Òmnium Cultural

Òmnium Cultural (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈɔmni.um kultuˈɾal]) is an association based in Barcelona, Catalonia. It was originally created in the 1960s to promote the Catalan language and spread Catalan culture.

Over the years it has increased its involvement in broader political issues; in 2012 it committed itself to Catalan independence, specifically demanding the right of self-determination for Catalonia. Jordi Cuixart, then president of Òmnium, was jailed for his involvement in protests preceding the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.

Currently Òmnium claims more than 190,000 members organised in 52 regional offices besides the headquarters in Barcelona.

History

Òmnium Cultural was created on 11 July 1961 in the context of Francoist Spain when the institutional use of Catalan was forbidden. In 1963 the Francoist authorities closed down the association. Òmnium had to continue to exist as a clandestine association between 1963–1967. In 1967, after a long legal case before the Francoist courts, the association won its right to exist and was once again authorised.

In order to promote Catalan culture within the many limits of Francoism, Òmnium was the main creator and sponsor of various awards and literary contests for works published in Catalan, such as the Premi d'Honor de les Lletres Catalanes (1969). In the early 1970s it established the Nit de Santa Llúcia a festival of Catalan literature where three prizes are awarded: the Premi Sant Jordi (novel), the Premi Mercè Rodoreda (short story) and the Premi Carles Riba (poetry).

After the Francoist dictatorship ended in 1975, Òmnium continued its work promoting Catalan language and culture. Once democracy was restored, Òmnium supported and defended Catalan self-government.