Video: @salvadorilla / X
"No one is more Catalan than anyone else"
President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa has reaffirmed Catalonia's unity and inclusive identity in his annual Diada address, delivered from the Palau de la Generalitat on Thursday evening. Illa declared, "A Catalonia of one people" is essential to facing future challenges, stressing that "nobody is more Catalan than anybody else. Catalonia is all of us." He highlighted the pride in Catalans born in Andalusia, Extremadura, Morocco or Colombia who feel full belonging to the nation, calling this diversity a source of strength. "Our admirable and admired capacity worldwide is that people from different origins feel fully Catalan, with rights and duties," Illa said.
"In our home, hate has no place"
"In our home, hate has no place. We cannot allow anything or anyone to endanger coexistence in Catalonia."
Speaking against rising far-right sentiment, including from groups like Vox and Aliança Catalana, Illa condemned xenophobic rhetoric and political polarisation. His remarks follow disturbances at the Fossar de les Moreres earlier in the day linked to far-right presence. He urged Catalans not to be swayed by "pessimistic and conformist" narratives and to uphold a "fraternal and human sense of belonging."
Unity for key challenges
Illa called for national unity on pressing issues such as education, housing, infrastructure and autonomous financing, areas he said have long lacked adequate resources. "If each one pursues only their own interest, Catalonia loses. If we all think and act for the whole country, Catalonia wins," he warned. He also invoked the spirit of solidarity seen during this summer’s wildfires and the historic 1976 demonstration in Sant Boi, urging that same collective effort today.
International solidarity and values
The president reaffirmed Catalonia’s support for Ukraine, referencing his recent institutional visit to Kyiv where he conveyed solidarity to President Volodímir Zelenski. He positioned Catalonia as standing with peace and the foundational values of the European Union. On technology and climate, Illa advocated for artificial intelligence serving human dignity and science-led climate action.
Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by rtve.es, ara.cat, en.ara.cat, cope.es, naciodigital.cat, eldebate.com, elpais.com, El Món, La Vanguardia, elperiodico.com, elDiario.es Catalunya, Diari ARA, rab.cat, Betevé, À. G, Segre, Racó Català, Diari de Tarragona, cronicaglobal.elespanol.com.
