Who am I?

A Pole who has lived in Catalonia for three and a half years. Or perhaps I should say polaca, because most citizens call me like this, both Spanish and Catalan. And I want to be and would be proud to be Polish, like French or English. I´m tired of repeating to everybody that I am not a polaca, but a Pole, but I have to say polaca to mention a small detail of my origin. I am a linguist and a project manager fascinated by Catalan language and culture, a fairly normal human being. Perhaps the other inhabitants of Catalonia would see me differently when they knew that just after three years of living here I got what many people who live here do not have: the Catalan language certificate, level C. In my free time I write articles about my experiences here, about politics and the Catalan case. I like to share reports about this country. It has suffered greatly throughout its history, but this does not justify that it is still a place where sometimes things that happen are so strange that it is hard to believe. But it is also an incredible nation, with a sophisticated culture and many noble people.

I do not take possession of the right to be infallible: I'm wrong like everyone else.

Anita Janczak

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From Terrorism to Fraud

It is of vital importance that the Government of Catalonia calls a Parliamentary session in order to solemnly declare Catalonia’s political rupture with the highly discredited ‘Spanish Empire’, adhere to the International Law –there is Life outside the ‘constitution’- and set a date for immediate elections to take place, so that the people of Catalonia can finally vote for their Independence with a formal request abroad, to ensure that the world keeps a watchful eye over the whole process. 

In the meantime, our political representatives should assign a prestigious panel of judges who, alongside the process, present before the Tribunal of The Hague a report against the Spanish State for GENOCIDE! Long overdue war compensations should be claimed from: Spain, Germany and Italy. And, at the same time, demand a new Nuremberg to judge the only existing regime which, to this day and in the hands of the Nazis and the assassin General Franco, no-one has yet condemned! 

Once all the cards are on the table, Catalans will cease to feel ridiculed and the ‘hidalgos (Spanish nobles), despots, inquisitors, villains and informers’ from the ‘Imperial Castille’ – the only remaining dregs of their rotten ‘empire’- will once and for all cease to ‘dance mockingly’ in front of us! 

Do I hear you say that things should not be done like this? Do I hear you say that this is not the way to solve things? Do I hear you say we need to maintain certain decorum? And who, then, will talk of substance? One thing is to avoid confrontations with colonizers, whether they appear dressed in civilian clothes or in uniform, and another very different thing is to trivialize the Independence of Catalonia!! It is not a matter of taking us all out to ‘pasture’ every September 11th. What we really need is to have politicians with character, capable of making decisions and able to defend our dignity. The tendency to make a pact, establish a dialogue, reach an understanding or an agreement with the ‘empire’ who, throughout history and at the present time, treats our country as a colony, is only accepted by politicians like Cambo and his ‘political descendants’. And here we must ask ourselves: when facing the truth, where were the ‘fathers’ of the present style of politics they so much praise? 

They were obviously occupying the Francoist ranks, providing funds for the ‘Empire’s national cause for God and for the indivisible and indissoluble unity of Spain’. It is understood, of course, that here there is only one country: Theirs! The rest are just provinces: ‘Conquered land!. 

Furthermore, when that nazi died many of us, willingly or not, swallowed the new idea that we were being driven towards a democracy! Some of us asked ourselves: how could we build a democratic society by following the will of a dictator who shoved down our throats the idea of a monarchy without ever taking it to the ballot box? Now, however, many of us have finally uncovered the farce. 

Meanwhile our politicians still intend to persuade us that we can still negotiate, establish a dialogue and reach an agreement with a people who are yet to condemn the old regime! If they are not willing to repent, how are they going to change their peculiar vision of the imperial Spain? What can we negotiate with people who are proud of their ‘crusade’? When the dictator died, they successfully persuaded us that our executioners had changed; now, however, after thirty-five years of scandals, pedagogies and mockeries, do they really think they can still cajole us? Do they take us for fools? Will the new negotiations be carried out in the same style of servitude like the one that has so far driven us to complete failure? Isn’t it the case that when one fails one tries to rectify the old mistakes? With the succulent salaries they receive and yet they still haven’t been able to shrug off the look of the butler who is proud to serve in a good home? They talk as if they are afraid to open their mouths and thus offend their master. They look like puppets pulled by strings. How was Jesus able to bring down an empire in a world without loudspeakers? 

