Exhibitions
Girona paints the language with urban art to reclaim Catalan
Marta Bellvehí signs a mural in the heart of the city as part of the 'April for Catalan' program.
The center of Girona is unveiling a new symbol of cultural commitment to its own language. It is a large-format mural located on Carrer de Joan Maragall, on the walls of the old Clínica Girona, which claims the daily use of Catalan through urban art. The work is the creation of the Girona illustrator Marta Bellvehí and is part of the Abril pel català activity program, promoted by the City Council.
The artistic intervention occupies two facades of the building and is divided into two complementary scenes. In the first, various people appear —of different ages, genders and origins— in everyday situations, accompanied by the message “I choose to speak Catalan every day”. The second part shows a young woman holding up a banner with the slogan “Girona for Catalan”. A red path runs across both surfaces, connecting them visually and evoking the symbolism of the Correllengua.
The project not only has an artistic dimension, but also a social and political one. Mayor Lluc Salellas i Vilar has highlighted that the initiative seeks to strengthen the presence of Catalan in public space at a key moment, while also contributing to revitalizing and dignifying areas of the Eixample that have been underused until now.
The Girona Clinic, owner of the building, also wanted to underline the value of the project. Its manager, Miquel Grabulosa, has highlighted the institution's historical commitment to language and territory, and has celebrated the fact that this space has now become a meeting point between culture, city and identity.
For Bellvehí, the mural also represents a personal milestone. After seven years living in Girona, it is his first intervention of this nature in the city. The artist explained that his proposal aims to reflect everyday situations with which anyone can identify, while highlighting the conscious decision to speak Catalan in everyday life.
“April for Catalan” has included other activities such as debates on linguistic uses, school Scrabble competitions, monologues, gloss sessions and the arrival of the Correllengua flame, thus reinforcing a program that combines reflection, participation and celebration.
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