Protest halts far-right participation in Igualada festival lunch

Around 500 people gathered at the Rambla de Sant Isidre in Igualada on Saturday, 22 August 2026, to protest the presence of far-right political group Aliança Catalana at the 'Fes-ta el dinar' community event. The demonstration lasted approximately 90 minutes and led to the group's departure under police escort. The event, organised by youth collective Coll@nada and Casal Popular El Foment, is described as an autonomous, anti-racist and feminist space promoting diversity. Organisers stated they respectfully asked Aliança Catalana members to leave, citing incompatibility between the group's political positions and the values of the festival. Despite this, members of Aliança Catalana remained and began preparing a paella for their supporters. This prompted a larger, spontaneous gathering of counter-protesters holding banners reading 'Fora feixistes del Fes-ta el dinar' ('No fascists at Fes-ta el dinar') and 'Aliança Catalana no sou benvinguts' ('Aliança Catalana are not welcome').

The Fes-ta el dinar is a space we organise based on values of diversity and inclusion, which do not align with their discourse.

, Spokesperson for Coll@nada At one point during the standoff, a protester threw a packet of salt into the paella being cooked by the group, a moment that later went viral on social media. The incident caused brief tension but no injuries were reported.

We were participating in a public event and were pressured to leave solely because of our political views.

, Aliança Catalana member Mossos d'Esquadra and local police were deployed to maintain order and eventually escorted the group from the area. No arrests were made.

Separately, a restaurant from the Anoia region competed on the popular TV3 cooking show 'Joc de Cartes' this week, drawing attention to local culinary talent. The episode aired on Thursday 20 August as part of the weekly series showcasing Catalan chefs. The same evening, journalist Jordi Évole visited Vilanova del Camí, reportedly filming content for an upcoming documentary on rural life and community in inland Catalonia. No further details about the production have been released.

Reported by veuanoia.cat, ACN, Alessandro Elia, anoiadiari.cat, Anna Solé Sans, Alba Díaz, La Veu de l'Anoia.