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Catalan passion forged itself throughout the centuries. The
true determination of the Catalan spirit – the fruit of a long
history – goes far beyond the obvious stereotypes invented to
answer the difficult question, ‘who are the Catalans?’ It was
this determination that formed the Catalan people, describing
their personality better than an encyclopedia. And with that
in mind it is clear that the postcards representing Catalans
dressed in 17th Century costumes, dancing the sardine or eating
escargots do not capture the Catalan soul.
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The
Catalan passion is common to both north and south Catalonia,
however, the north Catalan personality was marked by the geographic
separation from the rest of the region. The lack of a legal
existence for the Catalans in France called for other forms
of expression. ‘Catalanity’ became a passionate life within
the intimate confines of family and friends and was less present
in the professional world. Particularly in urban areas men and
women who were Catalans in their private lives had to polish
their personalities to enter into the ‘normal’ world. In these
circumstances ‘Catalanity’ became a social embarrassment – provoking
smiles or laughter. Thus the moments of private life became
about freedom and this allowed Catalans to re-establish a sort
of balance in their lives. The Catalan energy reveals itself
in the region’s sports fans. Sundays have become an outlet whereby
the collective unconscious can express its’ ‘Catalanity’ and
regain a place that is evacuated during the working week. The
sporting slogan fier d’être Catalan (proud to be Catalan),
adopted by the Catalan rugby team USAP, provides an emotional
connection. The non-official Catalan spirit is a permanent and
spontaneous value living in a population guided largely by its
duality.
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