The Correllengua Agermanat, a cultural and sporting relay event, arrived in the Valencian Country on 25 April, coinciding with a significant regional observance and the return of the band La Gossa Sorda. The event, which started its journey through the Terres de l'Ebre region, passed through Amposta and Alcanar before crossing into the Valencian Country via municipalities such as Vinaròs and la Pobla Tornesa.
On Saturday, the event, which combines sport, culture, and linguistic advocacy, departed from a municipality in La Plana Alta. It travelled through towns including Castelló de la Plana, Vila-real, la Vall d'Uixó, and Sagunt, before reaching Valencia in the afternoon. This leg of the Correllengua Agermanat held symbolic importance as it coincided with the 25 April commemoration in the Valencian Country.
In Valencia, the Correllengua Agermanat route merged with a demonstration that began in Plaça de Sant Agustí. Organising bodies emphasised the need to “unite forces” against what they described as “aggressions” to the language and memory by right-wing and far-right parties. They also advocated for public education, public healthcare, and housing as a fundamental right.
La Gossa Sorda's Return
Following the large 25 April demonstration, ticket holders attended a concert by La Gossa Sorda in Picassent. The band from Pego started its comeback mini-tour in the L'Horta Sud locality on Saturday, with the tour set to end at the Aplec dels Ports festival in late July.
The group has confirmed at least eight concerts. One confirmed performance will coincide with the Correllengua's passage through Mallorca. This will be on 2 May, when La Gossa Sorda will play in Felanitx, the final stop for the event's Mallorca leg.
Music is a critical element of the Correllengua Agermanat. An official song has been produced featuring around twenty artists from across the Catalan-speaking territories. In addition to La Gossa Sorda, groups such as Auxili, Fades, Júlia Colom, Els Catarres, and La Companyia Elèctrica Dharma also participated.
Extensive Route Across Catalan-Speaking Lands
After Saturday's stage, the Correllengua Agermanat continued south. Sunday's stage ran from Picassent to Altea, in La Marina Baixa, passing through towns like Sueca, Tavernes de la Valldigna, Gandia, and Pego. The peninsular route will conclude in Elx, in El Baix Vinalopó, during Monday's stage, which will also include Alicante.
From Wednesday 29 April, the Correllengua Agermanat will move to the Balearic Islands, starting with a stage in Formentera. This will be followed by Ibiza, Menorca, and two consecutive stages in Mallorca. The event will end its journey in Alghero on Tuesday 5 May. All stages of the Correllengua Agermanat are available for public viewing.
The Correllengua Agermanat initiative draws inspiration from similar events, such as the Correllengua born in Mallorca and the Basque Korrika. It aims to unite the country in a cultural, social, and sporting mobilisation that connects all Catalan-speaking territories. The stated objective is to “make the Catalan language visible as a tool for cohesion.”
More than 5,000 registered participants are taking part, completing relay sections on foot or by bicycle across 17 stages. By its conclusion, the Correllengua Agermanat will have covered over 500 municipalities in the Catalan-speaking territories. It began last Sunday in Prada de Conflent and will end in Alghero on 5 May.
