aware of the Catalan independence issue. For the vast majority of outsiders, Barcelona and its surrounding countryside, tucked in behind the Pyrenees mountain range, is the north-eastern corner of Spain — as simple as that.

Locally, though, you will hear a very different story. The majority of Catalans do not regard themselves as Spanish at all, pointing to their separate language and their strong sense of history and culture — with the rose and book-giving traditions of Sant Jordi’s Day, which does not take place in any other parts of Spain, a fine example.

Indeed, the feelings of many natives were summed up on Wednesday by one of the most high-profile supporters of Catalan independence — and a potential future president of the state, if such a position ever becomes available.

Pep Guardiola is a former football Barcelona player and manager who is now in charge of European champions Bayern Munich. By coincidence, his team happened to be playing away to Real Madrid on Sant Jordi’s Day, prompting an unsuspecting German journalist how he felt to be “back home” in Spain.

Guardiola’s reply was simple but succinct: “Catalonia is my home, and it is not Spain.”

One of the main arguments in favour of independence is the Catalan language, which is entirely distinct from Castilian Spanish rather than just a dialect, as many people initially believe.

Catalan is one of four existing “Romance” languages to have derived from Latin, along with French, Italian and, yes, Castilian Spanish.

Catalan’s use throughout the province is ubiquitous, even in the tourist-friendly capital Barcelona, where all administrative paperwork is conducted in the local language and, for example, it is also the first listed in restaurant menus; visitors looking for the famous local side dish of bread with tomatoes may be surprised to see “Pa Amb Tomaquet” rather than the

Castilian version of “Pan Con Tomate”.

Appeals for independence are nothing new. Historically, in fact, Catalonia was an entirely distinct nation for many centuries, enjoying great wealth due to its vast naval power and control over Mediterranean trade routes. For a brief time, its expanse even stretched as far as Italy and Greece, and some parts of modern-day southern France still regard themselves as Catalan.

People cast mock ballots on Catalonia’s secession plan during Sant Jordi’s day in Barcelona April 23, 2014. Spain’s recent economic slump has renewed Catalonians’ agitation for independence. — Picture by Reuters

Catalonia’s status was gradually eroded due to a series of inter-marriages between Europe’s royal families, and independence was lost for good in 1714 when Barcelona was besieged and defeated in the War of the Spanish Succession.

Since then, Catalonia has officially been part of Spain — sometimes more begrudgingly than others. The most bitterly contested period was during and after the Spanish Civil War, which was eventually won by General Franco whose republican zeal led him to ban the public use of the

Catalan language and heavily suppress any expression of Catalan identity.

Since his death in 1975, however, the Catalan culture has reasserted itself, with the latest peak in patriotic sentiment provoked largely by the financial crisis endured by Spain in the last five years.

The catalyst is the fact that Catalonia, with its tourism and industry, generates a lot more revenue and, therefore, pays a lot more taxes than other parts of Spain, leading Catalans to feel aggrieved that they are effectively subsidising the failing parts of the country.

The most visible appeals for independence are launched via Catalonia’s most successful and most famous export: Barcelona’s football club.

Fans (of the team and of independence) use home games — especially against Real Madrid — as an opportunity to state their case in front of the watching world, while pro-independence chants sweep around the stadium after 17 minutes and 14 seconds of every half of every game, referencing 1714, the year of annexation to Spain.

Despite the popular support, independence remains a long way off. The Spanish government is firmly opposed to the move, fearing the break-up of Spain (the Basque region, for one, could follow suit if Catalonia is successful) and the loss of vital revenue. Considering that opposition, it was no surprise when Spanish politicians rejected with a huge majority an official Catalan appeal to hold a referendum on the subject. Undeterred, Catalan officials are determined to push ahead with a vote later this year, which will now be called a “consultation” rather than a “referendum” to avoid provoking Madrid’s ire with an unconstitutional act.

Ultimately, though, the independence movement will probably prevail. For many Catalans, celebrating their own patron saint, speaking their own language and cheering on their own football team just isn’t enough: they want their own country.

@andywest01

First published in The Malay Mail on Sunday 27 April

Read more »

Roses for Catalonia's independence

On World Book Day, Catalonians exchange roses and books. But it's also become a time to take sides on Catalonia's bid to secede from Spain - a referendum may take place in November, despite being unconstitutional.

Bouquets of red roses adorning flower stands at the Placa de Catalunya have transformed Barcelona's downtown into a dark red sea. In Catalonia, it's customary to exchange red roses and books on April 23.

But by now, those roses have become synonymous with certain political convictions. Bouquet wrappings are imprinted with the Catalonian flag - some even with a star, standing for the demand for independence.

At his Barcelona flower stand selling such bouquets, Roger Fernandez proclaimed that Catalonians should be allowed to vote on independence from Spain November 9 this year. He added a warning: "People have high expectations, but I don't really believe that there will be significant changes. After all, we know how the economic system works."

