The 2024 Diada is now history. Its doors closed tonight with the institutional event, organised by the Generalitat, in which it sought to portray a Catalonia that was “inclusive, supportive of everyone, respectful and tolerant”, a celebration that had been designed by Pere Aragonès’ team, but has been maintained by Salvador Illa’s team.
With the columns of Puig i Cadafalch as a backdrop and with the title “Many hearts, one heartbeat”, the theme of the event was to portray Catalonia as “a welcoming country”, as well as to claim the “richness of diversity” as well as total opposition to hate speech and fascism.
The event was attended by the president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa; the president of the Parliament, Josep Rull; the mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni; former presidents Pere Aragonès and José Montilla; the vice president of the Parliament Raquel Sans; the leader of Comuns in the Parliament, Jéssica Albiach; as well as the president of the Congress, Francina Armengol, who was received this afternoon by Illa at the Palau de la Generalitat.
The event was attended, via video, by personalities from Catalan society such as FC Barcelona footballers Lamine Yamal and Aitana Bonmatí, doctor Antoni Trilla, journalist Mari Pau Huguet and writer Màrius Serra, who publicly showed what Catalonia and being Catalan represent for them.
“It’s a city, a flag, colours that unite us,” said the young star of the Barça men’s team, while Bonmatí, the latest winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or, said: “Wearing a shirt with pride, knowing who and what you represent.”
The event featured musical performances by Glaucs, Marala, Mama Dousha, Àngels Gonyalons and Carlos Gramaje, Companyia Elèctrica Dharma, Lluís, Marina Rossell and Rozalén.
Poetry and literature were also present, with tributes to prominent authors whose anniversaries are being celebrated this year, such as Vicent Andrés Estellés, Àngel Guimerà and Montserrat Vayreda. Catalan popular festivals also had their place, with a correfoc and circus performances.
The event concluded with the Escolania de Montserrat and the Bages and l’Anoia choirs, who were in charge of performing the “Els Segadors” anthem.