Really interesting documentary! Why did you chose to do this documentary? Do yo have any connections to Catalonia? I saw you speak Catalan, but I guess you are a USA citizen. Am I wrong? Congrats for the hood work!!! ☺
One small suggestion for your fine work: you consistently speak, in English, of "Catalunya" in Catalan but not of "España" in Spanish-you pay Spain the respect of giving it its normal English name, as English speakers do with all countries. For Catalonia to be seen as a normal country and not some obscure "region," it should be spoken of in English as the other countries of the world are: in English. When English-speakers speak of "Germany" instead of "Deutschland" or "Austria" instead of "Österreich," but then switch suddenly to "Catalunya" to speak of that Principality, it subconsciously puts Catalonia into a separate, more exotic category.
It’s wonderful you were able to speak in depth to the last three Catalan presidents. I admire your passion and incredible devotion to a noble cause. Catalans want and need to be heard. All of these Catalan presidents, the Spanish state removed from office for their beliefs. Not unlike the many before them. Más was fined millions of euros because he allowed a non binding vote. The Catalan people raised money to pay his fine. Torra was forced out of office because he hung a banner to free political prisoners and was also fined tens of thousands of euros for his beliefs. Puigdemont was removed from office, Spain took over Catalonia and forced him into exile because he believed in the people’s right to decide their own future. Meanwhile, if you’re the king of Spain who was put into power by a fascist dictator, you can kill your brother, accept millions of euros from kingdoms in the Middle East and hide hundreds of millions of euros in Switzerland while threatening your mistress’ life with the secret service and living in exile with complete immunity. Spain’s judges, military and police are still from the Franco era. Spain’s vengeance never ends when it comes to extraditing the elected Catalan EU members of Parlament to shut them up by putting them in prison for the rest of their lives for the way they think. There are over 3,000 people awaiting trial for wanting independence yet not one Spanish police officer was convicted for destroying Catalan schools or beating thousands of Catalans trying to vote and sending them to the hospital. Catalans want respect, dignity and to be listened to just as any other people want. Independence is the only option for people who are oppressed, not respected and vilified for political gain. Spain has a history of the inquisition, to this day one can be tried over and over again even if they were found innocent. One can and is put in prison for two years before a trial ever begins. This is not a modern country, it’s medieval. Spanish national police who work at the airport have fined Catalan speakers 601 euros for saying Good Morning in Catalan with the excuse they did not understand them and it held up the line. Meanwhile, any other language is accepted even if they don’t understand them. When it comes to daily life in Catalonia, the Catalan trains, run by Spain, have not had any infrastructure spending since 1974 and there are hundreds of breakdowns every year. 99% of cars that come into Barcelona are from outside the city Monday through Friday, polluting the city, because no commuters can depend on trains run by Spain. 100% of Catalan’s taxes go to Madrid with a promise of 68% coming back. Two months ago, in November 2022, 16% came back. Catalonia has to borrow money to keep its hospitals and schools open, going into debt while Spain pockets the money with corrupt politicians who say Catalonia is the problem. The last three Catalan presidents have all been kicked out of office so Spain can control Catalonia. The current Catalan President is promising the Catalans independence but giving the Spanish state all they ask for, frustrating the voters but making the Spanish state ignore the Catalans even more. The current Barcelona mayor was put into office because the Spanish press lied about the previous mayor, who was for independence, saying he had a bank account in Switzerland. It was proven false but he already lost. He’s running again 8 years later and suddenly the lies are flying again to discredit him once the Spanish state learned he’d win. Spain is calculated and maniacal. They have done anything and everything to stop the independence movement except dialogue, respect and honoring the Catalan statute that was voted and approved in 2006. After four decades of being a dictatorship, do you think Spain can overnight be a democracy? Spain should have had war crime trials and thrown out all those in power who had no problem killing Spanish civilians and having mass graves all over the country. Without Catalonia, Spain’s economy would be a complete disaster, being in the bottom of the EU list of economies. Catalonia would be above Finland’s GDP. Does anyone think millions of people would vote for independence if they felt they were being treated well? Let’s face it, 100% of Spain’s colonies fought and won independence, just ask Mexico, Spanish speaking South America, the Caribbean Spanish speaking countries etc. Catalonia is Spain’s last colony that unfortunately is on the same peninsula and brings Spain the only vestiges of wealth they can still rob while at the same time constantly eliminating their language and culture like they did to every other colony they oppressed. To be clear, there are many millions of immigrants from Spain who moved to Catalonia for work and a better life over the centuries. They are also suffering repression from Spain by being in Catalonia and want independence to have a better life. Thank you for making this documentary. May it go viral to spread the truth.
