The forced celebration of San Isidro in Catalonia
On a day like today, 307 years ago, Catalan peasants were forced to celebrate for the first time the festival of their new patron saint, San Isidro. This imposition occurred after the occupation of 1714 and was imposed by the Bourbon regime. San Isidro, originally patron saint of Castilian peasants, replaced San Galderic, patron saint of the Catalan countryside since the 10th century. In addition to the change in patron saint, the date of the celebration was also modified, moving from October 16 to the beginning of the agricultural campaign. .
The strategy of destruction of Catalan culture
The imposition of San Isidro was part of a broader strategy to destroy Catalan culture. The objective was to reduce Catalonia to a simple province of a Castile that became the matrix of the new Spanish nation. This strategy included a series of measures designed to have a significant impact on Catalan society in the 18th century, where the agro-livestock sector represented approximately two-thirds of the country’s population. Furthermore, the society of the time had a strong spiritual influence.
San Isidro and its origin in Madrid
San Isidro, whose figure inspires the celebration, was a character of the lower nobility who lived in Madrid between the 11th and 12th centuries. Although several miracles are attributed to him, his origin and tradition differ from Catalan culture. He was canonized in 1622 and proclaimed patron saint of Madrid. Later, his patronage status was extended to the entire field of the Hispanic monarchy.
The tradition of San Galderic in Catalonia
In Catalonia, the tradition of Saint Galderic dates back to the 10th century. According to legend, Galderic was born in a small town near Carcassonne and performed several miracles throughout his life. He was considered the patron saint of Languedocian and Catalan peasants. His fame spread throughout the Carolingian region and he was buried in the monastery of Sant Martí del Canigó, in the county of Conflent.
