Catalonia marks first post-Franco Diada
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In Sant Boi de Llobregat, Spain, President Salvador Illa and other leaders commemorated the 50th anniversary of a significant Diada, Catalonia’s national day, that took place shortly after the death of dictator Francisco Franco.
The 1976 event drew tens of thousands of people and represented one of the first large public displays of Catalan identity following decades of repression. Illa spoke at the commemoration, emphasizing the fragility of democracy and warning that hard-won freedoms are not guaranteed.
He urged citizens not to take their gains for granted, stating that rights and liberties require constant effort to maintain. Miquel Roca, a speaker at the original 1976 Diada, called for unity and respect for diversity in the ongoing effort to preserve freedom. He asserted that Catalonia needs the contributions of all its people. Lluïsa Moret, the mayor of Sant Boi de Llobregat, explained that the city became a focal point for Catalan aspirations after the dictatorship.
Organisers originally planned the 1976 event for Barcelona’s Ciutadella park, but the Civil Government moved it to Sant Boi de Llobregat, anticipating a large turnout. The speakers all stressed the importance of remembering the past to safeguard democratic values for the future.
