Editing Catalonia (section)

== Culture ==

=== Art and architecture ===
{{Main|Art of Catalonia}}
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Catalonia has given to the world many important figures in the area of the art. Catalan painters internationally known are, among others, [[Salvador Dalí]], [[Joan Miró]] and [[Antoni Tàpies]]. Closely linked with the Catalan pictorial atmosphere, [[Pablo Picasso]] lived in Barcelona during his youth, training them as an artist and creating the movement of [[cubism]]. Other important artists are [[Claudi Lorenzale]] for the medieval [[Romanticism]] that marked the artistic Renaixença, [[Marià Fortuny]] for the Romanticism and Catalan Orientalism of the nineteenth century, [[Ramon Casas]] or [[Santiago Rusiñol]], main representatives of the pictorial current of Catalan modernism from the end of the nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century, [[Josep Maria Sert]] for early 20th-century [[Noucentisme]], or [[Josep Maria Subirachs]] for expressionist or abstract sculpture and painting of the late twentieth century.

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The most important painting museums of Catalonia are the [[Teatre-Museu Dalí]] in Figueres, the [[National Art Museum of Catalonia]] (MNAC), [[Picasso Museum, Barcelona|Picasso Museum]], [[Fundació Antoni Tàpies]], [[Joan Miró Foundation]], the [[Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art]] (MACBA), the [[Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona|Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona]] (CCCB), and the [[CaixaForum Barcelona|CaixaForum]].
[[File:Rosassa de la catedral de Solsona.jpg|thumb|180px|[[Rose window]] ([[Solsona Cathedral]])]]
In the field of architecture were developed and adapted to Catalonia different artistic styles prevalent in Europe, leaving footprints in many churches, monasteries and cathedrals, of [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]<ref>Antoni Pladevall i Font: ''El Romànic català''. A ''El llibre d'or de l'art català''.</ref> (the best examples of which are located in the northern half of the territory) and [[Gothic style]]s. The Gothic developed in Barcelona and its area of influence is known as [[Catalan Gothic]], with some particular characteristics. The church of [[Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona|Santa Maria del Mar]] is an example of this kind of style. During the Middle Ages, many fortified castles were built by feudal nobles to mark their powers.

There are some examples of [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] (such as the Palau de la Generalitat), [[Baroque]] and [[Neoclassical architecture]]s. In the late nineteenth century [[Modernisme|Modernism]] ([[Art Nouveau]]) appeared as the national art. The world-renowned Catalan architects of this style are [[Antoni Gaudí]], [[Lluís Domènech i Montaner]] and [[Josep Puig i Cadafalch]]. Thanks to the urban expansion of Barcelona during the last decades of the century and the first ones of the next, many buildings of the [[Eixample]] are modernists. In the field of [[architectural rationalism]], which turned especially relevant in Catalonia during the Republican era (1931–1939) highlighting [[Josep Lluís Sert]] and Josep Torres i Clavé, members of the [[GATCPAC]] and, in contemporany architecture, [[Ricardo Bofill]] and [[Enric Miralles]].

==== Monuments and World Heritage Sites ====
[[File:Sant-climent-exterior-boi04.jpg|thumb|The Medieval church of [[Sant Climent de Taüll]], located at the foothills of the Pyrenees, in the province of Lleida]]
[[File:Σαγράδα Φαμίλια 2941.jpg|thumb|[[Sagrada Família]], Barcelona]]

There are several [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]] in Catalonia:

*Archaeological Ensemble of [[Tarraco]], Tarragona
*[[Catalan Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Boí]], Lleida province
*[[Poblet Monastery]], [[Poblet]], Tarragona province
*Works of [[Lluís Domènech i Montaner]]:
**[[Palau de la Música Catalana]], Barcelona
**[[Hospital de Sant Pau]], Barcelona
*[[Works of Antoni Gaudí]]:
**[[Sagrada Família]], Barcelona
**[[Park Guell|Parc Güell]], Barcelona
**[[Palau Güell]], Barcelona
**[[Casa Milà]] (La Pedrera), Barcelona
**[[Casa Vicens]], Barcelona
**[[Casa Batlló]], Barcelona
**The [[Church of Colònia Güell]], [[Santa Coloma de Cervelló]], Barcelona province

=== Literature ===
{{Main|Literature of Catalonia}}
The oldest surviving literary use of the Catalan language is considered to be the religious text known as [[Homilies d'Organyà]], written either in late 11th or early 12th{{nbsp}}century.