Such a noble cause ........... there isn't a single sovereign nation/state in the entire world that supports Catalan independence. Not a single one. Probably if you ask the Eskimo ...... but they are not a nation anyway.
Interesting discussion, however the Catalan cause,.according to my view,, cannot be compared with the idependence of Slovenia, Estonia, Kosovo or Montenegro. Those countries achieved independence on the ruins of collapsed or weak states (Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Serbia). Spain is a regional power and an important member of the EU. Spain is unlikelly to collapse and the international community will never sacrifice their relationships with Spain in order to support Catalonia the same way as they did with Kosovo. The only thing that I can imagine is a sort of dualism like that of Austria and Hungary between 1867 and 1918. The United Kingdom of Spain and Catalonia, where Valencia and the Baleares would belong to the Catalan crown, seems to be more realistic than the Catalan Republic. The only question mark in that solution would be the Basque country
Every argument in favour of Catalan independence mentioned in this video can be applied to so many other different places in Europe which are currently part of different and larger European nations at different times throughout history. Basically, Catalonia isn't special in any way. Thus, no case for its independence. In addition, Catalonia will never be independent because there isn't a single state/nation in the world that support Catalan independence and with this I would add ........ Amen.
What politicians has to do is to change Spanish Constitution, approved by almost 90% of catalans. This is what has to be done, there are rules we all must to follow but rules are to be changed, this is that way. By the way 2.2 Millon votes 1 Oct?? only in some people's minds. do you know people was able to vote many times? there was no control at all. This is not serious, I am sorry.
It was controlled actually, and even some attempts by Spanish nationalist were exposed (there are public videos about it). Wonder why almost 90% of Catalans voted the Spanish Constitution? A clue: it is not for they wish to be Spaniards but because the other option, of not doing so, was worse..
Okay, a few things here: 1. The Spanish Constitution was not approved by 90% of Catalans. Out of 4.39 million registered voters back then, around 3.1-2 million turned out to vote. Out of the turnout, yes - it is true that 90% voted for the Constitution. However, only 67% of the whole Catalan electorate voted for it. 2. The Spanish Constitution was put to the vote after 40 years of Franco's oppressive regime. At this point, the Catalans would've voted for nearly anything, as long as it seemed like it did away with Francoist institutions. Today, the Spanish constitution clearly does not represent Catalan interests, as shown by all the unrest in Catalonia. 3. I understand your argument that Catalans must work towards a solution within the framework of the Spanish government. However, this simply has not worked in the past. For example, the 2006 Statute of Autonomy gave Catalans the autonomy they desired, but it was vetoed 4 years later by the Spanish government. We have tried many times to work towards a solution within Spain, but it has failed. The Spanish government is unwilling to make real concessions to Catalans anymore, which is why people want independence. If the rules are oppressive and unfair, it's justified to fight them. 4. I'd love to see evidence of widespread voter fraud in the Oct 1 election. I could just as easily claim voter fraud in the vote on the Spanish Constitution.
My dear, it seems you have been worngly influenced. The way you explain things is the way separatist speak, I guess your mom is a separatist and she has a strong influence on this documentary. Catalonia has always been part of Spain, for good or bad, I think for good.
The purpose of such statement @Javier , famously said by Pau Casals in the UN hq, thought a bit imprecise in regards of the oldest one, was to remind the antiquity of the Catalan one as a core institution of the Catalan nation/country.
Thank you for your research and clear explanation about Catalan history, past and present.
Moltes gràcies, per donar-li visibilitat al conflicte, que pateix Catalunya
al conflicte que patim els catalans millor dit
This documentary should be known and seen by lots of european (and international) politicians and citizens. Well done!
Fantastic job ! Molt bona feina Ardal! 🤗💛❤️💛❤️💛❤️💛
How did you meet these former leaders?? 😳 Also don’t forget about Galician too the culture of Galicia is very distinct too like Catayuna. 😌
Moltíssimes gràcies! Súper ben fet! ⭐️
Learned a lot, and had a lot of fun watching!
Good job.
Good job Ardal. Any possibility to include subtitles in Spanish and/or Catalan?
Thank you! Making subtitles is pretty time-consuming. I'm very busy with school, but if/when I have some time, I'll include Catalan subtitles.
That´s what it´s called: P-R-O-P-A-G-A-N-D-A
Wow very interesting. Learned a lot!
Really interesting documentary!
