Why some Catalans want independence... and some don't - BBC News

Four people in Catalonia's capital city, Barcelona, tell us what it means to be Catalan - and why some people there want independence from Spain.

[sleepingpills]

The Canary Islands have even greater cultural differences from the average Spanish and dont claim independence.

[risbolensky]

When Kosovo declared independence in 2008 (without UN approval and without referendum) BBC didn't have this kind of reporting. Same goes for Crimea

[kijjano]

One of the richest regions playing the victim

[ExEEveeMon]

I’m Catalan but I want us to be under Spain.

[dani]

As a Spaniard, I wish Catalonia stayed with us, and instead of them leaving, we could build "a Spain" in which all catalans would like to be part of. I totally defend their right to vote if the want to stay or leave, though, it's their decision.

[personaldove]

Supporting Spain from America.
Shame on Catalonian separatists.

[SpanishDio]

*Cataluña is Spain Love From Barcelona <3*

[akashmitra]

Im from india.. and in india there are over 25 languages and different culture in different states.. so if catalonia is freed from spain on the basis of this only, then india should spread into 29 different countries 😂😂

[asupremum]

Every province in Spain has large cultural differences from the others, and there are several distinct languages spoken throughout the provinces. Should they all each become independent based on that fact? The notion seems ridiculous to me.

[bigshoestofill]

'Feeling superior in irrational ways'. . . . She said it perfectly. Why do jingoists feel so patriotic based on nonsense? Go trace your heritage and you'll see that your whole argument falls apart

[nugzarmikeladze]

No country in the world would allow such referendum if it's not allowed by constitution. Spain isn't doing anything authoritarian. if Catalans want independence they have to be oppressed by Spain to get support from other countries, but they aren't oppressed Catalan is official language Universities and schools teach in Catalan they even have their own police. so to gain independence only option is to win independence war. So Catalan separatists are just wasting time.

[soufianelouchene]

As someone is not from Spain, myself, I see you guys all looks like, no difference, if you look at the US, some states are reach than others, but you don't see people calling for independence, believe me diversity is something great, you don't know the value of it until you loose it, next time if it happened and you guys get the Independence you will see people within the new Catalonia saying the north is better than the south and so on and so far, believe me stay united and that's what makes you strong, Gracias!

[Olamellamoalex]

They didn't want this when Spain economy was good. The Independentist spirit on Catalonia is fueled mostly by huge egoism, a lot of populism, unhealthy nationalism and a shameless manipulation of history.

[loslaynes]

If you go to Catalunya from another part of Spain, like I did many time, it looks and feels like Spain. THe people there act exactly like what you would expect of other Spaniards. And not all of the Catalans are catalonian but Spaniards from other parts, likewise there are many 'ethnic' catalonians around Spain proper.

[britishchickinusa]

im not hearing any real reasons why they should be atonomous
all of the provinces of Spain have their own music, traditions, language etc
so.. it makes no sense to me, ,

for instance Galicia is gaelic
celtic..

[jasonjanoyblahaloverboy]

Don't they owe the Spanish government A LOT of money and want to secede WITHOUT paying that debt?

[anup]

Lol. They have a different language 😂. In that case most Indian state should ask for Independence from India.

[AmbientesMusicales]

No soy catalán, pero el humor de los catalanes es la leche. Yo me parto de risa con vosotros.

[josehernandez-mtzl]

The English have no idea of ​​what is happening in cataluña.No you ask because if the majority in Catalonia is not separatist because it does not manifest? .. we are simply afraid of the separatist facist regime that is being implemented.

[James-hhlq]

Laliga without Barca would be unthinkable