There are two historical moments of splendor of Catalan literature. The first begins with the historiographic chronicles of the 13th{{nbsp}}century (chronicles written between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries narrating the deeds of the monarchs and leading figures of the Crown of Aragon) and the subsequent Golden Age of the 14th and 15th{{nbsp}}centuries. After that period, between the 16th and 19th{{nbsp}}centuries the Romantic [[historiography]] defined this era as the {{lang|ca|[[Decadència]]}}, considered as the "decadent" period in Catalan literature because of a general falling into disuse of the vernacular language in cultural contexts and lack of patronage among the nobility.

[[File:Rodoreda.jpg|upright=0.65|thumb|left|[[Mercè Rodoreda]] ]]
The second moment of splendor began in the 19th{{nbsp}}century with the cultural and political {{lang|ca|[[Renaixença]]}} (Renaissance) represented by writers and poets such as [[Jacint Verdaguer]], [[Víctor Català]] (pseudonym of [[Caterina Albert i Paradís]]), [[Narcís Oller]], [[Joan Maragall]] and [[Àngel Guimerà]]. During the 20th{{nbsp}}century, avant-garde movements developed, initiated by the Generation of '14 (called [[Noucentisme]] in Catalonia), represented by [[Eugenio d'Ors]], [[Joan Salvat-Papasseit]], [[Josep Carner]], [[Carles Riba]], [[Josep Vicenç Foix i Mas|J.V. Foix]] and others. During the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Civil War ([[Generation of '36]]) and the Francoist period, Catalan literature was maintained despite the repression against the Catalan language, being often produced in exile.

[[File:Ana María Matute.jpg|upright=0.65|thumb|[[Ana María Matute]] ]]
The most outstanding authors of this period are [[Salvador Espriu]], [[Josep Pla]], [[Josep Maria de Sagarra]] (who are considered mainly responsible for the renewal of Catalan prose), [[Mercè Rodoreda]], Joan Oliver Sallarès or "[[Pere Quart]]", [[Pere Calders]], [[Gabriel Ferrater]], [[Manuel de Pedrolo]], [[Agustí Bartra]] or [[Miquel Martí i Pol]]. In addition, several foreign writers who fought in the [[International Brigades]], or other military units, have since recounted their experiences of fighting in their works, historical or fictional, with for example, [[George Orwell]], in ''[[Homage to Catalonia]]'' (1938) or [[Claude Simon]]'s ''Le Palace'' (1962) and ''Les Géorgiques'' (1981).

After the transition to democracy (1975–1978) and the restoration of the Generalitat (1977), literary life and the editorial market have returned to normality and literary production in Catalan is being bolstered with a number of language policies intended to protect Catalan culture. Besides the aforementioned authors, other relevant 20th-century writers of the Francoist and democracy periods include [[Joan Brossa]], [[Agustí Bartra]], [[Manuel de Pedrolo]], [[Pere Calders]] or [[Quim Monzó]].

[[Ana María Matute]], [[Jaime Gil de Biedma]], [[Manuel Vázquez Montalbán]] and [[Juan Goytisolo]] are among the most prominent Catalan writers in the Spanish language since the democratic restoration in Spain.

