Floral Tribute Opens Catalonia's National Day
On Friday 11 September 2026, Catalonia marked its National Day, known as La Diada, with the traditional floral tribute at the monument to Rafael Casanova in central Barcelona. The ceremony, held at 9:00 a.m., opened a day of events celebrating Catalan identity, language, and self-government. The offering was led by the Bureau of the Parliament of Catalonia, headed by President Josep Rull. Rull laid flowers on behalf of the chamber, followed by representatives from the Catalan government, the Barcelona city council, and the Mossos d'Esquadra, the regional police force.
Rull Highlights Language and Exile Concerns
"Catalan is currently a language at risk, and the High Court of Justice has decided to put it even more at risk."
Rull used his remarks after the tribute to sound the alarm over the status of the Catalan language. He cited a recent ruling by the High Court of Justice of Catalonia that, in his view, restricts the full teaching of Catalan in schools, calling it a setback for linguistic rights. He urged firm action to defend the language. Rull also highlighted what he described as an ongoing "situation of abnormality" due to the exile of two members of Parliament: Carles Puigdemont and Lluís Puig. Both remain abroad to avoid arrest, unable to return to Catalonia without legal risk.
Leaders Affirm Shared Vision
Catalan President Salvador Illa opened the official acts by laying flowers at the monument, reaffirming the day as one of shared celebration and collective ambition. In a social media message, Illa said Diada is "a good day to share what we want to be and where we want Catalonia to go." Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni echoed this sentiment, describing Catalonia as an open, plural, and diverse society where all citizens can pursue their life projects. He called for unity and progress through coexistence. Later in the morning, the parliamentary Bureau attended a second floral tribute at the tomb of Rafael Casanova in Sant Boi de Llobregat, continuing the day’s commemorations.
The annual Diada commemorates the fall of Barcelona on 11 September 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession. Rafael Casanova, the city’s chief councilor at the time, became a symbol of resistance and national identity. The floral offering has become a central act of the day, drawing political, cultural, and civic leaders from across the spectrum.
Reported by lavanguardia.com, Parlament de Catalunya, catalannews.com, europapress.tv, abc.es, elnacional.cat, ultimahora.es, totbarcelona.cat, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com, elmundo.es, Lasvocesdelpueblo, CatalunyaPress.es, europapress.es, 20minutos.es, elliberal.cat, elperiodico.com, La Vanguardia Barcelona.
