Yesterday the mayor of València María José Catalá said that it was “Fallas day”, that very native way of explaining the good weather and the party as a whole. She explained it by tying the Real Senyera tightly, of which she was the bearer yesterday for the second time in its history. The first was in 2019, in that case as spokesperson for the PP in the Valencian council. Yesterday she did it as mayor, especially excited. The excitement could also be seen at the foot of the municipal balcony in Nuria Llopis, PSPV councilor and the youngest councilor of the corporation, who was one of the bearers along with the representative of Compromís, Papi Robles, and that of Vox, Cecilia Carmen Herrero , accompanying the mayor.
"That we know how to say very loudly what our Anthem says, that of 'songs of love and hymns of peace,'" Catalá asked before starting the walk. He also appealed to “concord” to teach “the little ones who are in the streets today who we are: peaceful, generous, hard-working and hard-working people,” he summarized. The mayor maintained a festive tone, in keeping with the day.
Decorated streets and a route that started in the Town Hall square, yes, with strong security measures. Crowds of National Police agents were checking the route along the margins, glued to the fences where citizens waited to applaud and/or cheer.
Some “Catalan forum” was heard, just a few meters before where a group of attendees were located with stickers demanding the Puig Standards and a banner inviting them to dispense with the Valencian Academy of Language. It was just an anecdote.
Meters later, on Calle de las Barcas, a man faced the procession as the armed forces passed by and blurted out “the Army is here to defend the unity of Spain!” He was accompanied by some applause, but little else. No incidents were noted, although there was disagreement over the modification introduced this year by the local government, when celebrating the TeDeum again with the entry of the Senyera into the Cathedral of Valencia. Both PSPV and Compromís criticized the measure at the beginning and warned that they would not enter.
Former mayor Joan Ribó, current spokesperson for Compromís in the City Council, explained that "we do not agree with the Te Deum within the procession because in Valencia there are 40% of people who are not believers, and there is another 3% who profess other religions". For this reason, Ribó added, "if you want to make a Te Deum, let it be made after the civic procession."
For her part, the socialist spokesperson, Sandra Gómez, lamented, "saddened", that this year the procession was "very marked" by the entry of the Procession into the Te Deum celebration. "When you wear the Senyera, you have to be aware that you are not representing any party or a part of the population, but rather the entire city and the Valencian Community." Gómez also predicts that the future "will prevail again and the Senyera will once again walk the streets without anyone taking her to a place closed to a few," she added.
Said and done, at the Puerta de los Hierros both political groups stood out on the right, but not before receiving boos from a group of citizens stationed on the front line. A "aneu-se'n a Barcelona que és lo vostre (go to Barcelona, that's your thing)" was heard. The party covered up the fight.
The full Council, starting with its president, Carlos Mazón, entered the temple, as well as the president of the Corts Valencianes, Llanos Masó and the president of the Senate, Pedro Rollán. Inside, solemnity in an event that Enrique Benavent presided over for the first time as Archbishop of Valencia. Entirely in Valencian in his speech, Benavent pointed out that “the history of the Valencian people cannot be understood if it is not in the sign of the Christian faith.” And accompanied by the bishop of Orihuela-Alicante, José Ignacio Munilla, and the bishop of Segorbe-Castellón, Casimiro López, he claimed that these are "sister dioceses that are part of our land and our people and that join our celebration." .
When the procession resumed its passage, it did so along Avellanas Street towards the Parterre along Peace Street, on a journey full of people. Few flags, a lot of heat and a lot of fans led to a quiet route that culminated in front of the statue of Jaume I, who 785 years before had conquered Valencia.
Also in the afternoon, the traditional nationalist demonstration called by Acció Cultural del País Valencia, ACPV, and other social groups was held. The march took place without incident and with a strong police presence. In this edition, the demonstration was called with the motto “País Valenciancià anti-feixista” and took place through the center of the city. Among those who attended the demonstration was Oriol Junqueras, president of ERC