Just as observed by Carles M.Espinalt in his book ‘The Written Work’ when citing Demostenes: ‘It is not possible to make a powerful speech without a firm intention of throwing a tirade’ Since they are so obsessed with maintaining their social standing, why don’t they learn to speak in public! Telling the truth through big loudspeakers requires standing! Lowering the voice so that the audience won’t hear you is a form adopted only by slaves! 

Therefore, insisting on maintaining one’s standing while, at the same time, offering an open hand, as Mr.Artur Mas said he would do shortly after the parody displayed in the Congress of the Spanish Empire, is an attitude particular of a slave! 

The depth of his talk, if it had any, evaporated in an instant. Or is it perhaps that they do not remember the shooting of people such as Carrasco Formiguera, Ildefons Sunyol or none other than our very own President Lluis Companys? Have they also forgotten that the Spanish language was enforced in our land with spilt blood? 

Is it up to these state terrorists who govern the ‘Empire’ by means of putrefied laws and who protect a corrupted monarchy as well as the will of a bloodthirsty nazi under the umbrella of their ‘sacrosanct constitution’ to legalize a collective survey (not through elections) for the Catalans? With whose moral authority? Have our politicians not understood the command given by the People of Catalonia? Have they not realised that we are offering them the opportunity to redeem themselves for all their wrongdoings? 

Brief: if we Catalans tolerate our political representatives to disgrace themselves in such a way it is only because we have neither shame nor dignity. Our plea aims to neither seek economical retribution, nor any bureaucratic nature, nor are we requesting any kind of protection. We are demanding JUSTICE! In short, when the existing laws are inspired by war criminals, these are not changed or agreed or even re-interpreted; instead, they are opposed! POLITICAL RUPTURE NOW!.

Encarna Parreno

Disciple of Prof. Carles M.Espinalt 

Psychoesthetics

* Translated by Josepa Gomis

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Catalonia is beting for Freedom and Democracy

All human beings and nations deserve freedom and must be free in to be considered as such. Everybody, including Catalans, of course, knows that. But most Catalans, if not all of us, are also fully aware that our current drive for freedom and democracy is not in the least aimed against the Spanish people in general nor against the Spanish language, culture or way of being. That would be a tremendously unfair mistake. We, Catalans, know this as well. So let us insist, once more, on this matter—a worthy enterprise. Let us explain the true reasons for why we, as a people, are betting on self determination. Why so many Catalans today want to have an independent state? Why should we be as independent and free as all the other nations in the world today?

Well, the reasons have to do first of all with the traditionally unfair treatment that we Catalans get from the Spanish state, and it also has to do with our own dignity as an old, distinct nation. They have to do especially with an obviously obsolete centric vision of the state developed by the political and economic Spanish elites, which have always managed to control it and are, therefore, absolutely opposed to the linguistic, cultural and national diversity which is still present within Spain. And they have everything to do, finally, with the prolonged fatigue and profound deception caused by countless decades of constant political, economic, linguistic, and cultural conflicts between Spain and Catalonia. These are the true motivations that really explain why so many want to recover their own sovereignty.

Yes, that is why a large majority of Catalans—even among those whose parents came from other parts in Spain—are now completely convinced that there is no need for Catalonia to maintain a political bond and relationship which is so unsatisfactory, humiliating and deeply frustrating. All the more when the political maturity and educational development of the Catalan society make it possible to have an independent state in which Catalonia’s national and cultural personality will be allowed and preserved, as well as its economic and social welfare.

