René Char, a poet and resistance fighter, wrote notes during his time in the maquis under Nazi occupation. These were published in 1946 under the title Les feuillets d’Hypnos, a book containing a famous aphorism that has been referenced and interpreted by many, including Raimon Obiols and Hannah Arendt. The aphorism states, “No testament precedes our heritage.” It suggests that while we can inherit the historical experiences of those before us, there is no predetermined directive on what to do with it or who the rightful heirs are. This realm belongs to memory, freedom, and intelligence, which can be used to reflect on recent history. In the context of Catalan nationalism post-secessionist failure, it is clear that not only is there no testament, but there is also no inheritance.
The transmission of this inheritance can be seen through the stereotypes of “l’hereu de la casa cremada” and “l’hereu escampa”, referring to the heir who receives a burnt property and the one who squanders the fortune left by their ancestors. The thoughts of Catalan nationalism suggest that there may have been a testament, but upon examination, it is found to be null, useless, or even a hallucination of history. Everything that occurred in the past 12 years seems to have amounted to nothing but empty words and smoke. This situation is not unique, as the passing of time often tests the legacy of significant historical events, such as the failed independence process in Catalonia.
The rupture that began in 2012 introduced unfamiliar concepts that negated the previous Catalan nationalism, which was open, pluralistic, willing to negotiate, pragmatic, effective, supportive of the European project, and respectful of the rule of law. In the best of cases, it was a regrettable experiment that exposed the dysfunctionality of the right to self-determination, secession, and the persistence of the referendum as a solution. The hope for democratic renewal lies in the upcoming Catalan elections, where voters will decide whether to abandon the outdated tradition of Catalan nationalism, which is a shared belief among both the pro-independence camp and those against Catalan identity, or to reclaim the squandered legacy that belonged to all.
It is common for us to believe that our vote in elections will shape the future of our political community. In the case of the upcoming Catalan elections, one of the choices presented will be the recovery of the heritage without testament of Catalan nationalism. This decision will determine if the voters want to declare the old tradition outdated and closed, a sentiment shared by both pro-independence and anti-Catalan forces, or if they wish to reclaim the lost legacy that was once a shared value. The election will serve as a crucial moment in deciding the future direction of Catalan identity and politics.
