Torchlight Processions and Institutional Acts Underway

Residents across La Selva and Alt Maresme are preparing for Catalan National Day on Friday, 11 September 2026, with a series of traditional and institutional events. Torchlight marches began Thursday evening in towns including Calella, Blanes, Tossa de Mar, and Santa Coloma de Farners, setting the tone for the official commemorations. In Calella, the night-time march was followed by Friday’s institutional act, featuring a floral offering at the Rafael Casanova monument and performances of popular culture. Similarly, Blanes launched its Diada celebrations with a torch procession on Thursday, leading into Friday’s full programme of events.

Local Traditions Mark the Day

Tossa de Mar hosted its torch descent from the Vila Vella church on Thursday at 9:30 PM, organised by Òmnium Cultural and accompanied by the municipal music school’s percussion group. The event concluded with the reading of a manifesto and a collective singing of "El Cant dels Segadors". On Friday, a solidarity gathering took place at Terra Negra with neighbouring municipalities Llagostera, Caldes de Malavella, and Vidreres, followed by a floral tribute at the municipal cemetery at 1 PM, joined by the Tossenca Choir. At 6 PM, a sardana performance was held along Passeig Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer, featuring Cobla Sol de Banyuls. In Santa Coloma de Farners, Thursday’s festivities included a popular sausage cookout and the reading of an institutional manifesto. On Friday, officials laid a floral tribute at the historic Peixateries Velles site.

Wider Municipal Programmes

  • Tordera: At 11 AM, sardana performances began in Plaça Lluís Companys, followed by a floral offering and official speech at noon. The day closed with a human tower, a pilar casteller.
  • Lloret de Mar: The 26th Pointers’ Gathering brought over 240 participants to Plaça de la Vila, alongside giants, castellers, and musical acts. The institutional ceremony took place at noon.
  • Santa Susanna: At noon, the floral tribute and manifesto reading were held in Plaça de la Independència. Evening events included havaneres at 7 PM in Plaça Catalunya and sardanes at 9 PM.
  • Pineda de Mar: At 10:45 AM, the council and local entities paid tribute at the maritime promenade’s Rafael Casanova monument, followed by sardana dancing at Plaça de Sant Pere Pescador.
“These gatherings reaffirm our shared identity and cultural resilience,” said a spokesperson for the Tossa de Mar Diada committee, reflecting a sentiment echoed across the region.

Further details on local events are available via the Ràdio Marina digital content portal.

Reported by marina360.cat, Regió7, tossademar.cat, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya, Parlament de Catalunya, parlament.cat, diaridegirona.cat, elpuntavui.cat, novaradiolloret.org, blanesaldia.com, marina360.