On September 11th, Catalans celebrate the Diada Nacional de Catalunya, or La Diada, the National Day of Catalonia. It’s a holiday where Catalans take to the streets to demonstrate their desire for independence and their commitment to their own culture and traditions. Below you’ll find what to expect from this day and the program for this year’s Diada.
La Diada
Every year on September 11th, you’ll see the Catalan flag proudly flying from balconies, buses, and government buildings. In various parts of the city, demonstrations and concerts are also organized, where the Catalan national anthem, Els Segadors (The Reapers’ Song), is sung.
On the day of Catalan Nationality, Catalonia commemorates the loss of the Battle of Barcelona in 1714 during the War of Spanish Succession, which led to a period of repression for many Catalan institutions. In 1980, this day was declared the national holiday of Catalonia.
Whereas in the past this day celebrated Catalan nationality, nowadays it is used by some separatist organizations as a political tool for the independence struggle. The demonstrations on September 11th grow larger each year and attract more people, including those from outside Barcelona.
Consequently, the march on September 11th, la manifestació de l’11 de setembre, has become a major event with millions of protesters demonstrating for separation from Spain.
Program for La Diada 2022
If you’re in Barcelona on September 11th, be prepared for crowds during the demonstrations. If you wish, you can visit one of the many events related to this holiday to learn more about the Catalans and their struggle for independence. Below, you’ll find what’s happening in Barcelona during La Diada on September 11th.
Independence Demonstration
During La Diada in Barcelona, there is a large march with protesting Catalans who hope to one day become an independent region again.
Most protesters not only carry the Catalan flag and la estelada (the independence flag) but also buy the official shirt of the September 11th demonstration and participate in various actions to make the demonstration as spectacular as possible. The images in the media of the mass demonstrations in central Barcelona speak for themselves.
This year, the demonstration starts from Avinguda Paral·lel at 17:14 and passes along Passeig de Colom towards the França station, ending at Avinguda del Marquès de l’Argentera.
Official Events
It’s also a tradition for the Catalan government and the Catalan parliament to hold an institutional event on the evening of September 10th. Additionally, each neighborhood in Barcelona organizes its own tribute.
On September 11th, flowers are also laid at the statue of Rafael Casanova (Ronda de Sant Pere, 41) and at the Fossar de les Moreres (next to the basilica Santa Maria del Mar), accompanied by various speeches.
This year, on September 11th, a large celebration under the four towers of Puig i Cadalfach in Montjuïc is organized, focusing on the story, history, and culture of the Catalans. The spectacle begins at 22:00 and will be broadcast on TV (TV3).
Celebration for Independence
Many Catalans make a pilgrimage to Montserrat on September 11th, the spiritual heart of the region and an important guardian of Catalan language and culture during the dictatorship.
At Passeig Lluís Companys, there’s always a festival called Festa per la Llibertat where various Catalan music groups perform, alongside delicious food, a fair with Catalan entities, and political speeches. The Festa per la Llibertat starts at 10:00 in the morning and the concerts are from 18:30.
Separatist organizations such as the ANC, CDR, and Òmnium Cultural organize numerous political speeches and various activities on this day to raise public awareness of the steps that need to be taken to achieve independence.
👉 Read more about the independence issue and why many Catalans want to become independent.
Open Day
On September 11th, you can also visit various municipal buildings such as the Catalan Parliament (near Parc de la Ciutadella) and the Catalan government, the Palau de la Generalitat (near Plaça de Sant Jaume).
Museums like the MNAC art museum, the Museu d’Història de Catalunya history museum, the El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria cultural center, and the Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya archeological museum in Barcelona are also free to visit on September 11th.
Practical Information:
- What: Celebrating La Diada Nacional de Catalunya (the National Day of Catalonia)
- Where: Demonstration at Via Laietana Metro: Paral·lel (L2, L3), Barceloneta (L4), and Espanya (L1, L3, L8)
- When: Annually on September 11th Note: September 11th is a holiday; therefore, there is no school, people have the day off, and shops are closed. At certain times, there may also be extra congestion in public transport and some streets may be closed due to the demonstrations.
- For more info: https://www.barcelona.cat/en/living-in-bcn/diada