=== Festivals and public holidays ===
{{Main|Traditions of Catalonia}}
[[File:4 de 9 amb folre i pilar.jpg|thumb|Castell 4 de 9 amb folre i pilar by Colla Vella de Valls]]
[[Castell]]s are one of the main manifestations of Catalan popular culture. The activity consists in constructing human towers by competing {{lang|ca|colles castelleres}} (teams). This practice originated in [[Valls]], on the region of the Camp de Tarragona,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tarragona, City of Human Towers – Tarragona Turisme|url=https://www.tarragonaturisme.cat/en/tarragona-city-human-towers|access-date=2023-03-29|website=www.tarragonaturisme.cat|archive-date=29 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329184858/https://www.tarragonaturisme.cat/en/tarragona-city-human-towers|url-status=live}}</ref> during the 18th century, and later it was extended to the rest of the territory, especially in the late 20th century. The tradition of [[Castell|els Castells i els Castellers]] was declared Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by [[UNESCO]] in 2010.

In main celebrations, other elements of the Catalan popular culture<ref>-Joan Prat i Jesús Contreras. Conèixer Catalunya. Les Festes Populars. Editorial Dopesa 2. 1979. 159 pp. Idioma català. {{ISBN|84-7235-438-5}}.</ref> are also usually present: parades with {{lang|ca|[[Gegants i capgrossos|gegants]]}} (giants), bigheads, stick-dancers and musicians, and the {{lang|ca|[[correfoc]]}}, where devils and monsters dance and spray showers of sparks using firecrackers. Another traditional celebration in Catalonia is {{lang|ca|[[Patum de Berga|La Patum de Berga]]}}, declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the [[UNESCO]] on 25 November 2005.<ref>[http://www.bergueda.com/lapatum/festa.asp Patum de Berga]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227050231/http://www.bergueda.com/lapatum/festa.asp|date=27 February 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Festa major de la Seu d'Urgell.JPG|thumb|left|{{lang|ca|[[Gigantes y cabezudos|Gegants i capgrossos]]}} during the festa major of [[La Seu d'Urgell]] ]]

[[Christmas]] in Catalonia lasts two days, plus [[Christmas Eve]]. On the 25th, Christmas is celebrated, followed by a similar feast on the 26, called Sant Esteve (Saint Steve's Day). This allows families to visit and dine with different sectors of the extended family or get together with friends on the second day.

One of the most deeply rooted [[Christmas traditions]] is the popular figure of the {{lang|ca|[[Tió de Nadal]]}}, consisting of an (often hollow) log with a face painted on it and often two little front legs appended, usually wearing a Catalan hat and scarf. The word has nothing to do with the Spanish word ''tío'', meaning uncle. ''Tió'' means log in Catalan. The log is sometimes "found in the woods" (in an event staged for children) and then adopted and taken home, where it is fed and cared for during a month or so. On [[Christmas Day]] or on [[Christmas Eve]], a game is played where children march around the house singing a song requesting the log to poop, then they hit the log with a stick, to make it poop, and lo and behold, as if through magic, it poops candy, and sometimes other small gifts. Usually, the larger or main gifts are brought by the Three Kings on 6 January, and the tió only brings small things.
[[File:Tió de Nadal.jpg|thumb|A tió exhibited at Plaça Sant Jaume in Barcelona in the 2010–2011 Christmas season]]

In addition to traditional local Catalan culture, traditions from other parts of Spain can be found as a result of migration from other regions, for instance the celebration of the Andalusian {{lang|es|[[Seville Fair|Feria de Abril]]}} in Catalonia.

On 28 July 2010, second only after the [[Canary Islands]], [[Ban on bullfighting in Catalonia|Catalonia became another Spanish territory to forbid bullfighting]]. The ban, which went into effect on 1 January 2012, had originated in a popular petition supported by over 180,000 signatures.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tremlett|first1=Giles|title=Catalonia votes to ban bullfighting|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/28/bullfighting-ban-spain-catalonia|access-date=11 October 2017|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=28 July 2010|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045159/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/jul/28/bullfighting-ban-spain-catalonia|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music and dance ===
{{Main|Music of Catalonia}}
[[File:Sardanes.jpg|thumb|[[Sardana]]]]

