Highlights
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Programme
Main events, new in 2007. -
National Symbols
The flag, the National anthem and de National day. -
How to get there
Information on how to get to the Parc de la Ciutadella by public transport.
Programme of the National Day of Catalonia
The events celebrating National Day of Catalonia, which in previous years have been held in the Passeig dels Tilˇlers in the Parc de la Ciutadella, are being moved this year to the Ciutadella park waterfall in order to improve spectator visibility.
Performing at the event shall be the Symphonic Orchestra of the ESMUC (College of Music of Catalonia) comprising senior students from the college and conducted by the maestro Salvador Mas, one of most internationally renowned Catalan orchestra conductors. The choir and orchestral version of the National Anthem of Catalonia will be performed by the Lieder Cārmera Choir from Sabadell -conducted by Josep Vila i Casaņas- and singing course students from the ESMUC.
Soprano singer Rosa Mateu, one of the best acclaimed voices in Catalan song today, shall perform songs by Eduard Toldrā (1895-1962), one of the major figures in 20th century Catalan music. Maria del Mar Bonet and Miguel Poveda will also perform two pieces from their show "Work and Days", premičred last month in New York.
The music accompanying the Mossos d'Esquadra parade is by the famous popular music composer Josep Serra i Bonal (1874-1939) and it shall be played by the City of Barcelona's Sant Jordi Band, currently one of the most prestigious in the country, which will also be playing several pieces from the nineteenth century popular music repertoire during the run-up to the event.
The flag chosen for the tribute this year is the flag of the Lleida City Council and it shall be carried by the lord mayor of the city, Ángel Ros, on behalf of all the councils of Catalonia
Moreover, the president of the Generalitat, José Montilla, shall award the Gold Medal of the Generalitat to ex-presidents Jordi Pujol and Pasqual Maragall, to show the acknowledgement and gratitude of the Catalan institutions to the people who have presided Catalonia for the last 25 years.
The awarding of the Gold Medal, the highest distinction awarded by the Government, will take place at 7 pm in the Sant Jordi Hall of the Palace of the Generalitat.
Before event commences:
The Sant Jordi Band shall play several pieces from the nineteenth century popular music repertoire.
12 pm: event commences
- Mossos d'Esquadra parade accompanied by the "Marxa Solemnial" by Josep Serra played by the City of Barcelona's Sant Jordi Band.
- Offering of the flag by the lord mayor of Lleida, His Grace Mr. Āngel Ros, on behalf of the councils of Catalonia.
- Raising of the flag, whilst singing the National Anthem of Catalonia.
- "Festeig" and "Canįķ de grumet" by Eduard Toldrā performed by soprano Rosa Mateu.
- Maria del Mar Bonet and Miguel Poveda perform "Work and Days", in Spanish and Catalan.
- "Empúries", freestyle sardana for orchestra (Eduard Toldrā)
- "El cant a la senyera" (lyrics by: Joan Maragall; music by: Lluís Millet) performed by the Symphonic Orchestra of the ESMUC, the Lieder Cārmera Choir from Sabadell conducted by Josep Vila i Casaņas and the ESMUC choir, conducted by Salvador Mas.
