11 September: Catalans to say ‘We’re ready for independence’

Castellers at last year’s demonstrations. Photo: Assemblea.cat

‘A punt’ (‘We’re ready’) will be the message that pro-independence Catalans send to the rest of the world on Sunday 11 September, the national day of Catalunya.

Demonstrations will be held in five different cities across Catalunya: Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, Berga and Salt. According to the latest figures, 300,00 people have so far signed up to take part.

The motto ‘A punt’ symbolises two things, according to the organisers, Omnium Cultural and the Assemblea Nacional Catalana, that Catalunya ‘is ready to achieve the republic’ and that the citizens have already reached ‘the final stage’ of the pro-independence process.

Programme for activities in Tarragona for 11 September

Citizens from Baix Ebre – which includes L’Ametlla, L’Ampolla and El Perelló – will travel to Tarragona to take part in a day of events, including entertainment for families and live music (see left and this article). Local Catalan independence groups are organising buses to the event (including El Perelló per Independencia.)

The peak of the day’s activities in all five locations will be at 5.14pm (1714 was the year that Catalunya finally lost its independence) when all the demonstrators come together in co-ordinated activities to make their call for independence.

Each city will represent a different aspect of the Catalan republic. Tarragona is networking and progress, Salt is solidarity and diversity, Berga is culture, Lleida is territorial balance and Barcelona is freedom.

World Catalan Week

Running up to 11 September, World Catalan Week is taking place. Activities, including debates, displays of castellers and film screenings, have been organised in Paris, London, Zurich, Rotterdam, New York, Madrid and Bilbao.

Local events

In El Perelló, there will be a giant paella at the Ermita. Tickets are on sale from the tourist office.

In L’Ampolla, there will be Catalan entertainments on the evening of 10 September and during the day on 11 September.

11 September El Perelló independence Tarragona