Catalonia Independence
A social conflict in pictures
Thousands Celebrate Catalan Parliament’s Independence Vote
Barcelona, Spain. 27 October, 2017:
A Catalan separatist holds a scarf as he celebrates the parliaments independence vote in front of the ‘Generalitat’ shouting slogans
Thousands of Catalans Gather Against Independence
Barcelona, Spain. 29 October, 2017:
An anti-separatist Catalan shouts slogans as he protests for the indivisibility Spain’s two days after the Catalan parliament has voted and the Spanish central government triggered article 155 to take control over the region
Catalonia Independence General Strike
October 3, 2017 – Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – Thousands of Catalan pro-independence activists shout slogans as they march through Barcelona during a general strike in defense of rights and freedoms after police violence during the secession referendum at October 1st. Spain’s Central Government denies that there have been a referendum and does not accept the result as the Catalan referendum law had been suspended by Spain’s constitutional court
Pro-Independence Farmers Rally In Barcelona
October 10, 2017 – Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain – Catalan pro-independence farmers from the surrounding rural areas gather in Barcelona in support of the proclamation of a Republic in the Catalan Parliament after a secession referendum at October 1st. Spain’s Central Government denies that there have been a referendum and does not accept the result as the Catalan referendum law had been suspended by Spain’s constitutional court
Thousands of Catalans Gather Against Independence
Barcelona, Spain. 29 October, 2017:
Anti-separatist Catalans march with a giant Catalan flag through the city of Barcelona as they protest for the indivisibility Spain’s two days after the Catalan parliament has voted and the Spanish central government triggered article 155 to take control over the region
Thousands of Anti-independence Activists March Against Secession Referendum
Barcelona, Spain. 30 September, 2017:
Thousands of anti-independence demonstrators shout ‘this is our police’ as they pass a National Police station on their walk through the city of Barcelona in protest for the unity of Spain on the eve of a planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Day Of Local Castellers – La Merce 2016
Barcelona, Spain. 24th September, 2016:
Pro-independence supporters hang a giant ‘estelada’ flag on the facade of a building facing the St Jaume Place demanding ‘freedom’ during the local ‘Castellers’ day at the Merce 2016
‘We Stop the Coup’ Demonstration in Barcelona Underway
Anti-independence demonstrators with their placards shout slogans under a giant Spanish flag in front of the Generalitat in Barcelona against a hypothetical independence of Catalonia from Spain
Catalan Secession Referendum
Barcelona, Spain. 30 September, 2017:
A ‘Goodbye Spain’ painting including the swastika for the ‘s’ is seen a day before the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Core of Catalan Independence Referendum Arrested
Barcelona, Spain. 20 September, 2017:
Catalan separatists wave ‘Estelada’ flags and placards as they protest in front of the Catalan Economy Ministry as police officers search offices and arrests 12 senior officials in run-up to planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Core of Catalan Independence Referendum Arrested
Barcelona, Spain. 20 September, 2017:
Catalan separatists hold their papers calling for a vote (no matter what) in the referendum as they protest in front of the Catalan Economy Ministry as police officers search offices and arrests 12 senior officials in run-up to planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Core of Catalan Independence Referendum Arrested
Barcelona, Spain. 20 September, 2017:
Catalan separatists with their placard reading ‘we can call it already dictatorship’ protest in front of the Catalan Economy Ministry as police officers search offices and arrests 12 senior officials in run-up to planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Diada 2015 – National Day Catalonia
The ‘Miquelets de Catalunya’ (irregular Catalan and Valencian mountain light troops in the 17th and 18th centuries) march in their traditional uniforms through the city of Barcelona on the ‘Diada’ 2015, Catalonia’s national day
Thousands of Catalans Gather Against Independence on Columbus Day
Barcelona, Spain. 12 October, 2017: Anti-separatist Catalans shout slogans as they march through the city of Barcelona as they protest for the indivisibility Spain’s two days after a suspended independence declared by the pro-separatist Catalan Government
