900 Attend Diada Celebration in Can Bech Gardens
Palafrugell marked Catalonia's National Day on Friday, 11 September 2026, with a day of traditional dance, music, and civic ceremony attended by around 900 people at the gardens of Can Bech. The events began at 10:00 at Plaça Nova with performances by the Esbart Fontcoberta de Banyoles and the local Esbart Mestre Sirés de Palafrugell. At 11:30, the Palafrugell Giants led a procession to the gardens, where the official ceremony began at 11:50.
Mayor Highlights Catalan School and Language
In her address, Mayor Laura Millán, who is also a teacher, centred her speech on the defence of the Catalan-language school system, linguistic rights, and social cohesion. She described education as essential to building an inclusive, critical, and civic-minded community. Millán called for increased resources for public schools and smaller class sizes to support a diverse student population. She emphasized that the school is the cornerstone for shaping the Palafrugell residents want: cohesive, inclusive, and proactive. The speech marked 20 years since the inauguration of the Centre Municipal d’Educació, now named Núria Ribas Mascarós, which Millán praised as a space for lifelong learning and community integration.
“With this discourse, I want this Diada to defend our model against constant attacks,”
Defence of Catalan Language and Local Identity
Mayor Millán reaffirmed Palafrugell’s commitment to Catalan as the common language, citing the creation of a dedicated municipal office for the Defence and Protection of Catalan. The council is working with the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística to promote its use. She linked language preservation to local economic identity, highlighting ongoing efforts to draft a Special Urban Planning Plan (PEU) to protect Palafrugell’s commercial and urban character. This follows a 2025 council decision to temporarily suspend licensing for fast food outlets, mobile phone shops, and personal image services in the town centre.
Cultural Programme and Closing Ceremony
Millán also spotlighted Palafrugell’s cultural calendar, including the 2026 Centenary of Modest Cuixart, a celebrated artist, marked by exhibitions at the Museu del Suro. Commemorations for Josep Martinell’s 25th death anniversary and the 2027 Centenary of composer Josep Bastons were also noted. The institutional act concluded with the raising of the Catalan flag and the singing of the national anthem, "Els Segadors". The day continued with sardana music by Cobla Cervianenca and a popular aperitif for attendees.
Further details on Palafrugell’s cultural events are available via the Palafrugell Culture Agenda.
Reported by revistabaixemporda.cat, palafrugell.cat, Ràdio Palafrugell, parlament.cat, Parlament de Catalunya, elnou.cat, radiopalafrugell.cat, Ràdio Capital de l\\\'Empordà, gerio.cat, tvcostabrava.com, lleidadiari.cat, diaridegirona.cat, elpuntavui.cat, Palafrugell Cultura | Agenda d'activitats culturals de Palafrugell, Revista del Baix Empordà.