Why did you chose to do this documentary? Do yo have any connections to Catalonia? I saw you speak Catalan, but I guess you are a USA citizen. Am I wrong?
Congrats for the hood work!!!
☺
@Toni Llopis i Torregrosa Yep, like Pere Aragonès i GARCIA
@Alejandro Garcia "Garcia" surname checks out
@Olga Vázquez L. Keep dreaming. Cataluña nunca será independiente, antes se romperá Cataluña que España
@Ardal Inesi 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Bona feina!
Moltes gràcies.
una grande libre
One small suggestion for your fine work: you consistently speak, in English, of "Catalunya" in Catalan but not of "España" in Spanish-you pay Spain the respect of giving it its normal English name, as English speakers do with all countries. For Catalonia to be seen as a normal country and not some obscure "region," it should be spoken of in English as the other countries of the world are: in English. When English-speakers speak of "Germany" instead of "Deutschland" or "Austria" instead of "Österreich," but then switch suddenly to "Catalunya" to speak of that Principality, it subconsciously puts Catalonia into a separate, more exotic category.
That makes sense. Thank you for your comment.
It’s wonderful you were able to speak in depth to the last three Catalan presidents. I admire your passion and incredible devotion to a noble cause. Catalans want and need to be heard. All of these Catalan presidents, the Spanish state removed from office for their beliefs. Not unlike the many before them. Más was fined millions of euros because he allowed a non binding vote. The Catalan people raised money to pay his fine. Torra was forced out of office because he hung a banner to free political prisoners and was also fined tens of thousands of euros for his beliefs. Puigdemont was removed from office, Spain took over Catalonia and forced him into exile because he believed in the people’s right to decide their own future. Meanwhile, if you’re the king of Spain who was put into power by a fascist dictator, you can kill your brother, accept millions of euros from kingdoms in the Middle East and hide hundreds of millions of euros in Switzerland while threatening your mistress’ life with the secret service and living in exile with complete immunity. Spain’s judges, military and police are still from the Franco era. Spain’s vengeance never ends when it comes to extraditing the elected Catalan EU members of Parlament to shut them up by putting them in prison for the rest of their lives for the way they think. There are over 3,000 people awaiting trial for wanting independence yet not one Spanish police officer was convicted for destroying Catalan schools or beating thousands of Catalans trying to vote and sending them to the hospital. Catalans want respect, dignity and to be listened to just as any other people want. Independence is the only option for people who are oppressed, not respected and vilified for political gain. Spain has a history of the inquisition, to this day one can be tried over and over again even if they were found innocent. One can and is put in prison for two years before a trial ever begins. This is not a modern country, it’s medieval. Spanish national police who work at the airport have fined Catalan speakers 601 euros for saying Good Morning in Catalan with the excuse they did not understand them and it held up the line. Meanwhile, any other language is accepted even if they don’t understand them. When it comes to daily life in Catalonia, the Catalan trains, run by Spain, have not had any infrastructure spending since 1974 and there are hundreds of breakdowns every year. 99% of cars that come into Barcelona are from outside the city Monday through Friday, polluting the city, because no commuters can depend on trains run by Spain. 100% of Catalan’s taxes go to Madrid with a promise of 68% coming back. Two months ago, in November 2022, 16% came back. Catalonia has to borrow money to keep its hospitals and schools open, going into debt while Spain pockets the money with corrupt politicians who say Catalonia is the problem. The last three Catalan presidents have all been kicked out of office so Spain can control Catalonia. The current Catalan President is promising the Catalans independence but giving the Spanish state all they ask for, frustrating the voters but making the Spanish state ignore the Catalans even more. The current Barcelona mayor was put into office because the Spanish press lied about the previous mayor, who was for independence, saying he had a bank account in Switzerland. It was proven false but he already lost. He’s running again 8 years later and suddenly the lies are flying again to discredit him once the Spanish state learned he’d win. Spain is calculated and maniacal. They have done anything and everything to stop the independence movement except dialogue, respect and honoring the Catalan statute that was voted and approved in 2006. After four decades of being a dictatorship, do you think Spain can overnight be a democracy? Spain should have had war crime trials and thrown out all those in power who had no problem killing Spanish civilians and having mass graves all over the country. Without Catalonia, Spain’s economy would be a complete disaster, being in the bottom of the EU list of economies. Catalonia would be above Finland’s GDP. Does anyone think millions of people would vote for independence if they felt they were being treated well? Let’s face it, 100% of Spain’s colonies fought and won independence, just ask Mexico, Spanish speaking South America, the Caribbean Spanish speaking countries etc. Catalonia is Spain’s last colony that unfortunately is on the same peninsula and brings Spain the only vestiges of wealth they can still rob while at the same time constantly eliminating their language and culture like they did to every other colony they oppressed. To be clear, there are many millions of immigrants from Spain who moved to Catalonia for work and a better life over the centuries. They are also suffering repression from Spain by being in Catalonia and want independence to have a better life. Thank you for making this documentary. May it go viral to spread the truth.