Thousands of Catalans Gather Against Independence on Columbus Day
October 12th, 2017. Barcelona, Spain: Anti-separatist Catalans shout slogans as they march through the city of Barcelona as they protest for the indivisibility Spain’s two days after a suspended independence declared by the pro-separatist Catalan Government
Thousands of Catalans Gather For The Unity Of Spain On Columbus Day
Barcelona, Spain. 12th October, 2016:
Anti-separatist Catalans march with a giant Spanish-Catalan banner through the city of Barcelona as they protest against the unilateral disconnection plan of the pro-separatist Catalan Government on Spain’s National Day
The ‘Diada’ 2017, Catalonia’s National Day
Barcelona, Spain. 11 September, 2017:
The ‘Miquelets of Barcelona’, historic dressed soldiers, salute in front of the ‘Fosser de Moreres’ monument on the ‘Diada’ (Catalan National Day) in Barcelona
Thousands of Catalans Gather For The Unity Of Spain On Columbus Day
Barcelona, Spain. 12th October, 2016:
Girls with Spanish colors painted on their face shout slogans during the celebration of Spain’s National Day in Barcelona
Former Catalan Leaders Jailed
Barcelona, Spain. 2 November, 2017:
Catalan separatists with their placards demanding ‘freedom for the political prisoners’ shout slogans as they protest in support of 8 members of the former Catalan government are remanded in custody after their appearance at court to declare over rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds in relation with a banned referendum on secession and the independence vote at the Catalan Parliament. The Spanish central government has triggered article 155 to take control over the region after the Catalan parliament has voted the independence of Catalonia in form of a republic
Demonstrators march for the unity of Spain on Constitution Day in Barcelona
December 6th, 2015. Barcelona, Spain: A demonstrator give kisses to someone on a balcony decorated with an independence flag as she protests for the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation and against a hypothetical independence of Catalonia on the Spanish constitution day.
March For The Unity Of Spain On Constitution Day In Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain. 6 December, 2016:
A demonstrator raises his Spanish flag while he sings the anthem during a protest for the indissoluble unity of the Spanish nation and against a hypothetical independence of Catalonia on the Spanish constitution day.
Catalan Separatists Gather in Support of Arrested
Barcelona, Spain. 21 September, 2017:
Thousands of Catalan separatists shout slogans as they protest in front of the Catalan High Court for the release of the remaining arrested senior officials in run-up to planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Tens of thousands of Catalans gather for the unity of Spain on Columbus day
Barcelona, Spain. 12 October, 2014: Demonstrators against Catalan independence tendencies enjoy running under a giant half Spanish half Catalan flag during a manifestation on columbus day at Catalonia square in Barcelona
Pro-independence manifestation in Barcelona
October 19th, 2014. Barcelona, Spain: A young child waves the “Estelada” flag standing on the shoulders of her father during a pro-independence act organized by ‘Omnium Cultural’ and the ‘ANC’ at Barcelona’s Catalonia Square
Pro-independence manifestation in Barcelona
October 19th, 2014. Barcelona, Spain: ‘We’ll be free’ can be read among tens of thousands of pro-independence protestors during a pro-independence act organized by ‘Omnium Cultural’ and the ‘ANC’ at Barcelona’s Catalonia Square
Thousands march for Catalonian independence through Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain. September 11th, 2013: A photo of Juan Carlos burns up-side-down at the end of a demonstration on Catalonia’s national day
Pro-Independece Farmers Protest in Support of Referendum
Barcelona, Spain. 29 September, 2017: Catalan pro-independence farmers from the surrounding rural area build enter the city of Barcelona in support of the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Unionists gather for compliance with Spanish constitution in Catalonia
Barcelona, Spain. 18 November, 2015: Anti-separatist Catalans gather in Barcelona’s Plaza de Sant Jaume waving Spanish and Catalan flags to demonstrate against a hypothetical independence from Spain and for the full compliance with the constitution.
