The Monmany family, known for their bar-café in the Plaça Major of Montblanc, boasts a long history dating back to the 19th century. Currently, the business is led by Mrs. Remei Foguet Andreu, an elderly, sharp, and deeply rooted woman who lives in the same building as the establishment.
The Monmany lineage began with Josep Monmany Escoté, a 19th-century tailor, who provided a magnificent cultural foundation for his children. His son, Josep Monmany Pérez, served as a court procurator in Montblanc. His brother, Artur Monmany Pérez, founded the first printing press in the Conca de Barberà region in 1900, after recounting his military service journey in the Philippines in a diary.
Following the premature death of Artur Monmany Pérez, his wife, Sebastiana Queralt, took over the business, expanding the printing, stationery, and bookstore activities. Her son, Artur Monmany Queralt, continued the family tradition, although the printing press suffered a brutal looting in 1939 during the Spanish Civil War, with machinery being confiscated.
Later, Artur Monmany Ferré, born in 1929, became a prominent promoter of Catalan identity during the dictatorship, organizing sardanista events and founding the Grup Sardanista Monmany. He married M. Remei Foguet Andreu in 1963. After her husband's death in 1988, Remei continued to lead the family business.
Artur and Remei's son, also named Artur Monmany Foguet, born in 1968, was a founding member of the Torraires de Montblanc human tower group. In 2003, mother and son decided to open a café in the same location, which today offers coffee, vermouth, and a friendly service to customers.
“"Remei continued to have a cat. The one she has now belongs to the 'roof dwellers'. It's a classic like Campari, which I occasionally have at the Monmany's. If I want to make her laugh, I just have to say I want a 'Campari', otherwise I'll fall. After laughing, she adds that only older gentlemen drink Campari."
The article also reflects on the management of Catalan identity, comparing the loss of the Monmany printing press's typography in 1939 to an incident during Pope Leo XIV's visit to the Sagrada Família, where singing Els Segadors was prevented. The loyalty of Remei and Artur to their identity and their town is highlighted.