Roses not in the colors of Catalonia's flag don't sell well

Unconstitutional referendum

What is certainly doubtful is whether or not such a referendum will actually take place. Spain's constitutional court has already declared that a referendum on Catalonian independence would be unconstitutional. Although the constitution grants a degree of autonomy to Spain's various regions, it also spells out Spain's indivisibility. All its citizens are Spaniards - not just some.

The Spanish parliament rejected a referendum on Catalonian independence at the beginning of this month. That, however, failed to dissuade Catalonia's head of government, Artur Mas, from carrying out his plan to hold the referendum on November 9. He said that should Spanish law rule out such an endeavor, he would ask the regional Catalonian parliament to legitimize it.

'Good for Catalonia and good for Spain'

Mas emphasized that although such a referendum would not be legally binding, he would try to negotiate with Spain, should a large majority speak out in favor of secession. If that were the case, Mas said, the European Union should also try to negotiate a solution that is "good for Catalonia, good for Spain, and also good for Europe."

In order to confer more weight to his endeavor,on World Book Day Mas invited international media representatives to his government palace downtown Barcelona - a move that was interpreted by the Spanish media as an attempt to internationalize the conflict.

Most EU states, however, consider the conflict an internal Spanish issue, and tell the Catalonians to take their problems to the Spanish government. Members of the European Commission have reiterated that an independent Catalonia would not automatically become a member of the European Union, as the acceptance of any new member state must be agreed upon unanimously by all member states - including Spain.

Third proposal

Artur Mas considers Catalonian independence not only a Spanish issue

None of the parties has officially rejected dialogue. However, the head of the Spanish government, Mariano Rajoy, has called on Mas to give up the referendum before negotiations can take place, in respect of his country's constitution.

The Catalonian leader retorted that he only wants to negotiate with Madrid regarding the referendum, arguing that 80 percent of representatives in the Catalonian parliament voted in favor of it.

But not all Catalonians are adhering to a nationalistic course. The Catalonian socialists, for example, demand a constitutional amendment that would transform the Spain from its present 17 "autonomous communities" into a true federal state.

The autonomous communities currently negotiate bilaterally with Madrid on their rights and responsibilities, including on financial matters. A federal state, like that of Germany, would replace the Catalonian parliament with a regional chamber. This proposal, however, appears rather complicated when compared with the more simplistic approaches of either Madrid or Barcelona.

Who cares?

While Artur Mas tried to turn World Book Day into a platform for his secessionist cause, authors were rather trying to sell their books on every street corner. Among them is Catalonian philosophy professor Manuel Cruz, whose latest work critically examines the internally-oriented Catalonian society.

Catalonians are intent on navel-gazing, author Author Cruz thinks

For quite some time now, Cruz explained, the main issue dominating public debate in Catalonia is the question of independence. "And people seem to be convinced that the entire world must be interested in our cause - navel-gazing on a grand scale," Cruz declared.

Cruz recalled that Artur Mas sent letters to all European governments - and got almost no response at all. "But when you watch regional television programs, you get the impression that the entire world is looking to what's happening here," he said. "We tend to view ourselves contentedly, immune to any kind of criticism," the philosopher noted.

Flower vender Merche is another who refuses to join the secessionist movement. Last year, she didn't sell flowers in wrappers adorned with the star of independence. "I am not in favor of independence," she said - even if that means less business. In the old days, she recounted, she used to sell at least 500 roses on the World Book Day - but nowadays, it's not even 100.

Source

Read more »

Catalan Spring Picnic in Los Angeles (California)

Spring Picnic for Sant Jordi in Los Angeles

Sunday, May 5th, 2012 12-5pm

Rancho Dominguez, 18127 S. Alameda Street, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220

12:30 Arts and Crafts Workshop for the little ones
1:00 Culinary demonstration of Catalan cuisine
2:00 Lunch (paella, salad, bread, desert, and coffee)
3:30 Sardanes, traditional Catalan dancing
4:00 Games and activities for kids (piñata)
4:30 Raffle

Price $15 adults, $13 members, $6 under 12. Make your lunch reservations before May 1st.

More about Sant Jordi 2013, Catalans Abroad here.

More about Sant Jordi here

Read more »

Saint George’s Day in Barcelona: roses, Books ... and Collective Security

Love and Culture.  Saint George’s Day in Catalonia is a treat to the senses, with hundreds of stalls selling books and roses and a mass of humanity peacefully taking over the streets. It is not surprising that the day is often referred to as one devoted to love and culture. Unaware tourists never cease to be amazed by this unexpected sight and gladly join the celebration. For recent immigrants, Saint George’s Day is often their first contact with Catalan culture, opening the way to integration in their new country. Wherever you are on 23 April, never forget to buy your lady a red rose, or the man in your life a book.

