Catalonia! (Catalunya)

Geography

Situated in the northeastern part of Spain, Catalonia accounts for 16% of the total mainland area covering 32,114km². It borders with France and Andorra in the north, Aragon in the west, the Community of Valencia in the south and has 580km of Mediterranean coastline in the east.  It has just over 7.2 million residents, of which an estimated 12.3% are immigrants. 

It’s capital city is Barcelona, famed at the moment for its football club amongst other things, and of course Gaudí, whose influence and designs can be found throughout the city accounting for no less than 4 of the 10 World Heritage Sites there are in Catalonia.

The origin of the name of Cataluña (Catalonia) is the source of some debate but it is widely thought to derive from “Land of Castles.  It is also possible that the name derives from an Iberian tribe called “Lacetani”, which then became Catalans as a result of Roman influence in the pronunciation.  I personally like the castles idea and there are certainly lots to be found.  

Climate

SCORCHIO!!!!  Hey – we’re in Spain, it’s what you’d expect, right?  Much information is available on other websites about the climate here and so I’m not going to re-invent the wheel.  Suffice to say temperatures reach 32° – 35°C in July and August and it can be very humid.  Makes for some excellent thunderstorms, though!  Spring and autumn are very pleasant and most of the rain falls during these times, however, we have suffered great water shortages with bans being imposed during the summer on hosepipes and topping up pools and fines being issued if you use more than the stipulated limit at home.   The average temperature in winter is 10°C, but it can get much colder than this and the humidity doesn’t help the washing get dry!  Snow has been known to come down from the mountains for a day trip to the seaside, the last time it graced the beaches was in the winter of 2006.  It even reached Mallorca, which was the first time the island had seen snow in more than 50 years.  

History

Catalonia first became an independent state in 989AD after being invaded by the Ancient Greeks, the Romans and the Moors and then falling under the rule of the Emperor and King of France.  The French didn’t officially relinquish its feudal lordship until 1258 when the Treaty of Corbeil was signed. 

During the next few centuries, however, Catalonia was largely on the losing side of a number of battles.  The feudal state was gradually eroded and replaced by the modern system of government and power became more centralized.  The most significant battle, called The War of the Spanish Succession, led to the fall of Barcelona on 11^th September 1714 and the beginning of centralized government.  Although a battle that Catalonia actually lost, the date is commemorated annually and is a Catalonian public holiday. 

During the 19^th century, Catalonia became the centre of Spain’s industry and still accounts for the majority contribution to Spain’s annual GDP.  During the 20^th century it received its first statute of autonomy during the Second Spanish Republic in 1931 but after the defeat of the Republic by Franco in 1939, public activities associated with Catalan nationalism were suppressed.  The use of the Catalan language in government run institutions, at public events and in the mass media was forbidden and was only permitted again in the theatre during the early 1950’s. 

The death of Franco in 1975 brought the use of the democratic Spanish constitution and Catalonia recovered political and cultural autonomy.  

The second statute of autonomy was adopted on 22^nd December 1979, celebrated at a local level annually with a public holiday, and whilst this is still current, many in Catalonia wish to be recognized as an independent nation from Spain.   

Language

Three languages are officially spoken in Catalonia, Catalan, Spanish and Aranese.  Under Franco, the use of Catalan was prohibited except for some allowed in the theatre during the 1950’s. 

From the 1970’s onwards, children could once again be given Catalan names and the language was resumed by the public, in education and by officialdom.  Now, as a result of a linguistic law passed in 1997 intended to encourage the use of Catalan, it is a legal requirement for all businesses to have their information in Catalan, like menus and posters, which explains why the poster I saw for the recent Sitges version of “Britain’s Got Talent” hosted by the Sitges English Theatre Club was in Catalan. 

The same obligation does not apply to Spanish, Aranese or other languages, although the local government authorities have all of their documentation available in Spanish but you have to ask for it, (as I learned after receiving and following a business plan guide in Catalan, only to discover after completing my plan that the info had been available in Spanish if I’d preferred). 

The linguistic law actually imposes fines if Catalan is not used.  In 2006, a new statute included Aranese (a dialect of Occitan) as the third official language of Catalonia.  It is only spoken in the Vall d’Aran (Aran Valley) by about 7000 inhabitants, although Occitan is also spoken in parts of France and Italy.

Culture

If there is a fiesta – and there is normally something at least once a month – then you are likely to experience one of two things, or both.  Castellers are human towers.  Teams compete against each other to build the tallest and young and old take part.  The other is fireworks.  We often joke among ourselves in Sitges in particular that with our own Sitgean pyrotechnician, we single-handedly contribute to the growth in China’s economy. 

Practically every fiesta constitutes an excuse for a firework display.  I have to say they are spectacular and the best ones in Sitges are to celebrate Fiesta Mayor in August and September, when there is also a procession, or “correfoc”, of giants and devils with firecrackers, also to be seen in other fiestas celebrated throughout Catalonia.  In Sitges we have a real fire-breathing dragon too as the firecrackers are attached to both its mouth and tail before being spun around.  Sparks literally fly everywhere and the whole event is not for the faint-hearted!  Catalonia’s fiestas are also celebrated with ”sardanas” or “moixigangas”, typical dances accompanied by drums and flutes, a little like clarinets.   

The Catalans are described as being more introvert than the people from other Spanish regions.  In my experience, they are less open and more difficult to get to know but are still passionate and animated, speak incredibly loud and gesticulate with gusto.  When I first moved here and understood nothing, my impression was that everyone was falling out with each other!  Whilst they speak frankly and directly, they are incredibly pleasant people, especially when you learn a bit of Spanish or Catalan and make an effort to communicate in their own language.   

Children are not just tolerated over here but are welcomed (even in restaurants after 9pm!) and treated with special care.  If you have a baby or small child, don’t be surprised if people cross the road to greet them and you. 

Attention is bestowed on both my children on a regular basis and they often receive well intentioned gifts of sweeties or biscuits.  Whilst I also have the warning of my parents and teachers of not accepting sweets from strangers etc ringing in my ears from my own childhood, I am personally much more at ease bringing my children up here.  Obviously crime exists, but in my opinion, Sitges is a good and safe place for your children to grow, where their childhood can be enjoyed without being overly fearful.

The kind of crime that I’ve experienced is petty theft:   Handbag, purse, mobile phone etc.  It’s worse during the summer months and rife in Barcelona.  BE VIGILANT and pay particular attention if you have children with you as you are more likely to be distracted.