The [[sardana]] is considered to be the most characteristic Catalan folk dance, interpreted to the rhythm of [[Tambori|tamborí]], [[tible]] and [[tenora]] (from the oboe family), [[trumpet]], trombó ([[trombone]]), fiscorn (family of bugles) and contrabaix with three strings played by a [[cobla]], and are danced in a circle dance. Other tunes and dances of the traditional music are the contrapàs (obsolete today), [[ball de bastons]] (the "dance of sticks"), the moixiganga, the goigs (popular songs), the [[galop]]s or the [[Jota (music)|jota]] in the southern part. The {{lang|ca|[[Habanera (music)|havaneres]]}} are characteristic in some marine localities of the Costa Brava, especially during the summer months when these songs are sung outdoors accompanied by a {{lang|ca|cremat}} of burned rum.

Art music was first developed, up to the nineteenth century and, as in much of Europe, in a liturgical setting, particularly marked by the Escolania de Montserrat. The main Western musical trends have marked these productions, medieval monodies or polyphonies, with the work of [[Abbot Oliba]] in the eleventh century or the compilation [[Llibre Vermell de Montserrat]] ("Red Book of Montserrat") from the fourteenth century. Through the Renaissance there were authors such as [[Pere Albert Vila]], [[Joan Brudieu]] or the two [[Mateu Fletxa]] ("The Old" and "The Young"). Baroque had composers like [[Joan Cererols]]. The Romantic music was represented by composers such as [[Fernando Sor]], [[Josep Anselm Clavé]] (father of choir movement in Catalonia and responsible of the music folk reviving) or [[Felip Pedrell]].

Modernisme also expressed in musical terms from the end of the 19th century onwards, mixing folkloric and post-romantic influences, through the works of [[Isaac Albéniz]] and [[Enric Granados]]. The avant-garde spirit initiated by the modernists is prolonged throughout the twentieth century, thanks to the activities of the [[Orfeó Català]], a choral society founded in 1891, with its monumental concert hall, the [[Palau de la Música Catalana]] in Catalan, built by Lluís Domènech i Montaner from 1905 to 1908, the [[Barcelona Symphony Orchestra]] created in 1944 and composers, conductors and musicians engaged against the Francoism like [[Robert Gerhard]], [[Eduard Toldrà]] and [[Pau Casals]].

Performances of [[opera]], mostly imported from Italy, began in the 18th century, but some native operas were written as well, including the ones by [[Domènec Terradellas]], [[Carles Baguer]], [[Ramon Carles]], Isaac Albéniz and Enric Granados. The Barcelona main opera house, [[Gran Teatre del Liceu]] (opened in 1847), remains one of the most important in Spain, hosting one of the most prestigious music schools in Barcelona, the [[Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu]]. Several lyrical artists trained by this institution gained international renown during the 20th century, such as [[Victoria de los Ángeles]], [[Montserrat Caballé]], [[Giacomo Aragall]] and [[Josep Carreras]].

Cellist [[Pau Casals]] is admired as an outstanding player. Other popular musical styles were born in the second half of the 20th century such as [[Nova Cançó]] from the 1960s with [[Lluís Llach]] and the group [[Els Setze Jutges]], the [[Catalan rumba]] in the 1960s with [[Peret]], [[Catalan Rock]] from the late 1970s with [[La Banda Trapera del Río]] and [[Decibelios]] for Punk Rock, [[Sau (band)|Sau]], [[Els Pets]], [[Sopa de Cabra]] or [[Lax'n'Busto]] for [[pop rock]] or [[Sangtraït]] for hard rock, electropop since the 1990s with [[OBK]] and [[indie pop]] from the 1990s.

=== Media and cinema ===
{{Main|Cinema of Catalonia}}
[[File:TVC.svg|thumb|Logo of Televisió de Catalunya]]
Catalonia is the autonomous community, along with Madrid, that has the most media (TV, magazines, newspapers etc.). In Catalonia there is a wide variety of local and comarcal media. With the restoration of democracy, many newspapers and magazines, until then in the hands of the Franco government, were recovered in order to convert them into free and democratic media, while local radio and television began broadcasting.

