On October 2nd, 2017 the streets of Barcelona were a glow in a sea of Estelada flags. A diverse and energized crowd of protesters chanted the 300-year-old Catalan National Anthem, Els Segadors (The Reapers), “...Just as we cut golden ears of wheat when the time calls we cut off chains...” Its figurative language speaks to a culturally ingrained drive for independence and points to its history of oppression. On this day a peaceful referendum for self-determination turned brutal. Since then, protests in Catalonia have continued in retaliation to widespread police brutality, the undemocratic imprisonment of political leaders and the Spanish governments no negation stance.
Since their inception, over 1000 years ago, Catalans have been defending themselves, against countless invasions, wars and attempts to eradicate the culture altogether. In the 1940’s, the Franco dictatorship forced Castilian identity through a brutal policy of cultural cleansing. Including a ban on the use of the Catalan language in an attempt to promote a more Spanish identity. The recent events in Catalonia have resulted in direct rule over the region, bringing years of oppression bubbling to the surface like salt on freshly healed wounds. Today the Spanish government has initiated measures to change the official languages of schools to Spanish. By using education as a political weapon and ignoring the will of its constituents, the Spanish government is quickly echoing back to a mindset of Franco's totalitarianism.
The issue is not whether or not Catalonia should secede from Spain, rather it is the inability for them to legally and peacefully decide for themselves. Spain’s consistently aggressive response negates democratic ideology and aims to intimidate the region into submission by alienation. By leaving no room for negotiation, Spain's complete failure to acknowledge the rights of the Catalan people reflects a global shift away from democracy. Yet, more importantly, it puts Catalonia at risk of cultural extermination. As globalization rapidly propels the world into a homogenized identity it is essential to preserve, protect, and respect the dignity and rights of communities fighting against oligarch systems.
The collection "No ens rendirem mai” (we will never surrender ), explores the struggle and social complexities of Catalonia in the wake of a failed independence referendum. To better understand the polarizing nature of the independence movement, the photographs contrast rural and urban communities in order to capture the essence of Catalonia. By capturing the diverse reality of my subjects, the photographs offer a political and nuanced exploration of Catalan identity.