But the “Catalan problem,” as they call this in Madrid, does also unveil and underline the malfunctioning of the Spanish state, whose serious symptoms (stiff constitution, degraded monarchy, conditioned judiciary power, including the Constitutional Court, main political parties undermined by corruption scandals, politically biased media, and outrageously high unemployment rate) have recently become much more evident. Surprisingly enough, though, only a few signs of support from Spain have come so far to show us some understanding from those who are still supposed to be our fellow citizens. It is especially significant the deafening silence we hear from Spanish thinkers and intellectuals. Where on Earth are they? Do they not have anything to say? The debate is only taking place seriously in Catalonia, and the only thoughts we can hear coming from Madrid are most arrogant disqualifications or just some kind of repetitive legalist litany. Not even one single argument, not a single calm reasonable thought at all. The unionist flimsiness is really quite alarming.

Despite all this, we are not alone. We must thank, for instance, all deputies of Izquierda Unida, because they have never voted in Congress against our right to self determination. Furthermore, the majority of the delegates present at the last IU conference, held in Madrid last January, voted against submitting the Catalan referendum for the Spanish government approval. There have been also several honorable individuals, such as filmmaker David Trueba, and famous journalist Iñaki Gabilondo, who certainly did show some love for us Catalans in public. Even some notorious constitutionalists and law experts did so. To all of them, among other Spanish friends, we kindly say thank you so much.

Joan Torres Nalda

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Catalans going abroad

When you go out of Catalonia to travel around the world, it is easy to realize that most of the people you find in your way have not the slightest idea of the name of your country. Well, thankfully the ignorance of some people justifies many things, some do not either know about Croatia, Kosovo or Lithuania... For Catalans when we travel and somebody asks us “where do you come from?”, we found ourselves in front of several options, unfortunately. One of the options is to say you come from Barcelona, it does not matter you live in Tortosa or Manresa, even if you live in the Pyrenees, it does not matter, the brand of Barcelona sells. Not sure it is for FC Barça, for Gaudí or for the city itself... And indeed it sometimes turns out to be the best option to help your ignorant audience identify Barcelona citizens as different than the Spanish to start with.

The second option is to be persistent and insist that Catalonia is a nation, with a milenary culture, a language, a gastronomy... but when you get to the geographical points, and mention the Mediterranean and Barcelona, you go again to the first option, along with all the touristic spots like Lloret de Mar, Blanes or Sitges. The third option is to say you are Spanish, but of course, this one does not work for those who believe that Catalonia deserves to be a state too as well as the international recognition as a nation of this planet. Nevertheless, in the very first conversation with any new stranger around the world, we Catalans are inevitably obliged to take political position about the current situation of our country. Though for those who believe Catalonia should be free and independent, it is also the best oportunity to create some awareness about Catalan identity around the globe.

I admit that some years ago, when I worked from Barcelona but travelled mostly for business, I used Barcelona branding on the first place a lot. I must confess I still use it in front of analfabetized absolutists or in potenially conflictive professional encounters (like for example, a visit to clients in Madrid). But for over 4 years I decided to be determined in explaining the whole thing to each single individual, also because it bugs me to be called Spanish all the time... Here is an example of what I must explain to those who are completely ignorants most of the times:

-Where are you from?

-I'm from Catalonia; 

-Hmm, Catalonia? Where is that? 

-In Europe, by the Mediterranean, like Italy, but on the other side...

-Oh, really? I don't recall I have heard of it, where is it exactly? 

-It's between France, Spain and the Mediterranean... do you know the city of Barcelona?

-Oh yes, I love Barcelona!

-Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, my country.

-Oh, I did not know it was a country, I though it was Spain!

-Oh, no, it's not. Barcelona is not in Spain, but in Catalonia.

-You mean Catalonia is a region of Spain?

-Well, no, I mean Catalonia is a nation but not a state, like the Scottish with the United Kingdom.