[[Televisió de Catalunya]], which broadcasts entirely in the Catalan language, is the main Catalan public network. It has five channels: [[TV3 (Catalonia)|TV3]], [[El 33]], [[Super3]], [[3/24]], [[Esport3]] and [[TV3CAT]]. In 2018, TV3 became the first television channel to be the most viewed for nine consecutive years in Catalonia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ccma.cat/tv3/any-de-records-a-tv3-lider-daudiencia-per-nove-any-consecutiu-i-millor-resultat-dels-ultims-6-anys/noticia/2895171/|title=TV3 lidera l'audiència per 9è any consecutiu i té el millor resultat dels últims 6 anys|date=1 January 2019|work=CCMA|access-date=1 January 2019|language=ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102002110/https://www.ccma.cat/tv3/any-de-records-a-tv3-lider-daudiencia-per-nove-any-consecutiu-i-millor-resultat-dels-ultims-6-anys/noticia/2895171/|archive-date=2 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ara.cat/media/TV3-estableix-nou-liderat-consecutius_0_2153784649.html|title=TV3 estableix un nou rècord: nou anys de liderat consecutius|last=Gutiérrez|first=Àlex|date=31 December 2018|work=Diari Ara|access-date=1 January 2019|language=ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101002826/https://www.ara.cat/media/TV3-estableix-nou-liderat-consecutius_0_2153784649.html|archive-date=1 January 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> State television that broadcasts in Catalonia in the Spanish language include {{Lang|es|[[Televisión Española]]|italic=no}} (with few emissions in Catalan), [[Antena 3 (Spain)|Antena 3]], [[Cuatro (TV channel)|Cuatro]], [[Telecinco]], and [[La Sexta]]. Other smaller Catalan television channels include local television channels, notably [[betevé]], owned by the [[City Council of Barcelona]], and broadcast in Catalan.

The two main Catalan newspapers of general information are ''[[El Periódico de Catalunya]]'' and ''[[La Vanguardia]]'', both with editions in Catalan and Spanish. Catalan only published newspapers include ''[[Ara (newspaper)|Ara]]'' and ''[[El Punt Avui]]'' (from the fusion of ''[[El Punt]]'' and ''[[Avui]]'' in 2011), as well as most part of the local press. The Spanish newspapers, such as ''[[El País]]'', ''[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]'' or ''[[La Razón (Madrid)|La Razón]]'', can be also acquired.

Catalonia has a long tradition of use of radio, the first regular radio broadcast in the country was from Ràdio Barcelona in 1924.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1974/04/24/049.html|title=ABC (Madrid) – 24/04/1974, p. 49 – ABC.es Hemeroteca |access-date=22 October 2018|website=hemeroteca.abc.es|language=es|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630025203/http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1974/04/24/049.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Today, the public [[Catalunya Ràdio]] (owned by [[Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals|Catalan Media Corporation]]) and the private [[RAC 1]] (belonging to Grup Godó) are the two main radio stations of Catalonia, both in Catalan.

[[File:Festival Internacional de Cinema de Catalunya 2009.JPG|thumb|[[Sitges Film Festival]] of 2009]]
Regarding the cinema, after the democratic transition, three styles have dominated since then. First, auteur cinema, in the continuity of the [[Barcelona School of Film|Barcelona School]], emphasizes experimentation and form, while focusing on developing social and political themes. Worn first by [[Josep Maria Forn]] or [[Bigas Luna]], then by [[Marc Recha]], [[Jaime Rosales]] and [[Albert Serra]], this genre has achieved some international recognition. Then, the [[documentary]] became another genre particularly representative of contemporary Catalan cinema, boosted by [[Joaquim Jordà i Català]] and [[José Luis Guerín]]. Later, horror films and thrillers have also emerged as a specialty of the Catalan film industry, thanks in particular to the vitality of the [[Sitges Film Festival]], created in 1968. Several directors have gained worldwide renown thanks to this genre, starting with Jaume Balagueró and his series ''[[REC (film)|REC]]'' (co-directed with Valencian Paco Plaza), [[Juan Antonio Bayona]] and ''[[El orfanato|El Orfanato]]'' or [[Jaume Collet-Serra]] with ''[[Orphan (2009 film)|Orphan]]'', ''[[Unknown (2011 film)|Unknown]]'' and ''[[Non-Stop (film)|Non-Stop]]''.

