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Aplec 18 de setembre (Cardona)

Població: Cardona (El Bages)
Dates: 19-09-2008 / 21-09-2008
Època: Època Moderna
Pàgina web: http://www.18desetembre.cat/

One of the most important towns in the Principality of Catalonia during the Spanish Succession War (1705-1714) was Cardona. Its castle was the last in Catalonia to fall down under borbonic control, a week after Barcelona, that is, on 18th September 1714. The town and the castle played an important role in the fight.

 

On 11th September 1714, Barcelona surrendered and a series of capitulation conditions were written up: i) lives of inhabitants were to be respected, ii) the city would not fall into pillage, iii) inhabitants would remain under clemency of the new King, and iv) the castle of Cardona was to surrender. As agreed, the castle of Cardona submitted on 18th September 1714 being the last Catalan bastion to fall under Phillip V's command.

 

Associació Cultural 18 de Setembre (Cultural Association 18th September) wishes to commemorate the historical events occurred in Cardona during the Spanish Succession War. So far, 9 editions of this Festival have been celebrated.

 

The festival is a claim to regain the freedoms Catalan people lost with the defeat. Hence, events of a more political nature are organised with the aim to foster Catalan identity. The festivity begins with a speech about historical events and a performance re-enacting the capitulation of the castle, and is followed by a solemn descent of torches from the castle down to town.

 

Other more festive and popular events also take place like traditional music concerts, a fair of cultural societies, a shared popular "paella" meal and castellers (human towers) exhibitions. The festival finishes with a floral offering to the monument of 18th September.