Catalan Nationalism: Origins, Culture, and Politics

Catalan political nationalism emerged in the mid-nineteenth century, asserting the need for recognition of Catalonia's cultural and political identity, which they believed was lost in 1714 with the establishment of the Bourbon monarchy. This absolutist regime imposed political uniformity, leading to the suppression of Catalonia's self-governing institutions and the persecution of the Catalan language and traditions.

Factors Contributing to Catalan Political Nationalism

Several factors contributed to the rise of Catalan political nationalism:

Cultural Revival

The Catalan language was often dismissed as a peasant dialect, inferior to Spanish. However, the mid-nineteenth century witnessed a resurgence of Catalan, fueled by industrialization and cultural movements, both sophisticated and popular.

Literary Movements

These movements embraced Catalan as a literary language. Key aspects included:

• Romanticism: Advocated for independence and freedom, celebrating the liberty of peoples and national politics. It glorified medieval Catalan romances and myths.
• Renaixença (Renaissance): Began in 1833 with Charles Bonaventure Aribau's "Ode to the Motherland," published in the weekly "El Vapor." This marked the recovery of the Catalan language and its distinctive characteristics.

Joaquin Rubio i Ors was another prominent figure of the Renaixença, known for publishing poetry in Catalan in "El Diario de Barcelona." In 1859, a poetry contest was revived, with all entries required to be in Catalan. The figures of the Renaixença maintained connections with the University of Barcelona, integrating Catalan into the academic sphere.

Popular Culture Movement

Progressive individuals spearheaded this movement, with some participating in Catalan theater. The works of Frederic Soler, known as "Serefi Pitarra," at the Teatro Romea in Barcelona, were performed in Catalan. A character who spoke in Spanish was often included to appease Madrid's censors.

Coral Societies

Anselm Clave founded the "hearts Clave" choral groups, aiming to elevate the leisure activities of the working class. From May 1st, these songs were used in protests. "The Fraternity" was the first choral association in Spain that functioned as a mutual aid society.

Hiking

In 1890, the "Mountain Center of Catalonia" was established in Barcelona. The CEC organized excursions, highlighting Catalan cultural characteristics of the places they visited, emphasizing their knowledge of the territory.

Gatherings

Sardana dances and gatherings on Sundays provided opportunities for people to meet and converse.

Periodicals

Satirical weeklies such as "Campana de Gracia" and "Esquella de la Torratxa" played a significant role.