Celebrating the 18th anniversary of the Marcel·lí Library Sunday
Today the Marcel·lí Domingo Library in Tortosa commemorates its 18th anniversary. Its inauguration occurred on July 20, 2006, and the event was chaired by the Minister of Culture, Ferran Mascarell, who also visited the city to offer the proclamation of the Festa del Renaixement.
The construction of the library, which lasted seven years, suffered numerous delays due to the discovery of Andalusian archaeological remains on the site of the old La Mercè school. The project, promoted by the socialist government of Joan Sabaté, had a cost of three million euros and sought to meet the needs of the entire region.
A project with history
What many do not know is that, 75 years before the library was opened in 2006, the cities of Tortosa and Roquetes had already shown interest in creating a regional library dedicated to Marcel·lí Domingo.
A black and white photograph, recently colored thanks to artificial intelligence, reveals a visit by Marcel·lí Domingo to Tortosa on November 29, 1931. This series of 15 images, taken by the photojournalist Josep Maria Sagarra Plana and digitized by the Barcelona Municipal Archive shows Domingo shaking hands with a man holding a flag at an event where several men can be seen posing next to a stack of books.
Reception of Marcel·lí Domingo at the end of 1931
The arrival of Marcel·lí Domingo to Tortosa in November 1931 occurred seven months after the proclamation of the Second Republic on April 14 of that same year. Both Tortosa and Roquetes celebrated the Minister of Public Instruction, known both for his political career and for his work as a teacher, journalist and writer.
Marcel·lí Domingo, the first republican councilor of Tortosa since 1909 and much loved in Roquetes for having opened a secular school together with his brother in 1906, was a central figure among the republicans in the Ebro regions.
A massive tribute
On November 29, 1931, a great tribute took place in Tortosa and Roquetes, with the presence of prominent photojournalists such as Josep Maria Sagarra Plana, whose studio in Via Laietana also included partners such as Josep Gaspar and Pau Lluís Torrents Roig. His photographs appeared in important newspapers such as La Vanguardia, La Humanitat or Diario de Barcelona.
The chronicle of that day indicates that Marcel·lí Domingo’s visit attracted the attention of more than 10,000 people along the route. From early on, bands and crowds filled the streets, with the train from Madrid arriving around 11:40 am. The mayor of Tortosa, Joan Benet Piñana, the civil governor of Tarragona, Ramon Noguer y Comet, and General Domènec Batet i Mestres were some of those who received it.
Featured events during the visit
During the events, multiple honors were paid to Marcel·lí Domingo. In the Plaza de la Pau, next to the municipal market, he gave a speech in which he expressed his gratitude for the speed with which the republican government had handed over the Casa Lonja building to the Tortosa city council, something that even monarchical governments had not done. accomplished.
In addition, the Sant Pere Fishermen’s Society named him honorary president. The event also included the participation of young maidens dressed in traditional costumes, who handed out scrolls naming Domingo as an adopted son of Tortosa.
The Marcel·lí Domingo library project
At the Unió Republicana Center, more than 2,000 books were delivered for the creation of the Marcel·lí Domingo Regional Library, with the presence of numerous prominent figures. However, the fate of these books is uncertain.
Despite initial enthusiasm, construction of the library was left pending for many years due to the Civil War and other historical events. It was not until 2006 that the Marcel·lí Domingo Library opened its doors, thus consolidating a project that had been born in the Republican era.
Importance of the Marcel·lí Domingo Library today
Located between the streets of Mercè and del Vall, the Marcel·lí Domingo Library has become a fundamental element for the community of Tortosa. With modernized spaces and an enriched heritage, it stands as a symbol of culture and education for the region.
Despite historical challenges, perseverance and commitment to education and culture have allowed the realization of a project that began with enthusiasm more than 75 years ago. Together with the Mercè Lleixà Library in Roquetes, inaugurated in 2007, both institutions represent invaluable heritage for the region, consolidating dreams that date back to ancient republican times.
Sagarra’s photographic legacy continues to be an invaluable wealth, capturing crucial moments in Catalan history. His dedication to portraying important events offers future generations a tangible connection to his past.