Two red roses stand out among the multitude, in Barcelona’s Rambles

Saint George’s Military Dimension.  Having said that, we have to be realistic. We live in a dangerous world, and while roses and books are a great sight, and love and culture should certainly play a role in our lives, they can only thrive in democracy and freedom, which have their fair share of enemies. These enemies, be they state or non-state actors, are not going to be deterred, much less defeated, by flowers and literature. One does not stop a terrorist or a common or garden dictator by brandishing a nice red rose before him. This is why responsible nations work together to defend their national security, be it at a global level or on a regional plane, through alliances such as NATO.

Catalonia, as a responsible nation willing to contribute to the Allies’ security, is ready to undertake such commitments. Catalans understand that freedom never comes free, and that a nation not willing to sacrifice for her security and that of her allies simply does not deserve liberty. That is one of the few advantages of being a slave, you don’t have to take difficult decisions, you can afford to look the other way.

It is thus no coincidence that Catalonia’s Patron Saint is Saint George, who embodies the fight against evil. Let us never forget something: the red rose rises from the dragon’s blood. The rose is only born after the dragon has been killed. Without security and defence, love and culture cannot survive. We are happy to share our patron saint with countries like England, which have shown throughout history their willingness to stand up to tyranny.  

Thus, while Saint George is surely a symbol of Catalonia’s language and literature, and of romantic love, it also represents the country’s commitment to collective security.  It embodies Catalonia’s commitment to the defence of the Free World, of the maritime democracies led by the United States, against the myriad threats in the horizon and beyond. The fact that we share Saint George with some of these countries only reinforces this.

Saint George slaying the dragon, on the façade of the Catalan Government Palace in Barcelona.

The Coronela at Montjuic’s Castle on Saint George’s Day Eve.  Despite the above, the military side of Saint George has not always been that clear in Catalonia over the previous century, at least publicly. Some circumstances, which the country is fortunately leaving behind, meant that many Catalans ignored their history or had a very limited vision of the nation’s past. At the same time, some Catalans misguidedly reacted to oppression not by struggling to join the concert of normal nations but by holding dreams of neutrality. It is by now clear that this is not possible, you can either be a slave and not care when peace is threatened, or be free and join in its defence. There is no place for free riders.

Evidence of this growing maturity was once more clear this year on Saint George’s Day Eve, when members of a military re-enactment group named after La Coronela paid homage to Catalonia’s patron saint and his flag in the Castle of Montjuic, overlooking Barcelona. La Coronela was the name of Barcelona's militia, comprising reservists, citizen-soldiers called upon to defend the city and the country when under threat. Barcelona’s guilds provided the manpower, being also jointly responsible for equipment with the Crown. Each guild provided a company. At the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1714), the Coronela expanded to five battalions, playing a key role in the defence of Barcelona. Similar units could be found in other Catalan towns.

Saint George’s military side is also apparent in English history, as clear from the poster above, employed in recruitment efforts during the First World War.

In its modern reincarnation, the Coronela is working hard to bring back to life the memory of the unit, while helping rebuild Catalonia's military values and traditions. It is these values and traditions which will allow Catalan troops to soon be serving shoulder to shoulder with those from other Allies.  

The event was notable, among others, for the homage to Saint George’s flag, which one can find all over Catalonia, often part of the coats of arms of local councils and all sorts of organizations. The public gladly joined, and everybody displayed the solemnity and respect to be expected on such an occasion. The following are some pictures taken during the event.

A Coronela officer.

Coronela troops entering Montjuic Castle carrying their flags, with Saint George’s leading.

The sun sets, after the homage to Saint George’s flag.

We could thus see how, as Catalonia moves forward to recover her lost liberty, she is also advancing to exercise her responsibilities. Saint George’s Day will always be the day of love and literature, of roses and books, in Catalonia. From now on, however, once the country is determined to recover her lost freedom, it cannot but also be the day of the slaying of the dragon. Without its blood, there is no red rose. The international community must confront many dragons, let us there be no doubt that Catalonia will stand ready to contribute to their defeat.

Alex Calvo is a Professor of International Relations and International Law, Head of the IR Department, and Postgraduate Research Director, European University (Barcelona Campus). An expert on Asian security and defence issues, he got his LLB from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS, University of London) and is currently doing an MA in Second World War Studies at the University of Birmingham. He is a former teaching and research fellow at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).

Read more »

Sant Jordi's day in Georgetown (Washington DC)

All of the activities after 2pm will be held in the Intercultural Center building (ICC) on the Campus of Georgetown University (37th and O Street, NW, Washington DC, 2007)

2pm-4pm (ICC 450)

Literary gathering, bring your favorite texts (RSVP)

4:30pm (ICC 450)

What Catalans Want: A view from new generations
Laia Balcells, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Duke University
Astrid Bierge, Freelance journalist and writer
Mod: Clara Ponsatí, Prince of Asturias Chair, SFS, Georgetown University

8:30pm (ICC 462)

Catalan dinner (traditional Catalan food)

All day long

Book exchange in the hall of the Spanish and Portuguese Department. Bring a good book to give. Take another one with you.

More about Sant Jordi 2013, Catalans Abroad here.
More about Sant Jordi here

Read more »