Dignity and confidence

But peoples, I repeat, do not live solely on this. They also live, above all, on their nobility of spirit. On their generosity. On their pride. And especially on their dignity. And now is a time when this – dignity-  is very important. It is the most important thing. It is a priority ”.

Thus, the resounding success of last Saturday’s demonstration was a very important event, although some, especially in Madrid, criticised it. The rally was an assertion of dignity. What gave it most impact and import was not only the demand for adequate infrastructures, but also the call for respect, justice and the right to decide. In the first place, infrastructures. But if the people are calling for the right to decide about their infrastructures, they also want to decide about everything else that affects the economy in general, the legal system, social cohesion, culture, identity, the role of Spain and of Europe. The Spanish State has shown little respect in almost every sector. The call for justice has been derided as “whimpering”. The serene appeal for greater autonomy has been greeted with slanderous campaigns and incitements of hostility. The commitments made at the highest levels have become worthless. Catalonia has been tossed back and forth like a stone between the various Spanish factions in their indecorous bickering.

This is why we should feel pleased that Saturday’s rally was an outstanding success. For the huge participation, for the peaceful manner in which it was conducted, for what it represented in terms of demanding justice and especially respect. For what it represented in terms of demanding dignity.

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And confidence

The demonstration boosted our dignity and self-respect. Confidence. Confidence in our possibilities. It was a reaction against the bad omens, the sensation of crisis or of regression, of the negative complexes. These editorials have been rightly critical of ourselves, we have said on umpteen occasions that of late as a people we have not felt at ease with ourselves. Now we can state that we have very important assets, consistent moral resources, sufficiently strong creativity to react with effectiveness and determination.

Let us briefly sum up some of these assets. The few I mention are all positioned at a level of excellence.

Catalonia by a long shot continues to be Spain’s chief exporter. And this difference is further borne out when it comes to exporting cutting-edge technology.

Catalonia’s scientific policy of the last years has earned the respect of the European Union, from projects such as Synchrotron to the setting up of the ICREA (Catalan Institute for Advanced Research), which everyone in Spain is emulating.

For the first time, the Frankfurt Book Fair had as its guest of honour a language and a literature without a state. The previous year’s guest was India and next year’s will be Turkey. Only this gives one an idea of the distinction that this represents.

A recent news item revealed that of the 40 best hospitals in Spain, 19 are Catalan. That is nearly 50% of the hospitals for 16% of her population.

The European research authority, the European Research Council, has awarded “starting grants” (aid to start up research) that are distributed according to the merits of the applicants. Of the 40 that Spain will receive, 21 have been awarded to scientists from Catalan universities.

Catalonia continues to set the Spanish political agenda in large part -unfortunately. But a high potential profile also means influence.

We continue to grow far above the European Union average. In fact, when we compete in conditions of equality we usually excel.

And we could offer many more examples. Above all, we can claim something very significant: despite all the obstacles in recent times we continue to be a point of reference in Europe. Much more than many independent States and many officially recognised cultures. A point of reference and sometimes a surprise. Because – and this is what happened in Frankfurt- many people fail to understand how a country, a language, a culture and a political project like Catalonia’s, without the protection and the driving-force of a State, has as much resolve and renown as we do. This should make us proud. And make us feel confident.

Dignity and confidence. The exercise in dignity we undertook last Saturday has to be continued every day. And, certain of ourselves, we must ensure that the country makes headway in all spheres on a daily basis. Vindicating our rights, our system of financing, and our political power. And above all strengthening ourselves, with ambition and initiative, with self-imposed standards of excellence.