Under an ancient Spanish unification process, all the various kingdoms or regions of modern day Spain came together to form one country - which is known today as Spain. Each of these regions has their own languages and cultures, traditions etc. So, is Spain one happy blend of people ? I don't think so.
There is a constant duel here in Barcelona. Barcelona is situated in a province called Catalunya. I have often noticed gatherings, street protests, people signing petitions etc - always expressing discontent with what is happening here in Catalunya. The local people think that Catalunya is suffering under Spanish administration and believe that if Catalunya was managed by a Catalan administration, things would be a lot better. Possibly yes, because the Catalans would have more power and resources to manage themselves.
Hundreds of years ago, Catalunya was one of the kingdoms in what is Spain today. There is a huge sense of nationalism here in Catalunya. The people do not want to be called Spanish. They prefer to be called Catalan. They speak their own language - Catalan. The sense of nationalism is ever present in the red and yellow Catalan flag which flies on most government buildings and many other places such as tourist attractions, and even the balconies of people's apartments. On local holidays the city buses sport Catalan flags. The flags fleet in the wind, displaying the sense of nationalism in Catalunya. There are so many holidays in this province that one cannot be caught unawares. You always see or hear the festivities. The holidays usually come with a display of local customs and culture - as well as fireworks and music!!
The Catalans apparently favour self governance and independence from Spain. They dislike the idea that Madrid is the seat of government. Madrid they think, is not the province which is the most economically productive. The Catalans believe that Catalunya contributes the most to the economy and therefore that they should have more influence in the way the country is governed and how money is spent - since Catalunya is contributing such a large portion of the money.
What do I think ? I think it is not going to be a fait accompli. I battle to see Catalunya becoming a stand alone country in the United States of Europe. I think it is too late for Catalunya to back out now...
There is a constant duel here in Barcelona. Barcelona is situated in a province called Catalunya. I have often noticed gatherings, street protests, people signing petitions etc - always expressing discontent with what is happening here in Catalunya. The local people think that Catalunya is suffering under Spanish administration and believe that if Catalunya was managed by a Catalan administration, things would be a lot better. Possibly yes, because the Catalans would have more power and resources to manage themselves.
Hundreds of years ago, Catalunya was one of the kingdoms in what is Spain today. There is a huge sense of nationalism here in Catalunya. The people do not want to be called Spanish. They prefer to be called Catalan. They speak their own language - Catalan. The sense of nationalism is ever present in the red and yellow Catalan flag which flies on most government buildings and many other places such as tourist attractions, and even the balconies of people's apartments. On local holidays the city buses sport Catalan flags. The flags fleet in the wind, displaying the sense of nationalism in Catalunya. There are so many holidays in this province that one cannot be caught unawares. You always see or hear the festivities. The holidays usually come with a display of local customs and culture - as well as fireworks and music!!
The Catalans apparently favour self governance and independence from Spain. They dislike the idea that Madrid is the seat of government. Madrid they think, is not the province which is the most economically productive. The Catalans believe that Catalunya contributes the most to the economy and therefore that they should have more influence in the way the country is governed and how money is spent - since Catalunya is contributing such a large portion of the money.
What do I think ? I think it is not going to be a fait accompli. I battle to see Catalunya becoming a stand alone country in the United States of Europe. I think it is too late for Catalunya to back out now...
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