World Cup: Day After
>> Monday, 12 July 2010
Catalan soccer players Puyol and Xavi waving the Catalan flag after Spain's victory in the world cup. It's so nice of them. And, after all, seven Futbol Club Barcelona players were at the final last night. But...
At the same time, in Barcelona, a Spanish flag with the black eagle, the fascist symbol adopted by dictatorship Franco, taking again the streets, like in the Spanish Civil War. People screaming that Barcelona IS Spanish. If my grandphater were alive... I've never talked about him here. He was the most peaceful person I've ever met. And he was put in prison during that war by the Spanish. We received a compensatory payment for his arrestment after a long time, when he was already dead. This sort of things are revolving in our Catalan stomachs these days. Now we play soccer for them.
Barcelona, last night, again. 21 people arrested, 74 injured, 86 urban fires in containers, vehicles...
...and trees, in front of the MNAC, the Catalan Art National Museum in Barcelona. Very symbolic. Oh, OK, it's just the few unwanted persons we all know...
Madrid was a Fiesta last night, of course, and I'm glad for the Spaniards, it's their party... It wasn't a nice day here in Catalonia. It was tense. And I really need to stop talking about politics and soccer, or soon I'll know what's a peptic ulcer. How did those images take my blog? Where are my beloved books?
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4 comments:
Oh, I am sorry, fullet.
I'm one of the few people who did not follow the world cup.
Just keep thinking "Breathe in, Breathe out" It has a very calming effect, and grabbing one of your books is a good idea too :)
Josep, Like Ann, I had no interest of the World Cup nor did I watch it. Unfortunately violence always follows these sorts of events and are perpetrated by people who use it as an excuse to cause damage. It's sad. Now, relax, have a drink and get back to your books :)
The pictures are sad, Josep. I don't like to see this in my beloved Barcelona...even more I hate the events of the past few days. The thirty or so years of Franco's dictatorship and the suppression of all things Catalan must feel like the are being resurrected, in a sense. I think there are going to be some hard times ahead and, actually, I am glad I visited last year and don't have a visit anytime soon. What I enjoy about your area is its uniqueness and individuality.
Don't get me wrong, my friend, I like all of Spain - Madrid, San Sebastian, Grenada, Marbella, Toledo but Barcelona is special because it is Catalan and full of history and culture and language unique and all its own. I hope that, somehow, the decisions made four years ago will prevail and that an appeal will be forthcoming and the judges ruling can be changed. It, sadly, does not sound like Spain is supportive.
I am sure the violence in Barcelona is not so much about the World Cup but about this judicial decision not to honor the vote four years ago!
Yes, my friend, have a glass of nice wine and get back to your wonderful books - although, believe me, my entire life, I have not sat quietly back and been nonvocal about issues which displeased me...and, yes, twice I've had endoscopies and I've had ulcers - I'm on two different medications right now.
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