Friday, July 25, 2014

Pyrenees Journal I: Homage to Catalonia




photograph by Hallie Cohen
There is square in the Gothic quarter of Barcelona named after George Orwell. Orwell famously fought in the Spanish Civil War and out of his experience wrote Homage to Catalonia. In November the Catalan people who occupy that part of Spain that is closest to the Pyrenees (Cerdanya is the name of a part of the Eastern Pyrenees that is shared by France and Spain) vote in a referendum on the subject of independence. Catalan is still a vital language that is spoken and taught in schools in Barcelona and Valencia where there are large Catalan populations. The desire for independence might be thought to emanate from the Spanish Civil War in which Catalonia supported the Loyalist cause and suffered reprisals during the years of Franco’s rule. But the provenance of Catalan nationalism is even deeper and might be said to go back as far as the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, in which, as a result of the Thirty Years War, Spain’s Phillip IV ceded parts of Catalonia to France. The town of Llivia remains today as an island of Catalan and Spanish culture in what is French territory and if you visit the Cergagne Museum--the Cal Mateu Farm, the restored estate of Francois Sicard, a French official appointed by Louis XIV, who governed in the area, you can further understand the roots of the region’s historical conflicts. Catalans are true irredentists to the extent that they want to return the integrity of civilization that existed before it was divided up by diplomats. So climbing toward Font- Romeu-Odiello-Via on the Eastern or Oriental Pyrenees as it’s called (which is also a route used by bikers training for the Tour de France) you will find Catalan graffiti on a wall below a French car wash called Le Lavage reading, “Som paisos Catalans” which translates “we are a Catalan country.”

1 comment:

  1. Maximum wash rag ideas: Fendi Nappa Wash rag, Teacher Legacy of music Wash rag, Teacher Carly Wash rag, Louis Vuitton Mahina, Louis Vuitton Epi Wash rag, Gucci Wash rag Hysteria, Burberry Old classic Assess & Chanel Old classic Medium sized Flap through Golden Chain. Reasons for tag heuer replica sale conditions met can be intrinsic and extrinsic stains as a result of tone to be directed accidentally as a result of wardrobe, beauty products, diet and even consume intrinsic and extrinsic stains and even pad tattoo symbolizes. It is easy to put on wash rag maintaining solution, conditioner and protectant to spot tracked in grime and even scuff marks, that is definitely moreover good to moisturizing chanel replica sale that wash rag in order that it feels clean. You exceptionally raved purifier is definitely the Iphone Wash rag Good care type of detergents which inturn is going to eradicate most intrinsic and extrinsic stains which includes potting soil, sauces, diet and even additional cooking oils as a result of wash rag. Or, any specific wash rag protectant enjoy Skull cap You Nano Protectant moreover works well. Atomizer an important lucrative degree into an important waterless, the white kind of pads and even move the application in the wash rag components from your backpack equally. Designed for dour tattoo symbolizes and even prada replica intrinsic and extrinsic stains at wash rag, implement customary Wok cookware medicated gasoline for instance the Axe Product Medicated Gasoline and scrubbing drink occuring at drugstores. It little-known tactic is utilized as a result of designer handbag browse assistants several Recognized Plastic bags designed for Not as much people also have provided with convenient advice going without shoes made natural treasures with regard to plastic bags.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.