Catalan actors have shot for Spanish and international productions, such as [[Sergi López (actor)|Sergi López]].

The [[Museum of Cinema - Tomàs Mallol Collection]] (Museu del Cinema – Col.lecció Tomàs Mallol in Catalan) of Girona is home of important permanent exhibitions of cinema and pre-cinema objects. Other important institutions for the promotion of cinema are the [[Gaudí Awards]] (Premis Gaudí in Catalan, which replaced from 2009 Barcelona Film Awards themselves created in 2002), serving as equivalent for Catalonia to the Spanish [[Goya Awards|Goya]] or French [[César Award|César]].

=== National symbols ===
{{Main|National symbols of Catalonia}}
[[File:Senyera (Pl. Octavià, S. Cugat del Vallès) 01.jpg|thumb|[[Senyera|Flag of Catalonia]]]]

Catalonia has its own representative and distinctive national symbols, some of them officially recognized, such as:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gencat.net/generalitat/eng/estatut/titol_preliminar.htm#a8|title=Statute of Catalonia (Article 8)|publisher=Gencat.net|access-date=25 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113100832/http://www.gencat.net/generalitat/eng/estatut/titol_preliminar.htm#a8|archive-date=13 January 2009}}</ref>

*The flag of Catalonia, popularly known as the {{lang|ca|[[Senyera]]}}, is a [[Glossary of vexillology#Flag identification symbols|vexillological symbol]] based on the heraldic emblem of [[Counts of Barcelona]] and the [[coat of arms]] of the Crown of Aragon, which consists of four red stripes on a golden background. It has been an official symbol since 25 May 1933.
*The [[National Day of Catalonia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/CCAA/ca-l1-1980.html|title=Law 1/1980 where the Parlamient of Catalonia declares that 11th of September is the National Day of Catalonia |publisher=Noticias.juridicas.com|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=9 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609013847/http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/CCAA/ca-l1-1980.html|url-status=live}}</ref> is on 11 September, and it is commonly called the {{lang|ca|Diada}}. It commemorates the 1714 [[Siege of Barcelona (1713–1714)|siege of Barcelona]] resistance and [[Capitulation (treaty)|capitulation]] at the end [[War of the Spanish Succession]].
*The national anthem of Catalonia is {{lang|ca|[[Els Segadors]]}} and was written in its present form by Emili Guanyavents in 1899. The song is official by law from 25 February 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/CCAA/ca-l1-1993.html|title=Law 1/1993 National Anthem of Catalonia |publisher=Noticias.juridicas.com|access-date=25 April 2010|archive-date=9 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609014232/http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_datos/CCAA/ca-l1-1993.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://search.boe.es/datos/imagenes/BOE/1993/074/A09308.tif Law 1/1993 in the BOE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926005145/http://search.boe.es/datos/imagenes/BOE/1993/074/A09308.tif|date=26 September 2007}}</ref> It is based on the events of 1640 during the [[Reapers' War]].

In addition, various celebrations, objects, images, people or cultural icons maintain recognition at a national or international level as Catalan national symbols, such as [[Saint George's Day in Catalonia|St. George's Day]] ({{lang|ca|Diada de Sant Jordi}}), widely celebrated festival in all Catalan towns on 23 April dedicated to the [[patron saint]] of Catalonia, and includes an exchange of books and roses between sweethearts and loved ones,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Amades |first=Joan |title=Costumari Català. El curs de l'any |publisher=Salvat Edicions |year=1952 |edition=2nd |location=Barcelona |pages=285–307 |language=Catalan}}</ref>  therefore, serving to the same romantic purpose that of [[Valentine's Day|Saint Valentine's Day]] in Anglophone countries.

