The Societat La Lliga de Capellades faces its 125th anniversary, an event commemorating its founding in 1901. Leading the entity since 2014 is Pep Vallès Sanmartí, born in Capellades in 1949, who stated that presiding over the organization in this symbolic year was his main motivation to continue.
Although the founding spirit has evolved since the early 20th century towards a completely open and plural entity, associationism, volunteering, and participation remain the core values. Vallès recalls that the continuity of La Lliga has been endangered more than once due to unforeseen patrimonial issues and periods of low activity, making the current moment even more valuable.
“"Athenaeums are fundamental for consolidating Catalan culture. Among other things, because we are far from politics, which is so discredited, and because we work from the grassroots."
One of the most notable successes of the last decade has been the exponential growth of the social base, increasing from 200 to over 1,650 associates. The president attributes this recovery to cohesive governing boards with the goal of “putting the entity above personal interests” and raising the standard of regular activities offered.
Regarding generational relay, one of the great challenges for centennial entities, Vallès remains optimistic. He assures that the future of La Lliga will not be driven by youth in the abstract, but by those who have experienced the entity and who, over time, will grow older, thus guaranteeing the project's continuity.