-I had no idea of such thing hapening in Spain; so you do not have a Spanish passport?

-Well, yes, actually my country is not allowed to have passports for our people, so we have no choice but to use the Spanish one if we want to travel. 

-So you have a Spanish passport but you are not Spanish?

-Exactly, but we will have Catalan passport soon because we are voting for having our own state this year. We are to have a referendum 9th of November to decide if we want to be an independent state and there is a high chance yes wins.

-What? Well I'm sorry to tell you, but until you win, you all are Spanish. Furthermore, I have been in Barcelona, and the food was Spanish tapas everywhere... 

-Well, that is the food for tourists, in Catalonia we have an impressive gastronomy the size an importance of the French or Italian cuisines; some of the best chefs in the world are Catalan, do you know Ferran Adrià?

-No, I'm sorry, but I know Gaudí...

-Gaudí was an architect and a visionaire, not a chef, and you must know Gaudí was Catalan not Spanish.

-But what is the difference right now?

-There is a huge difference. It is not a state that defines a person's nationality. I am Catalan, that is my nationality. I have a Spanish passport because I am not allowed to have a Catalan one, which is unfair. Palestine is a nation but inside the state of Israel, and nobody dares to call them Israelís, right?

Such conversation can go on until the person you are talking to comes to terms of understanding and agrees not to call you Spanish anymore. Yet they will be tempted to tease you by calling you Spanish now and then, just because they know you do not like it. You will need to be patient and follow four simple tips if as a Catalan you feel in need to defend your true nationality: 

1.Give examples of other nations without state or states without nation in the current times. Recalling the difference between nation a state is essential. 

2.Then identity: Gaudí, el Barça, the culture and geography and gastronomy, do not forget to mention some internationally known Catalan personalities.

3.Later, history: explain how we fell into Spanish domination and plundering for 300 years. If necessary, recall Franco and that nobody in the world has judged in an international court the war criminals for facism in Spain, while the world did so with the nazis in Germany.

4.And for the last, the future: we want a new country in a new state through a democratic process, we want freedom!

Cooperating with this blog by translating, adapting and writing articles in English is hopefully a good way to explain many other people of other countries what is really going on in Catalonia, condemn all Spanish abuses publicly and obtain support from all those people living in the world that believe in democracy and human rights.

Help Catalonia!

Deborah Jusmet, Netherlands

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Spain, leave us to make our own way : we have every right in the world

My name is Rita Bocca, I was born on the 25th of November 1967 in San Sebastiano Po, a town in the province of Turin (Italy) where I studied for a degree in political science. At 25 I moved to Castelldefels in Catalonia, where thanks to my languages (Italian, French, Catalan and Spanish) 'so far' it has not been hard to find work. I have now been living in Calafell for 10 years.

Since July 2013 I have been collaborating with www.helpcatalonia.cat (doing translations of articles from Catalan/Spanish to Italian, all of them about what is happening in Catalonia). In October 2013 I became a full member of the ANC and have collaborated with 'translators for independence.' In December 2013 I took over as regional treasurer for the ANC campaign 'sign a vote'.

Whilst living in Italy, I hardly knew that Catalonia or Catalan existed. I remember, in 1993, watching TV and not even knowing if it was in Catalan or Spanish, as I did not know either of those languages at the time. I have a special interest in languages and, amongst other things, I have obtained the DELE ( Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language ) and C-level Catalan .

Only a couple of years ago I said 'enough is enough'. I was fed up that I was seeing all kinds of news about the relationship between Catalonia and Spain, which to me, was just not convincing . My husband (a catalan from Perpignan in Northern Catalonia) always said that Catalonia is the last colony of Spain and I thought, 'What an exaggeration! What makes you say that? It can not be.' But yes, last summer I read 'Delenda Est Hispania' by Albert Bridge and I could not believe it. I could not believe how a country like Spain, which is defined as a democracy could lie to us even in history books. The history that you learn in Catalonia is not the same as that taught in rest of Spain. Obviously, ours is not 'objective', in the opinion of Spain.