=== Philosophy ===
{{See also|Seny}}
{{lang|ca|Seny}} is a form of ancestral Catalan wisdom or sensibleness. It involves well-pondered perception of situations, level-headedness, awareness, integrity, and right action. Many Catalans consider seny something unique to their culture, is based on a set of ancestral local customs stemming from the scale of values and social norms of their society.

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Catalonia}}
Sport has had a distinct importance in Catalan life and culture since the beginning of the 20th century; consequently, the region has a well-developed sports infrastructure. The main sports are [[association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[handball]], [[rink hockey]], [[tennis]] and [[motorsport]].

While the most popular sports are represented at international level by the Spanish national teams, Catalonia plays as itself in some minor ones, such as [[korfball]], [[futsal]] or [[rugby league]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.seleccions.cat/index.php/seleccions-reconegudes/esports-reconeguts|title=Esports reconeguts|website=www.seleccions.cat|access-date=13 September 2016|archive-date=4 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104200454/http://seleccions.cat/index.php/seleccions-reconegudes/esports-reconeguts|url-status=live}}</ref> Various Catalan Sports Federations have a long tradition and some of them participated in the foundation of international sports federations, as the [[Catalonia national rugby union team|Catalan Federation of Rugby]], that was one of the founder members of the [[FIRA – Association of European Rugby|Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur]] (FIRA) in 1934.<ref name="fira-aer-rugby.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=33|title=FIRA-AER website – History|access-date=19 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216142416/http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=33|archive-date=16 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> The majority of Catalan sport federations are part of the [[Sports Federation Union of Catalonia]] (Catalan: {{lang|ca|Unió de Federacions Esportives de Catalunya}}), founded in 1933. The presence of separate Catalan teams has caused disputes with Spanish sports institutions, as happened to [[Catalonia men's national roller hockey team|roller hockey]] in the controversial [[Fresno Case]] (2004).<ref>{{cite web |last1=(TAS) |first1=Tribunal Arbitrale du Sport |title=SENTENCE ARBITRALE rendue par le TRIBUNAL ARBITRAL DU SPORT |url=http://www.tas-cas.org/fr/pdf/catalans.PDF |website=www.tas-cas.org |access-date=10 September 2024 |archive-date=19 October 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051019233616/http://www.tas-cas.org/fr/pdf/catalans.PDF |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[Catalan Football Federation]] also periodically fields a [[Catalonia national football team|national team]] against international opposition, organizing friendly matches. In the recent years they have played with Bulgaria, Argentina, Brazil, Basque Country, Colombia, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Tunisia. The biggest football clubs are [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] (also known as ''Barça''), who have won five European Cups ([[UEFA Champions League]]), and [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]], who have twice been runner-up of the [[UEFA Cup]] (now UEFA Europa League). As of December 2024, Barça, Espanyol and [[Girona FC]] play in the top Spanish League ([[La Liga]]).

The Catalan [[waterpolo]] is one of the main powers of the Iberian Peninsula. The Catalans won triumphs in waterpolo competitions at European and world level by club (the Barcelona was champion of Europe in 1981/82 and the Catalonia in 1994/95) and national team (one gold and one silver in Olympic Games and World Championships). It also has many international [[synchronized swimming]] champions.

Motorsport has a long tradition in Catalonia, which involving many people, with some world champions and several competitions organized since the beginning of the 20th century. The [[Circuit de Catalunya]], built in 1991, is one of the main motorsport venues, holding the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, the Spanish F1 Grand Prix, a DTM race, and several other races.