Legionaries March At Spanish Armed Forces Day Through BarcelonaMuseum
Barcelona, Spain. 28 May, 2016:
A veteran of the Spanish Legionaries protests against Barcelona’s Mayoress Colau and a hypothetical independence of Catalonia while he marches with more than thousand on the Spanish Armed Forces Day through Barcelona
Pro-Independece Students Strike in Support of ReferendumMuseum
Barcelona, Spain. 28 September, 2017:
Catalan pro-independence students with their ballot papers shout slogans as they gather in front of the historic building of the University of Barcelona in support of the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Pro-Independece Students Strike in Support of ReferendumMuseum
Barcelona, Spain. 28 September, 2017:
Thousands of Catalan pro-independence students with a giant ‘Estelada’ flag shout slogans as they march through Barcelona in support of the planned secession referendum at October1st. Spain’s constitutional court has suspended the Catalan referendum law after the Central Government has challenged it in the Courts
Artur Mas Trial Over ‘9N’ ReferendumMuseum
Barcelona, Spain. 6 February, 2017:
A young Catalan pro-indepence demonstrator shouting slogans is seen among waving ‘estelada’ flags in front of the regional High Court during a demonstration in support of Catalan ex-president Artur Mas at the first day of his trial over his role in 2014’s symbolic independence referendum
Catalan Activists March Against Police Violence
Barcelona, Spain. 2 October, 2017:
Catalan activists shout slogans as they spot a helicopter of the Spanish National Police while they gather to protest police violence during the secession referendum at October 1st. Spain’s Central Government denies that there have been a referendum and does not accept the result as the Catalan referendum law had been suspended by Spain’s constitutional court
Catalan Activists March Against Police ViolenceMuseum
Barcelona, Spain. 2 October, 2017:
Catalan activists raise their hands at Barcelona’s Catalonia Square after a silent march to protest police violence during the secession referendum at October 1st. Spain’s Central Government denies that there have been a referendum and does not accept the result as the Catalan referendum law had been suspended by Spain’s constitutional court
Catalan Activists March Against Police Violence
Barcelona, Spain. 2 October, 2017:
Catalan activists sing the Catalan anthem while they gather at Barcelona’s Catalonia Square after a silent march to protest police violence during the secession referendum at October 1st. Spain’s Central Government denies that there have been a referendum and does not accept the result as the Catalan referendum law had been suspended by Spain’s constitutional court
Torch Processions For Catalonia’s Independence On Diadas Eve
Barcelona, Spain. 10 September, 2017:
A Catalan ‘Miquelet’ in his historic costume takes part in a pro-independence torch procession through Barcelona’s “El Borne” quarter on Catalonia’s National Day eve
Hundreds of thousands form a giant V on the ‘Diada’
Barcelona, Spain. 11 September, 2014:
Tens of thousands of Catalans in red and yellow shirts waving independence flags (Esteladas) gather in Barcelona’s Gran Via on Catalonia’s national day to form a giant ‘V’ to claim a referendum about independence
About
Matthias Oesterle
Graduated graphic designer Matthias Oesterle finds out to be a news and documentary photographer "by accident" when visiting Barcelona's occupied Catalonia Square during the protests of the 15-M Movement back in 2011 out of pure curiosity.
His background of more than 20 years in the world of images as On-Air designer in the news section of the biggest German private TV chain, independent web-designer/developer and Art-Director at one of Spain's leading advertising agencies and his passion for this new "way of life" helps him to capture images that are very soon published in BILD, Daily Mail, the Guardian, EL Pais, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, National Geographic, Paris Match, Smithonian, Spiegel, Stern, Telegraph, the Times, Time, Welt, WSJ etc.
Some of his photos are essential part of the story 'FIESTA!' when Róbert Csere of .týždeň wins the 2015 NPPA Magazine Picture Editor of the Year and a honorable mention for the best story opener. Born in Germany in 1969 he actually lives in Barcelona and Menorca.