The Day of April 25 in Alicante: an act of resistance
In 2025 it marks a new stage of vindication of national and social rights in the Valencian Country, with Alicante as the main stage. The city will host the commemorative manifestation of April 25, an event that seeks to strengthen the social and cultural cohesion of the territory in the face of conservative policies that threaten linguistic diversity.
Struggle for language and identity
In this edition, the defense of linguistic rights and access to an education in Valencian will be central topics. Anna Oliver, President of Cultural Action of the Valencian Country, emphasizes that celebrating this day in Alicante symbolizes the unity of the territory and the important role that different counties play in the preservation of cultural identity.
A forceful message
The motto of the manifestation, “a village struggling, a village living!”, Reflects the determination of various independence organizations, who come together to make their voice heard in defense of the Valencian language and culture.
Activities and mobilizations
The rally is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at 6 p.m., starting at the IES Jordi Joan stairs. In addition to the march, complementary activities have been organized such as a round table and a tribute to Ovidi Montllor, which will include musical performances by various artists.
The current situation of the Valencian
The rise of the PP and Vox has led to a wave of reforms that threaten the normalization of Valencian in education and the media. The controversial law of “educational freedom” dramatically reduces teaching in Valencian, with serious consequences for the use of the language in classrooms.
Worrying results
The data of the language consultation reveal a worrying tendency towards Spanish in many counties. In places like the Middle Vinalopó, support for Valencian has fallen dramatically, reflecting an important challenge for the language.
The defense of the Valencian in the media
Castilianization of the public media is another battle front. The Audiovisual Corporation of the Valencian Community has announced changes that allow to issue content in Spanish, which has caused a strong rejection among the proponents of the language.
A reminder of the story
This is not the first time Alicante has welcomed this day; It was already the scene of great mobilizations in the past. This year marks the forty years of the march of 1985, which gathered more than 30,000 people in defense of the language. This story is a reminder that the struggle for Valencian identity is still alive.
Final reflections
This year’s mobilizations are not only seeking to make visible the current situation of Valencian, but also to claim a future in which the Valencian language and culture can prosper. The determination of the Valencians to defend their cultural identity is more important than ever, and the voices that cry for justice and equality will not be silenced.
