Who Are the Catalans?
The Catalans are a people inhabiting Catalonia (Catalunya), an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, as well as Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Andorra, the French region of Roussillon, and the Italian city of Alghero. Approximately 10 million people speak Catalan, making it one of Europe's major regional languages. Catalans have maintained distinct identity within the Spanish state, with their own language, legal traditions (dating to medieval times), and cultural practices. The question of Catalan independence has become one of Europe's most contentious political issues.
Language and Literature
Catalan is a Romance language, closer to Occitan than to Spanish, with medieval literary traditions predating Castilian. The poet Ausiàs March and the novel Tirant lo Blanch represent high points of medieval Catalan literature. Suppressed under Franco's dictatorship (1939-1975), Catalan experienced dramatic revival after democratization. Today, it's the medium of Catalan education, government, and media. Barcelona hosts vibrant Catalan-language publishing. Language rights remain politically charged—some view Catalan dominance in education as discriminating against Spanish speakers, while Catalan nationalists see language as identity's foundation.
Independence Movement
Catalan nationalism grew from 19th-century cultural revival (the Renaixença). The Second Spanish Republic (1931-1939) granted autonomy, brutally crushed by Franco. Post-Franco Catalonia regained autonomy but tensions grew as the Spanish constitutional court struck down elements of a new autonomy statute in 2010. An unauthorized independence referendum in 2017 led to a declaration of independence, Spanish imposition of direct rule, and the imprisonment or exile of Catalan leaders. The question remains unresolved, with independence supporters and opponents deeply divided.
Castells: Human Towers
Castells (human towers) are Catalonia's most distinctive folk tradition—teams building towers up to ten levels high, crowned by a young child (enxaneta). Originating in the 18th century, castells were suppressed under Franco and revived dramatically since the 1980s. UNESCO recognized castells as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010. The practice embodies Catalan values of cooperation, courage, and community. Casteller groups (colles) from across Catalonia compete in seasonal events, with tower-building serving as both sport and cultural expression.
Catalan Countries
The concept of "Països Catalans" (Catalan Countries) refers to all territories where Catalan is spoken—Catalonia, Valencia, Balearics, parts of Aragon, Roussillon (France), and Alghero (Sardinia). This cultural-linguistic definition challenges state borders. While most Valencians and Balearic Islanders don't support political unification with Catalonia, cultural ties remain. The relationship between Catalan spoken in different regions, and whether they constitute one language or several, remains politically sensitive—with implications for identity, education, and recognition.
References
- McRoberts, K. (2001). Catalonia: Nation Building Without a State
- Conversi, D. (1997). The Basques, the Catalans and Spain
- Hargreaves, J. (2000). Freedom for Catalonia? Catalan Nationalism, Spanish Identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games