Such a noble cause ........... there isn't a single sovereign nation/state in the entire world that supports Catalan independence. Not a single one. Probably if you ask the Eskimo ...... but they are not a nation anyway.
Beautifully written - thank you so much for your comment.
Interesting discussion, however the Catalan cause,.according to my view,, cannot be compared with the idependence of Slovenia, Estonia, Kosovo or Montenegro. Those countries achieved independence on the ruins of collapsed or weak states (Yugoslavia, Soviet Union, Serbia). Spain is a regional power and an important member of the EU. Spain is unlikelly to collapse and the international community will never sacrifice their relationships with Spain in order to support Catalonia the same way as they did with Kosovo. The only thing that I can imagine is a sort of dualism like that of Austria and Hungary between 1867 and 1918. The United Kingdom of Spain and Catalonia, where Valencia and the Baleares would belong to the Catalan crown, seems to be more realistic than the Catalan Republic. The only question mark in that solution would be the Basque country
Every argument in favour of Catalan independence mentioned in this video can be applied to so many other different places in Europe which are currently part of different and larger European nations at different times throughout history. Basically, Catalonia isn't special in any way. Thus, no case for its independence. In addition, Catalonia will never be independent because there isn't a single state/nation in the world that support Catalan independence and with this I would add ........ Amen.
MHP. PUIGDEMONT ❤️
💋💋🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
Bona feina! Com sempre el millor el President Puigdemont!!!⭐
aka el vivales
Pure unadulterated propaganda, I'm tired of living trough histórical moments
Long life Catalonia inside Spain!
Europa no volverá. Nunca a la edad media.. 👌👌👌🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
Y lo dice un súbdito del REINO de España..., porque un reino no es nada medieval ni nada, no...
What politicians has to do is to change Spanish Constitution, approved by almost 90% of catalans. This is what has to be done, there are rules we all must to follow but rules are to be changed, this is that way. By the way 2.2 Millon votes 1 Oct?? only in some people's minds. do you know people was able to vote many times? there was no control at all. This is not serious, I am sorry.
It was controlled actually, and even some attempts by Spanish nationalist were exposed (there are public videos about it).
Wonder why almost 90% of Catalans voted the Spanish Constitution? A clue: it is not for they wish to be Spaniards but because the other option, of not doing so, was worse..
Okay, a few things here:
1. The Spanish Constitution was not approved by 90% of Catalans. Out of 4.39 million registered voters back then, around 3.1-2 million turned out to vote. Out of the turnout, yes - it is true that 90% voted for the Constitution. However, only 67% of the whole Catalan electorate voted for it.
2. The Spanish Constitution was put to the vote after 40 years of Franco's oppressive regime. At this point, the Catalans would've voted for nearly anything, as long as it seemed like it did away with Francoist institutions. Today, the Spanish constitution clearly does not represent Catalan interests, as shown by all the unrest in Catalonia.
3. I understand your argument that Catalans must work towards a solution within the framework of the Spanish government. However, this simply has not worked in the past. For example, the 2006 Statute of Autonomy gave Catalans the autonomy they desired, but it was vetoed 4 years later by the Spanish government. We have tried many times to work towards a solution within Spain, but it has failed. The Spanish government is unwilling to make real concessions to Catalans anymore, which is why people want independence. If the rules are oppressive and unfair, it's justified to fight them.
4. I'd love to see evidence of widespread voter fraud in the Oct 1 election. I could just as easily claim voter fraud in the vote on the Spanish Constitution.
My dear, it seems you have been worngly influenced. The way you explain things is the way separatist speak, I guess your mom is a separatist and she has a strong influence on this documentary. Catalonia has always been part of Spain, for good or bad, I think for good.
The purpose of such statement @Javier , famously said by Pau Casals in the UN hq, thought a bit imprecise in regards of the oldest one, was to remind the antiquity of the Catalan one as a core institution of the Catalan nation/country.
Adelante, va @Javier
@Jordi Jordi, I don't interesting in the neo history-propaganda that separatist invent. Thanks