Valencian nationalism faces identity crisis following historical defeat

An analysis of Valencian nationalism suggests that the movement has contributed to the erosion of Valencian identity following the defeat of Fusterian-based nationalism during the Battle of Valencia. The text argues that Valencian nationalists have increasingly adopted Spanish nationalist doctrines, including the acceptance of provincial divisions and the renunciation of specific linguistic and symbolic identifiers.

Drawing on the political theories of Hannah Arendt regarding prejudice, the text posits that these renunciations have not fostered a broader nationalism but have instead consolidated social prejudices. These include the perception of speaking Valencian as an act of violence and the stigmatization of terms like ‘País Valencià’ or the use of the ‘senyera’ flag. The author concludes that the failure of Valencian nationalism to challenge these collective perceptions has made establishing a cohesive national policy extremely difficult forty years after its foundational defeat.