When I heard that the Catalan language was banned, not 100 years ago, but much less, I thought this is too much. Knowing another language enriches you and also helps you learn more languages.... ! So say the experts and I can speak from experience .

But language is not the only thing that made me want to be an 'independentista'. I am an animal lover and I can not feel part of a country where there are tortures such as the 'Bullfights'. To those who say it is part of history and culture, I always say that in that case, why do the Italians not continue to have fights between gladiators, or between men and lions or tigers? Isn't that history and culture, too? I think, fortunately, countries evolve, or should evolve!

To conclude , I think it has become clear that I decided to give a helping hand to translate articles into Italian for Help in Catalonia because I want the people of my country to know what is happening here.

Why is Catalonia so important to me? Why do I want to do whatever I can to help Catalonia to be an independent and democratic state, as the people ask, because Catalonia is much more than my host country, I feel at home here and I want to fight because, for me, everyone has at least the right, to the power to decide to return to the State it once was. In my mind I can not understand why they don't want to let us decide. Is this democracy? I ask nothing more than that they set us free, we are mature enough to go it alone.

For me, Catalonia is a wonderful country, not only for the mountains or the sea, but because there are exceptional people. For example, I was operated on for skin cancer at the Hospital de Bellvitge and I assure you that I found wonderful people and professionals with whom I never felt that I was just a number, and that is priceless and I will appreciate that for the rest of my life .

Catalonia I love you! Long live Free Catalonia!

Rita Bocca

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We need to make the world understand

I am Catalan, I have lived in England for 25 years and I am a volunteer for Help Catalonia. My work consists of translating into English and editing articles that have been translated from Catalan or Spanish into English so they are ready for publication and broadcasting internationally.

Help Catalonia tries to explain the situation of Catalonia to the world.

I think that the countries that form the international community have a concept of Spain which is often based on their own democratic principles. It is believed that Spain is a state that respects its nations within -but it never has. When Spain started –at least in name– its democracy in 1978, the people of Catalonia cherished the hope that the democratic process would eventually lead to a real recognition of the Catalan nation within Spain, but unfortunately that has never been the case. Spain, underpinned by its "national psyche" is still insisting and hoping that Catalonia and the other nations within Spain just manifest the Castilian culture with the addition of some regional peculiarities which are to be condescendingly tolerated (having tantrums, growling and mocking when it's disobeyed). Spain continues to be synonymous with "Castille" in most respects, and is a country ruled by a self-interested paternalistic oligarchic caste and a Lerrouxist state that is intolerant towards plurinationality. In the case of Catalonia, Spain has tried and is still trying to wipe out, or at any rate limit, its identity and culture, and has done and carries on doing everything possible to keep it subjugated. Spain has always defined Catalonia as a "problem" for having its own identity.

Current polls show that over 80% of Catalans wish to vote for self-determination, but Spain –a supposedly democratic country which signed the UN treaty– forbids it, claiming that this right is not an option in the Spanish Constitution; a constitution that was drafted in 1978 by the military, among others, and which confirmed the establishment of a monarchy headed by a king that had been chosen by the dictator Franco himself. Also, especially in recent years, Spain has launched a dirty war to discredit the Government of Catalonia and manipulate the public by means of the sinister Centro Nacional de Inteligencia. Together with a corrupt and biased media it works to confuse, frighten and divide us, all with the aim of making us forsake our aspirations for independence.

In many ways, the volunteers of Help Catalonia work hard to report to the world how Spain is actually operating and how this is affecting Catalonia. Hopefully when the time comes and we vote for the independence of Catalonia and Spain wants to crush us and repress us (yet again) for wishing to express our democratic right, there will be countries that have understood our cause, and therefore will support and help us safeguard our right to self determination.

Francesc Xavier Canals

@frantasticfx

Catalan version

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