Leopoldo Ortega-Monasterio is a wise psychiatrist, with a good pen and good humor, who cheers up the end of meetings by singing, guitar in hand, verses of the old student. After dinner he graced us with some nostalgic Imperial Violets. Sitting and stirring the coffee, he asks me: "Who do you think has been the most important figure in Catalonia?". Discreet provocation towards those who know they don't have a good answer. I hesitate for a few moments and for friendship I decide: "James I the Conqueror". Surprised reaction of the host. "Because?". Improviso: "He was the best monarch of the Crown of Aragon and the first to achieve the most difficult: royalty. I mean: he was a great statesman."
It is not a confession of sympathy, but an attempt to recognize the facts. "King Jacme" was probably the Catalan with the most influence and international resonance and the first great organizer of politics, institutions and, incidentally, the culture of the Catalan-speaking territories. Another thing is that the ambition for power and weapons supported him. He was feared, but not hated. He fought and drove out the Muslims, but he respected the Jews, curbed the acrimonious nobility and knew how to make an agreement with Castile, France and the Pope. He coexisted with none other than Ferdinand the Saint, Alfonso X the Wise, Saint Louis of France and Pope Gregory X.
Cold expression of Ortega-Monasterio, who continues: "And, secondly, what other great Catalan?" There is no doubt here: "Ramon Llull". Wise and inspiring of wise. All recognize his rigor and lucidity. "Obviously", agrees our diner.
"And thirdly?" Answer: "Perhaps Ildefons Cerdà". The great engineer of the modern city and advanced ideas for his time. The next question catches us even more off guard: "And Jordi Pujol?". We risk it: "It will go down in history for the work done, very important. The other things will be remembered less." Follows the psychiatrist friend: "Your ideology...?". It was a nationalism for a specific time and situation, without continuity anymore. After a silence, the author of Un ensayo sobre la maldad begins with another song: "From Santurce to Bilbao / I come por toda la orilla..."
