On Tuesday, March 3rd, the Armenian General Benevolent Union and the Catalan National Assembly held a joint conference on “Catalonia and the right to self-determination in the 21st century”, in Yerevan, Armenia.
Catalan National Assembly board member Ariadna Isern defended Catalonia’s right to self-determination in the debate, moderated by leading journalist and political analyst Tatul Hakobyan. The public had the chance to speak up, and questions were raised on the subjects of Catalan identity, the relationship with Spain and Europe, and the motivations to support Catalonia’s independence movement.
Ms. Isern rejected the idea of Catalan identity being based on ethnicity, but on a bridge between culture and political belief: “We have our own language and culture, but many people who come from different parts of Spain and the world, Spanish speakers or otherwise, feel Catalan and support Catalan self-determination.”
Ms. Isern described the independence referendum of October 2017 as a turning point “ It was the day we lost fear, the day we realised our own power. Since then, many have seen the failure of democracy in Spain and are supporting us.”
She finished by expressing distrust towards the Spanish government’s role in the dialogue at the negotiating table with their Catalan counterparts: “the only effective way to achieve self-determination is unilaterally. No one can give that to you. And we will receive the support of many who have fought the same fight.”
In case you missed it, the debate can be viewed here: https://www.civilnet.am/live/MBRBw6clxd8/792