A STRANGE DATE

by Guiny

I want to talk to you about a date, when I mention it many of you will say it is too sad to recall; but my point is that back in history it has other meaning maybe not as important as the most recent one in our time. September 11th.

It is so close to our memories that some may even feel as time stopped running after it. For some the saddest date of their life. For sure it marked the entire world and started a new era for the humanity. I will not talk more about September 11th 2001.

A different year a September 11th meant a big change to a country that we all know and has worked hard to recover from that period of their history. Some people could think was for good, other may feel was the worst. The only thing I know is that it took place on September 11th 1973. Do you recall? Chilean coup d’état; where many people died during that day and along during about 30 years lived under a strange estate system. But I don’t want to talk either about this date.

What date do I want to talk to you about? September 11th 1714, that is right I want to explain you a bit of history of the area of Spain where I live. As for centuries it has been a recalled and celebrated date.

Is a strange “celebration”, because is the date that official lost a battle that changed things in this area forever, to commemorate the liberties.
Spain was not yet a state just like we know it now. The area where I live is known as Catalonia and then it was independent from Castilla and the other regions. It was a member of the Aragon’s Crown, but each area Aragon and Catalonia had their own laws and governments; they shared the Royal family but nothing more.

Because of succession matters, because there was no “official ruler” a civil war began. Some were in favor of the possible “King Carlos” and others wanted the family of “Borbón” to rule all. Catalonia in general was looking after “King Carlos” to have the crown, while Castilla and many other regions wanted Felipe V de Borbón to be the only recognized king for everyone.

The city of Barcelona was surrounded by the troupes of Felipe V de Borbón. They resisted a lot, as they people of Barcelona thought that they had the possibility of wining and have the ruler they wanted.
Sadly on that September 11th the troupes of Felipe V de Borbón, were able to enter the city and conquer it for the King, the one who ruled at the end Felipe V de Borbón.

Catalonia, that day lost all its rights and liberties. Some of them have been reestablished although many others are part of the politics of today.

Can you imagine that one of the first rights lost, was that no house in Catalonia could have a knife? In case the family could prove they needed it for their survival, the knife had to be chained to a kitchen wall; of course there was nothing but chain. Imagine chains like those that an anchor of a big ship needs, which were the kind of chain holding the knife.

Now knifes are something usual, as any other place in the world.
The language of the area, the one that the people used day by day was forbidden. Along the years, many rules in Spain have used the same forbiddances. It is very similar to Spanish, but has some slight differences. Now days the language is being recovered little by little.

The actual Spanish Constitution recognizes there are 4 official languages in the country: Spanish, Gallego, Euzquera and Catalan. So here where I live, almost everyone is at least bilingual, if they are foreigners they know their language and also Spanish (maybe Catalan). In all the area of Catalonia, when you go shopping or just to take a walk you can hear people using with no trouble either of the languages.

So since 2002, here we have special moments for those who suffered during the attacks against the USA. In any case the celebrations done for centuries will take place as always, is a celebration to commemorate and asking every human being to respect the liberties of every person.

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