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# Catalan Absent in New Olympic Series Sparks Backlash
- URL: https://barna.news/catalan-absent-in-new-olympic-series/
- Published: 2026-11-04T20:26:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-04T20:37:04.000Z
- Description: A new Movistar Plus series on the 1992 Barcelona Olympics has drawn criticism for being filmed entirely in Spanish despite its Catalan setting and cast.
- Author: Barna.News News Desk
- Tags: culture

## Criticism Mounts Over Language Choice in 'Ceremonia'

On Wednesday 4th November 2026, backlash intensified against Movistar Plus’s upcoming series *Ceremonia*, a six-episode comedy about the preparations for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games opening ceremony, after the release of its first trailer showed all dialogue in Spanish. The production, created by Cristóbal Garrido and Adolfo Valor and starring Catalan actors David Verdaguer and Paula Malia, is set in Barcelona in 1991 and filmed at real locations including the Olympic Stadium, Picornell swimming pools and Barceloneta. Despite the Catalan setting, the cast speaks only Spanish in the trailer, prompting widespread criticism on social media. Users highlighted the historical inaccuracy, noting that Catalan was widely spoken in the city at the time. One user remarked that, judging by the language, it seemed like “Barcelona in 1951”, a reference to the Franco era when Catalan was suppressed.

## Public Figures Join Language Debate

Journalist Pep Antoni Roig criticised the decision, calling it another example of a Catalan story being filmed in Spanish despite local language norms. “It says 'Barcelona, 1991', but we are in Barcelona, 1941,” he said, underscoring the perceived cultural erasure. Others echoed the sentiment, with Pol Molina i Grífols asking, “Where is Catalan? Nowhere? Then it's a farce.” The controversy centres on linguistic verisimilitude and cultural representation. *Ceremonia* is produced by Movistar Plus in collaboration with Charlie Pisco Producciones and Kubik Films (Studio TF1), with filming currently underway in Barcelona.

## Series Set for 2027 Release

According to official announcements, *Ceremonia* will premiere in 2027\. The series follows a team of professionals tasked with creating the Olympic opening ceremony, blending comedy with historical homage. Adolfo Valor is directing three episodes, with Paco Caballero directing the other three.

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> “Reconstructing the history of Catalonia without Catalan,” one user posted, encapsulating the core of the backlash.

The cast also includes Andreu Buenafuente, Sílvia Abril, Àlex Brendemühl, Pau Durà, Marcel Borràs and Nao Albet. International sales are managed by Movistar Plus International.

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*Sources:* [*VilaWeb*](https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/per-lidioma-sembla-barcelona-1951-allau-de-critiques-per-labsencia-del-catala-en-una-serie-sobre-els-jjoo-del-1992/?ref=barna.news)*,* [*todotvnews.com*](https://todotvnews.com/charlie-pisco-y-kubik-films-se-alian-con-movistar-plus-para-producir-ceremonia/?ref=barna.news)*.*