Sant Jordi per la Llengua, a pro-Catalan language platform, has called for a major demonstration in Barcelona on 23 April. The protest, starting at 19:00 in Plaça de la Universitat, aims to highlight the decline of Catalan and demand structural changes to the region's economic model. This year marks the second consecutive year the platform organises a public rally on Sant Jordi, a day traditionally celebrating books, roses, and Catalan culture.
The central demonstration will take place in Plaça de la Universitat, a prominent square in central Barcelona. Additionally, similar mobilisations are planned across Catalonia. Protests will occur in Girona at 19:00 outside Correus, in Reus at 19:00 on Carrer de Salvador Espriu, and in Manresa at 19:00 in Plaça de Neus Català. Further gatherings are scheduled for 19:30 in Tortosa at Plaça del Carrilet and in Igualada at Plaça de Cal Font.
Addressing Catalan's Decline
Adrià Font, a spokesperson for Sant Jordi per la Llengua, highlighted the initiative's success. "Repeating the Sant Jordi per la Llengua stems very much from last year's success," Font stated. He added that participating entities, unions, and organisations positively evaluated the initiative, making its continuation logical. The expansion to more cities this year reflects a growing desire across Catalonia to participate.
Núria Alcaraz, another spokesperson, noted the widespread nature of the linguistic decline. "Catalan is also declining in areas where it previously seemed to enjoy good health," Alcaraz explained. She challenged the perception that the language only faces challenges in Barcelona. The Linguistic Usage Survey indicates a substantial decrease in Catalan speakers in areas like Terres de l'Ebre, Ponent, and the Pyrenees, regions that once boasted over 90% Catalan speakers.
Economic Model and Language Use
The platform argues that Catalonia's current economic model directly contributes to the minoritisation of Catalan. This model, they contend, relies heavily on "tourist monoculture, real estate speculation, and an agro-industry that destroys the territory." Alcaraz criticised Barcelona's international promotion, describing it as a "global city and, therefore, Spanish, denationalised." This approach, she suggests, attracts people unaware of the existing Catalan language.
Font further elaborated on the impact of gentrification. "Rooted residents are expelled by international investment funds that divide flats and convert them into seasonal rentals," Font explained. He noted that this "floating population" often has no interest in learning the language or connecting with the neighbourhood. This aggressive model has direct consequences on linguistic usage, particularly evident in areas like Gràcia, a vibrant Barcelona district, where many businesses cater primarily to expatriates.
Challenging Sant Jordi's Depoliticisation
Sant Jordi per la Llengua also pushes back against calls to "depoliticise" Sant Jordi. Alcaraz referenced recent comments by author Eduardo Mendoza, who suggested renaming it "Book Day." She reminded readers that the Sant Jordi celebration originated during the Renaixença, a 19th-century Catalan cultural revival, specifically to promote Catalan language and culture. Alcaraz observed a recent trend to downplay the Catalan literary and patriotic aspects of the day.
Font added historical context, noting Sant Jordi has been Catalonia's patron saint since the 15th century. He pointed out that the "Book Day" concept emerged during the Primo de Rivera dictatorship, a period when authorities prohibited Catalan-language cultural events like the Jocs Florals. Font asserted that the underlying motive behind such declarations is a "Spanish nationalist project to denationalise everything that is not Castilian-based." He stressed that protecting minoritised languages is a human rights issue, not solely an identity one.
Employer Responsibility and Public Services
The spokespersons emphasised the need for structural changes, particularly regarding employer responsibility and public services. Font highlighted the importance of linguistic rights in daily life. "Going to the doctor and not being understood when you speak your language is not an identity issue, but one of rights and dignity," he stated. Public administrations, including police, medical services, and civic centres, must guarantee citizens can exercise their linguistic rights.
Alcaraz pointed out that discrimination based on language use is currently the most frequent type of discrimination in Catalonia. She argued against a "hierarchy of oppressions," stating that denying one's identity, as happens with language, is as significant as other forms of discrimination. "It is necessary to normalise that work is a place to learn Catalan," Alcaraz affirmed, advocating for employer-funded language training, especially for public-facing roles.
Immigration and Linguistic Integration
Sant Jordi per la Llengua also addresses the role of immigration in language use, rejecting narratives that blame newcomers for Catalan's decline. Alcaraz criticised the far-right for "pointing to immigrants as the culprits for the decline of the language." She argued that the real solution involves making Catalan "useful for living in the Catalan Countries" and creating conditions for people to learn it. This includes ensuring dignified, regularised jobs, as struggling with housing or working long hours makes language learning impossible.
Font urged avoiding a "catastrophic discourse" about lacking tools or statehood. "Perhaps we do not have a state, but we do have tools: they are called civil society, school, associations, community centres and athenaeums, cooperativism, popular culture," he declared. He stressed that with new regularisation processes, many individuals gain rights, and understanding the language is a key part of this integration. The platform believes the focus should be on ensuring those already in Catalonia learn the language, rather than blaming new arrivals or previous generations of immigrants.
The Path Forward for Catalan
The platform has a list of demands targeting the Generalitat, local councils, unions, and civil society. Alcaraz acknowledged that some measures might face legal challenges from Spanish courts. She stated, "Any person with linguistic awareness must be an independentist," but also noted that past independentist governments have done little for the language. She stressed the urgency of acting now, as "without language, there is no country, and therefore, no independentist project."
Font highlighted Catalonia's significant autonomous administration and budget, which allow for many measures despite not being a state. He contrasted the increase in Mossos d'Esquadra officers with the lack of linguistic planners. Font also suggested reviewing and updating the 1998 Catalan language policy law and ensuring the National Pact for the Language is fulfilled. The platform advocates for better enforcement and resources, including rethinking language immersion in schools, to ensure the future vitality of Catalan.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
