Summary
In Barcelona, Spain, a proposal to rename Plaça d’Urquinaona in honor of Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia has sparked debate. Ferrer is an anarchist and Freemason who was executed for his involvement in a 1909 civil uprising during the Tragic Week. He established the Modern School as an alternative to Church-administered education in Spain. Ferrer became a hero, particularly among left-wing activists linked to the Latin line of Freemasonry, though he is also controversial due to disputed charges involving the Tragic Week. The proposal has been supported by the Together for Catalonia party, which generally aligns with conservative views. However, an opposing petition argues that such changes aim to eliminate religion from public spaces. Despite these discussions, no official decision regarding the name change has been made, and Mayor Jaume Collboni’s office denies any plans to rename Plaça d’Urquinaona. The proposal highlights Barcelona’s complex relationship with its Catholic past, particularly in recent years when more places have removed references to saints and religion from public spaces.
Key Topics
Ferrer i Guàrdia, Urquinaona, Barcelona
