That the person elevated to the category of home-symbol by the people turned 60 could not go unnoticed; It was obligatory and deserved to pay a public, but above all multitudinous, tribute to Àngel Guimerà.
The action was promoted by the playwright Ignasi Iglésias, president of the organizing commission. Convocation: May 23, 1909, at 10 in the morning in Plaza Catalunya. It was Sunday and the summer sun was shining. Long before, such a huge space seemed almost full.
The accredited set designers Miquel Moragas and Salvador Alarma had designed the stage. The tribune was highlighted between high masts with evocative titles of his poems engraved in popular memory. Four other masts displayed date of birth, first name, last name and the current year. Two large Catalan flags and the city's embroidered shield elegantly framed the central part of the stand.
The Guardia Urbana wore their gala uniform; the municipal band appeared to be in a strategic area as they had to perform Hymn to the Poet, music by maestro Enric Morera and lyrics by Emili Guanyavents.
At 9:45 Guimerà arrived surrounded by the commissioners, and a detachment of the fire department opened the way for them through the compact crowd, in charge of launching the sound signal to inform them that the event was beginning.
Rambla Catalunya was a rushing river of citizens marching decisively towards the square. A large group of actresses and actors, chaired by the venerated Iscle Soler, stood out at the head of the show.
The parade of institutions, entities and groups behind their flag or banner was incessant.
The mayor Albert Bastardas delivered a long and heated speech, culminating with this wish received with a thunderous clamor: "Dear poet: live many years for the glory of Catalonia, poetry and freedom!".
A Guimerà fatigued by the accumulation of emotions and the three and a half sunny hours that had lasted the act, it was the shortest. His last words: "At this moment, I wouldn't mind dying, but I want to live to work for Catalonia and to be able to give back just a little bit of what he has done for me
He was cheered when he went out onto the balcony of the neighboring Maison Doré, the best restaurant, where the banquet was offered.
