Catalan Independence Tour - The Politics of Secession

Catalan Independence Tour - The Politics of Secession

This tour through the Old City of Barcelona will investigate both historical and cultural reasons why many, but certainly not a majority, of Catalans feel the need for their regional government to push towards statehood. On October 27th, 2017, due to an ‘illegal’ referendum, Spain shut down the Catalan parliament and issued arrest warrants for all of the Regional Ministers, including the President, Carles Puigdemont. As of February 2019, thirteen ministers are undergoing a lengthy treason trial in Madrid and Puigdemont lives in exile between Brussels and Berlin. How did this all come about? How long has this issue been bubbling under the surface? How could the stand-off impact the future of the European Union? Would Spain concede territory that it appropriated over 300 years ago? Is there a renewed threat of an armed struggle? These are just some of the questions we will address, from all sides of the political spectrum.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: El Born Centre de Cultura i Memoria, Plaza Comercial 12, 08003 Barcelona Spain

We see a dedication to Catalan nationalism and culture.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Estacio de Franca, AV. Marques de l'Argentera, Barcelona Spain

Recognize an escape route for exiles to France during the Fascist Uprising in Barcelona.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Parc de la Ciutadella, Passeig de Picasso, 21, 08003 Barcelona Spain

We see a statue of a Catalan military legend, then visit the Catalan parliament and discuss the 2017 'illegal' referendum.

Duration: 50 minutes

Stop At: Arc de Triomf, Passeig Lluis Companys, 08003 Barcelona Spain

We see an 'alternative' Arch of Triumph and we discuss the emergenge of Barcelona as an industrial powerhouse in the 1880s.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Monument a Rafael Casanoves, Plaza Catalunya s/n0, 08370 Calella Spain

We pass by a monument to a valient war hero who defended Catalonia from Spanish attack in the early 1700s.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Palace of Catalan Music, Carrer Palau de la Musica, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona Spain

While passing through el Born, we visit this architectural gem wrought from red brick in the early 1900s.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Palau De La Generalitat De Catalunya, Placa de Sant Jaume, 4, 08002 Barcelona Spain

We finish at the upper chamber of Catalan Parliament, the sight of Spain flexing its federal muscle and invoking a constitutional ban on Catalan sovereignity in 2017.

Duration: 30 minutes