Catalonia hosted many relevant international sport events, such as the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in Barcelona, as well as the [[1955 Mediterranean Games]], the [[2013 World Aquatics Championships]] or the [[2018 Mediterranean Games]]. It held annually the fourth-oldest still-existing [[cycling stage race]] in the world, the [[Volta a Catalunya]] (Tour of Catalonia).<ref>{{cite web|title=100 Anys d'Historia|url=http://www.voltacatalunya.cat/ca/història/|website=voltacatalunya.cat|access-date=10 December 2015|language=ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525185019/http://www.voltacatalunya.cat/ca/hist%C3%B2ria/|archive-date=25 May 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" widths="180px" heights="180px">

BCN-EstadiOlimpic-4860.jpg|[[Anella Olímpica|Olympic Park]] of [[Montjuïc]], Barcelona. At the centre, the [[Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys|Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys]]
Camp Nou - Interior (2005).jpg|[[Camp Nou]], home of [[FC Barcelona]]
F1 Circuit de Catalunya - Tribuna.jpg|[[Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya]]
Pep Guardiola 2.1.jpg|[[Pep Guardiola]], one of the most successful football managers of all time, pictured while managing [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]]
</gallery>

=== Cuisine ===
{{Main|Catalan cuisine}}
[[File:Pa amb tomàquet - 001.jpg|thumb|{{lang|ca|[[Pa amb tomàquet]]}} (bread with tomato)]]

Catalan gastronomy has a long culinary tradition. Various local food recipes have been described in documents dating from the fifteenth century. As with all the cuisines of the Mediterranean, Catatonian dishes make abundant use of [[Fish as food|fish]], seafood, [[olive oil]], [[bread]] and [[vegetables]]. Regional specialties include the {{lang|ca|[[pa amb tomàquet]]}} (bread with tomato), which consists of bread (sometimes toasted), and [[tomato]] seasoned with olive oil and salt. Often the dish is accompanied with any number of sausages (cured [[Botifarra|botifarres]], [[fuet]], iberic ham, etc.), ham or cheeses. Others dishes include the {{lang|ca|[[calçotada]]}}, {{lang|ca|[[escudella i carn d'olla]]}}, {{lang|ca|suquet de peix}} (fish stew), and a [[dessert]], [[Catalan cream]].

Catalan vineyards also have several {{lang|ca|[[Denominación de origen|Denominacions d'Origen]]}} wines, such as: [[Priorat (DOQ)|Priorat]], [[Montsant DO|Montsant]], [[Penedès (DO)|Penedès]] and [[Empordà (DO)|Empordà]]. There is also a sparkling wine, the [[Cava (Spanish wine)|cava]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cava-and-co.com/|title=Cava & Co !|date=24 October 2011|website=Cava & Co !|access-date=24 July 2021|archive-date=24 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724170448/https://cava-and-co.com/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Catalonia is internationally recognized for its fine dining. Three of [[the World's 50 Best Restaurants]] are in Catalonia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-04-21/news/27654601_1_chef-restaurant-magazine-signature-dishes|title=Spain's El Bulli named best restaurant in world|date=21 April 2009|work=[[The Economic Times]]|location=India|access-date=30 April 2012|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208131151/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2009-04-21/news/27654601_1_chef-restaurant-magazine-signature-dishes|url-status=dead}}</ref> and four restaurants have three [[Michelin Guide|Michelin]] stars, including restaurants like [[El Bulli]] or [[El Celler de Can Roca]], both of which regularly dominate international rankings of restaurants.<ref>[http://www.marianne.net/Meilleur-restaurant-du-monde-grand-prix-de-la-tourista-internationale_a228545.html « Meilleur restaurant du monde » grand prix de la tourista internationale] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716172102/http://www.marianne.net/Meilleur-restaurant-du-monde-grand-prix-de-la-tourista-internationale_a228545.html|date=16 July 2014}}, [[Périco Légasse]], marianne.net, 30 avpil 2013</ref> The region has been awarded the [[European Region of Gastronomy]] title for the year 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.europeanregionofgastronomy.org/platform/catalonia-2016/|title=Catalonia 2016 |author=<!--Not stated-->|website=europeanregionofgastronomy.org|publisher=International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism|access-date=10 June 2021|quote=|archive-date=10 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610133552/https://www.europeanregionofgastronomy.org/platform/catalonia-2016/|url-status=live}}</ref>