Catalonia rejects fear

Moha is only one year older than Moussa, at eighteen. Both have Moroccan roots. The latter was almost in the front row in plaça Catalunya for the minute of silence in memory of the victims and to protest at yesterday’s deadly attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils. The other, is the alleged driver of the van. “I do not understand, I do not understand how anyone can stoop to this level of barbarity. Religion is just an excuse to hide behind,” says Moha, who is accompanied by his father. “I hope that people understand that we are all in the same boat,” he pleads. To get to the middle of the square they had to pass through at least two security checkpoints. Police searched bags and backpacks and removing plastic bottle tops that could used as weapons.

The minute of silence at noon exactly. Applause. Roses raised in the air amidst cries of “no tinc por” “I am not afraid” a spontaneous outcry from Catalan society in response to the barbarity. Catalonia is not afraid.

The banners read “In the Rambla everyone in the world is welcome” and “We will never be slaves to fear.” A pair of Chinese tourists were surprised when asked if they would ever return to Barcelona. “Sure,” they answered naturally.

A Catalan family with daughters of 17 and 14 try to imagine how a boy of their age can commit a massacre. “He sees no future, he has no prospects, only being left out,” explains the mother, who sees in this European capital of Barcelona, its mass tourism and the internationalisation as some way to find a meaning. “I had thought before that someday this would happen to us,” she said.

Many wished to express feelings, to let things out, show pride in Barcelona, a capital of peace, to honour and protest in equal measure. The Speaker of the Catalan Parliament, Carme Forcadell, rendered tribute to the victims.

On the ground at Canaletes, candles, Teddy bears, a printed sheet with a black flag, another of Brazil and one of the European Union. The Rambla was full of tourists, but not like a normal day in August. They walked along the fateful path of the van, crossing the pain of the victims and relatives and outraged, heads bowed low. Tourists love Barcelona and the city loves its tourists back.