Spanish Congress honors musician Pau Casals for International Day of Peace

The Spanish Congress held its first ceremony for the International Day of Peace, featuring a tribute to the Catalan musician Pau Casals on the 150th anniversary of his birth. The event included musical performances of Casals' works, such as ‘El cant dels ocells’, played on the same cello once owned by the musician.

Congress President Francina Armengol and various government officials, including the President of the Generalitat Salvador Illa, attended the ceremony. However, the political group Junts boycotted the event, arguing that the format failed to sufficiently recognize Casals' Catalan identity and his commitment to the Catalan language. Junts stated that a true tribute would involve advocating for the use of Catalan within the European Union.

During the proceedings, Armengol addressed current global conflicts, noting that the world has seen a high number of armed conflicts in recent years. The ceremony also featured a dialogue between journalist Iñaki Gabilondo and actress Ana Belén regarding Casals' legacy as a symbol of peace and human rights.