ASSESSMENTS

Catalonia's Desire for Self-Determination: A Visual Anthology

Oct 1, 2017 | 13:14 GMT

A Catalan correfoc, or "fire run," is held as part of a pro-independence demonstration on Sept. 10 in Vilafranca del Penedes, Spain.

A Catalan correfoc, or "fire run," is held as part of a pro-independence demonstration on Sept. 10 in Vilafranca del Penedes, Spain.

(DAVID RAMOS/Getty Images)

Editor's Note

Catalonia has repeatedly made the news in recent years because of the strength of its independence movement. While the region has been part of Spain for five centuries, many Catalans feel that they have a separate identity and culture. During the Franco-Spanish War in the mid-17th century, the region revolted against Spanish rule and briefly became a republic under French protection. After the War of the Spanish Succession from 1701 to 1714, centralizing policies by the Bourbon monarchs led to the abolishing of several Catalan institutions and laws. The years preceding the Spanish Civil War were similarly tumultuous for Catalonia: A Catalan republic within the Iberian Federation was proclaimed in 1931, followed by a Catalan state within the Spanish Federal Republic in 1934. During Francisco Franco's dictatorship (1939-1975), linguistic and political restrictions were imposed in the region. After Franco's death, Catalonia became an autonomous community with a large degree of self-government.

This complex history hasn't prevented Catalonia from becoming one of the wealthiest regions in Europe. Catalonia is highly industrialized with a large services sector and vibrant banking and tourism activities. Catalonia's capital, Barcelona, is one of the most culturally and economically dynamic cities on the Continent. In recent years, however, the combination of Spain's economic crisis, the rise of anti-establishment sentiments and the partial suspension of Catalonia's Statute of Autonomy by the Spanish Supreme Court has led to a new wave of demands for a separate homeland. Catalans will now vote in an independence referendum scheduled for Oct. 1. The Spanish government has already declared the referendum illegal, and it is doing what it can to block or disrupt the vote. And as Catalonia forges ahead in spite of the obstacles before it, the region's push for self-determination recalls recent independence movements in other corners of the world, from Iraqi Kurdistan to Quebec.

As Catalonia forges ahead with its referendum in spite of the obstacles before it, the region's push for self-determination recalls recent independence movements in other corners of the world, from Iraqi Kurdistan to Quebec....

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