Events of the Palau de la Música facts for kids
The events of the Palau de la Música happened at the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. This was on May 19, 1960. People gathered to celebrate 100 years since the birth of Catalan poet Joan Maragall. The event was put together by the Orfeó Català choir. Some government officials from the dictatorship were also there.
These events are seen as a big moment for Catalan activism. They helped bring new energy to the movement after the Spanish Civil War. They also marked the start of Jordi Pujol's political journey. He later became the President of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
What happened was very important, even beyond just music. The government had forbidden the singing of the song Cant de la Senyera. This song was very special to the Catalan people. The choir did not sing it, but the audience bravely sang it instead. Jordi Pujol was among those who faced consequences after the events. Even though he was not inside the building, he helped plan the protest. He was found responsible by a court and sent to prison.
Contents
A Look Back at History
Rules and Repression
The government at the time, led by Franco, was a dictatorship. It worked hard to stop any signs of Catalan culture or identity. This included the Catalan language and important Catalan symbols.
However, by the 1950s, the government started to make some small changes. The mayor of Barcelona, Josep Maria de Porcioles, helped with these plans.
Promises and Problems
The government announced some promises for Barcelona. They said the city would get more self-government. They also planned to give the Montjuïc Castle to the city council. Another promise was to officially record Catalan Civil Law. Finally, they planned a big celebration for the 100th birthday of the Catalan poet Joan Maragall. Franco himself was going to visit Catalonia in May.
The Ban and the Protest
These promises soon seemed like a trick. The governor of Barcelona, Felipe Acedo Colunga, banned the singing of the Cant de la Senyera. This song was based on a poem by Joan Maragall himself. It was usually sung by the Orfeó at the end of their concerts.
A group called Catalan Christians decided to organize a protest. This protest would happen on the same day as the concert for Joan Maragall, May 19, 1960. This group had been active for six years. They had successfully encouraged people to stop buying a newspaper called La Vanguardia in 1959.
What Happened That Day
As the event began, a group of young people stood up. They started singing the Cant de la Senyera. They also handed out a special cartoon that was against Franco. This cartoon was created because Franco had visited the city a few days earlier. Jordi Pujol had written the words for the cartoon.
Several people were arrested after the protest. Jordi Pujol was given a seven-year prison sentence. However, he only stayed in prison for three years.
