(While in Barcelona Katie wrote a series of op-ed articles published for a Thompson Group daily.  Here is the best of Europinion… )

Having just joined the Barcelona library, I went in search of some kids books (hopefully my Spanish is now good enough to read to my two year old son).  However, I was surprised to see how few Spanish books there were on offer.  I recognized some of the most popular North American titles, but nearly all were offered solely in Catalan.  There was hardly a Spanish version to be found.Catalan is one of the official languages of the Spanish province of Catalunya (in which Barcelona is situated).  It coexists alongside Castellano (commonly known as ‘Spanish’), and most people from here that you meet are bilingual.  Most adults, that is.  Many children seem to learn exclusively Catalan at home (as evidenced by our time in the parks here), and wait until school to learn Spanish.  It hasn’t always been so.

A culture banned
As recently as during the dictatorship of Francisco Franco (which lasted from the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 until his death in 1975), even speaking Catalan was outlawed.  Traditionally a closely-knit group, the Catalans have always had a unique and distinct culture and language – it’s interesting to note that Barcelona was the Republican’s last stronghold in the fight against Franco’s fascists.  Catalunya has been a centre for industry, modernity and political activism since the 1700s – and as such, been coveted (and the people persecuted) by various groups over the centuries.

Not until 1978 and the passing of a democratic Spanish constitution did Catalunya recover political and cultural autonomy; it is now recognized as an autonomous state within Spain and is experiencing a revival of its previously banned language, art and culture.

Multiculturalism vs. Cultural Absorption
As in Canada, there is a large immigrant population here comprised of people from a number of different cultures and speaking a variety of languages.  While the official Canadian approach to multiculturalism is recognition and respect, there seems to be a more hands-off approach to cultural absorption in Catalonia.

In the majority of restaurants here you will find variations of traditional Catalan food; most theatres and concert halls focus on the promotion of Catalan actors, dancers and musicians performing Catalan pieces; and the library’s official website is available ONLY in Catalan.  The public school system instructs exclusively in Catalan with the exception of two hours per week in Spanish.  The city of Barcelona provides free Catalan classes to any resident.  Further afield, the Catalonian government – Generalitat de Catalunya – supplements university courses of Catalan language and culture, such as at York University in Toronto.

Cultural isolationism
Given the history of repression here, this cultural self-promotion might be understandable, the potential downside is that influences from other cultures may not be integrated or embraced – in a broad sense multiculturalism suffers.  Presumably the intention is to protect the minority culture thereby strengthening it; however, doesn’t this protectionism isolate the culture and in actuality weaken it?  A homogenous presentation of culture does not allow for the strengthening that happens when many cultures converge.

In Canada, for example, the coexistence of many cultures has allowed for an expansion of understanding and learning.  Everything from theatre pieces, to books, to fusion cooking combines the influences of many cultures and ideally the best aspects from each are taken.  In any grocery store you can find a plethora of options for different ‘ethnic’ dishes.  At your local Chapters you can find a number of books in other languages.  While there continues to be an emphasis on and respect for Canadian culture, you will find international offerings in most theatres.

If multiculturalism is embraced at the various levels of government, as it seems to have been in Canada, the trickle-down effect is that all citizens benefit from interaction with others from other cultures.  Throughout everyday exchanges between people, everyone becomes more accustomed to the patience, understanding and empathy required to communicate with those of other cultures and who speak other languages.  As well, if a broad spectrum of artistic expression is embraced hopefully the best will rise to the top.  If only composers, for example, from one culture are played and promoted, art may suffer from an artificially sheltered environment – it is when we open ourselves up to other influences that great synthesis and originality is possible.  Promote your native culture, certainly, but ideally shouldn’t we strive to achieve a balance of all cultures coexisting with respect and harmony?

An outsider’s opinion
To an outsider, life in this unique and previously marginalized culture is fascinating; Catalan culture is definitely on the rise.  As a Canadian who has benefited from a rich multicultural environment, I hope Catalunya learns to open itself up to outside influences.

By Katie Mead