Catalonians in Madrid note the changes around them

Despite the wealth and dynamism of Catalonia, not everyone stays. Only last year nearly 50,000 Catalans left for other parts of Spain. Vicente is one of them, heading to Madrid to work as a computer engineer in a start-up. The son of Andalusian parents, he sees the open wounds created by the current political situation.

“I felt two months ago it was all very calm even though the vote was close, on the first day of October, but the last two or three weeks everything ignited again and this situation has exploded,” he says.

Like many other Catalans, he knows this bookstore in the heart of the Spanish capital, specialized in the Catalonian literature of his region, with more than 12,000 titles. Regular customers have noticed changes.

“The atmosphere has become very tense and the people I think don’t realise this is more than just a bookstore and cultural centre, as it is home to the official delegation of the Catalan Generalitat,” said one man.

On the other hand the presence of Catalan culture in the capital also serves to strengthen ties. This is the case of one group of Castellers, the famous builders of human pyramids, which was founded last February. It has 50 members, Catalans of course, but also people from other parts of Spain.

“Conflicts between peoples is much more about politics than culture, which is what we do,” said one young female Casteller.

“Several people and business owners have been willing to talk to euronews, although there have also been Catalans that, if not hiding, have at least wanted to avoid revealing their origins for fear of possible consequences,” reports euronews’ Carlos Marlasca.