La Diada 2020: History and Significance of the National Day of Catalonia

The National Day of Catalonia, also known as Diada Nacional de Catalunya or La Diada, is a public holiday celebrated every year on September 11 in the Barcelona and Catalan region of Spain.

What is the National Day of Catalonia (La Diada)?

Barcelona is the capital city of the region of Catalonia. This region in Spain is known for its rich tradition that gives local people monstrous pride. From foods to customs, this autonomous community stands apart from the rest of the nation. On 11th September every year, “La Diada” is praised, the national day of Catalunya.

This annual event is something that a great many people engage in, with most festivals focused on the capital, Barcelona. Thusly, on the off chance that you find yourself in Barcelona on this date, we believed best to give you the background to this notable event. Kindly remember that any activities occurring will require social distancing and masks will be mandatory! In any case, there will be a lot of local celebrations occurring for you to watch if you wish to stay away from enormous groups.

Why is La Diada celebrated

La Diada remembers the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession of 1714 when the region of Catalan lost authority over its institutions and laws. These indications of sovereignty would be lost to the central governance of Spain following a 14-day siege between the Army of Catalonia and the army of Spain, who battled for King Philip V. This was an immense defeat that truly denoted the conclusion to the realm of Catalonia.

In the years that followed, the flavor of defeat despite everything left an unpleasant taste. Nonetheless, in 1886, the individuals of Catalonia started to praise the day as a method of remembering being Catalan. This new tradition was recognized in the exact year with a statue being built in honor of the renowned Catalan icon Rafael Casanova. Regardless of being a celebration of defeat, instead of one of triumph, most Catalans these days use it to remember and appreciate the liberties they have, as their precursors didn’t have them.

History of the National Day of Catalonia

Since the center of the 17th century, Catalonia had been a republic under the assurance of France. The death of Charles II of Spain in 1700 triggered the War of the Spanish Succession in which an alliance of European countries wanted to stop France and Spain converging under Philip Anjou, who had been picked by Charles as his successor.

On September 11, 1714, the 14-month long attack of Barcelona, at last, concluded, when the forces of the Bourbon King Philip V of Spain defeated the Catalan soldiers who had been battling to help the Hapsburg dynasty.

The defeat implied the finish of the Principality of Catalonia and the apparent loss of freedom and liberty when the region was completely incorporated into Spain.

Surprisingly the La Diada holiday denotes a defeat instead of a triumph, yet denoting the day as a holiday is intended to represent the freedoms that were lost that day and to urge Catalans to oppose abuse.

La Diada holiday was first celebrated toward the finish of the 19th century, however, it was suppressed during General Franco’s standard from 1939, and was just reestablished as a public holiday in Catalonia in 1980 after the reclamation of the Autonomous Government of Catalonia on December 31st, 1979.

Its first Act was to declare September 11 as the National Day of Catalonia. La Diad was to be set apart as a special day that represented the painful memories of the loss of liberties that happened in 1714, the demeanor of protection from mistreatment, and the desire for recuperation. The National Day of Catalonia was an official public holiday for the first time on September 11, 1980.

Significance of the National Day of Catalonia

La Diada recognizes the fall of Barcelona in 1714 to French Bourbon forces during the War of the Spanish Succession. The city fell after an attack, and Bourbon rulers held influence in Catalonia for years and were not especially worried about Catalonians’ liberties.

Along these lines, the day is a recognition of an agonizing defeat and a call to never again leave liberty alone squashed in Catalonia. It is a call to oppose all oppression and never surrender trust that freedom can again be reestablished.

National Day of Catalonia events incorporates flower and wreath-laying ceremonies at different monuments devoted to Catalonia’s past heroes, exceptional meetings where the memory of Catalonian soldiers from the long-ago battle of Barcelona is resuscitated, and with a few, political fights. There are additionally extraordinary musical concerts, festive meals, parties with loved ones, and proud showing of the Catalonian flag.

Catalan nationalists will give recognition to the soldiers who died defending Barcelona during the attack. Showings on the side of independence for Catalonia are normal, alongside festivities celebrating traditional Catalan music and cooking.

Generally, when going to the Diada Barcelona, you are probably going to see busy roads loaded with individuals waving the senyeres (the flag of Catalonia) and estelades (a perceived flag of Catalan independence). Furthermore, there are numerous museums in the city that are required to keep hosting open house events.