The city of Valls is preparing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the passage of the March for Freedom, a key event from the summer of 1976. The ceremony will take place on September 4th at 7 PM in front of the Font de la Llibertat (Fountain of Freedom) in Plaça del Carme, a significant location for the community.
Plaça del Carme witnessed the restoration of the fountain, which was in a state of neglect at the time. Cleaning efforts removed debris and even vehicle wheels, leading to the fountain being renamed the Font de la Llibertat, a gesture closely associated with the March.
The March for Freedom, held in the summer of 1976, was one of the earliest major protest movements of the Spanish transition. Young people from various parts of the Catalan Countries participated in this initiative demanding democratic and national freedoms after forty years of dictatorship.
Former participants and members of the organizing committee have worked to gather testimonies and recall the significance of that experience for Valls. Among those attending the event will be Margarida Aritzeta and Joan Cavallé, who were part of the March and will share their memories.
The Valls City Council will also unveil a commemorative plaque for the 50th anniversary. The event will be attended by the mayor, Dolors Farré, and former participants of the mobilization. The musical part of the ceremony will be performed by Gemma Batalla, founder of the Valls Municipal School of Music.
This commemoration follows up on the event organized ten years ago for the 40th anniversary, which included a round table discussion in Plaça de l'Oli with several March participants.
