Barcelona Brand Suffers with Bid for Independence

The frustrated attempt by the region’s government to declare independence have made the city’s prestige suffer.  Barcelona is not the brand it was. As a cultural center of attraction which draws millions of tourists every year, and home to large pharmaceutical, publishing and manufacturing industries, and one the most successful football clubs in the world, made Barcelona an important city for investors.  However, the impact of the illegal referendum has been felt after 2,500 companies took their headquarters out of the city; namely, several large banks.  Tourism has decreased in Catalonia because the movement for independence threatens the stability of the region.

I really enjoyed living and working in Barcelona, where I moved to in 1999, and stayed for six years.  That was an exciting time for Spain because the country was about to become integrated into the European Union. Most Spaniards believed that the European Union could protect its citizens from the downside of globalization. The majority of Spaniards accepted that increasing global, political and cultural exchange could enrich their lives, but there were plenty of benefits to being a part of the European Union: from promoting social harmony, to being a cohesive economic and political block, having freedom of movement with no borders, a single currency, and bringing peace and stability to Europe.

Most Catalan people are completely attached to equality and collective rights, and do not fear that globalization could affect their culture. However, historically, separatism in Catalonia can be traced back centuries, and, in recent history, support for pro-independence in Catalonia has grown.  Catalans in favor of independence believe that their language and culture will be better protected by breaking away.  However, the majority of Catalans are opposed to independence, and Catalonia would not be recognized by the EU if it seceded.,

King Phillip of Spain gave a great speech after the Catalan vote to secede, asking the secessionists to return to legality, and said that Spain has enjoyed a place of peace, prosperity and important role in the world.  In 1978, Catalonia voted 90 percent in favor of the 1978 constitution which granted them many benefits, including Catalan as an official language; recognition of the right to a Catalan “nation” within Spain, and bilingual education.  They have gained a lot, and should not be given any international support on the matter of secession.  Spain has forty years of Democracy, rule of law and international prosperity, and a small and weaker Spanish GDP would have no interest for any other country in the world.  Barcelona is a beautiful, vibrant city and region, and its rich culture and diversity are a part of Spain.

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