singer-songwriters Joan Manuel Serrat and Maria del Mar Bonet They were awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Barcelona (UB) this Monday for their “contribution to the renewal of Catalan popular music in the framework of the struggle for the restoration of language and culture against the extermination of Francoism” through Els. Set up the juries.
In solemn action in the Auditorium of UB’s historic building, Serrat and Bonet were honored for their contribution to “reclaiming the world”. folk traditional music and one of the great poets of yesterday and today; excellence in the art of musical and poetic composition and interpretation; and its commitment to freedom, solidarity, democracy and human rights”.
Serrat was grateful to be appreciated by his UB and chose to fight for freedom against those who “want for himself but do not give to others” and think so. Freedom is to think as others think in their own words.
According to him, most citizens think: “They were born free, but you have to roll up your sleeves and fight every day.”
“(Some) tend to be stripped of spaces of freedom, and more and more people are being deprived of freedom; the less freedom, the more vulnerable” He added and asked about dreams, he chose optimism in life.
“Freedom of expression”
Maria del Mar Bonet, on the other hand, expressed her happiness at receiving this recognition with Serrat and being awarded by UB, her university, for “demanding freedom of expression in the 70s”.
He stressed the importance of the city of Barcelona to himself, where he met Els Setze Jutges, of which he was a part with Serrat, and whom he believed “played a decisive role in the recovery of Catalan culture and music in the face of dictatorship”. that was against it”.
He warned of the current state of freedom that “a wave of fascists has arisen, returning to visible physical places and trying to ban everything that was forbidden at the time, whether they liked or disliked it.” “, and he affirmed in his own words that this situation led to the need to go out again to defend freedom.
Recognition
UB rector Joan Gàrdia appreciated The skill and determination of Serrat and Bonet, In addition to the struggle for values he defended as a university student, he used the phrase “today is a good day” based on Serrat’s song “Today could be a great day”.
Honoris causa’s godfather, Agustí Alcoberro, confirmed that “it’s not the first time” UB has given this distinction to someone from the music world since acquiring soprano Victoria de los Ángeles in 1987.Italian chef Ricardo Mutti in 2003, chef Jordi Savall in 2006 and soprano Montserrat Caballé in 2010.
In the play, Bonet interpreted the song. ‘Sa Cabana Madonna’, She did it in the week of 8M International Women’s Day, in honor of the “feminine feeling that she has to push forward” and at a time she sees it as a hopeful moment for women.
on his behalfSerrat sang ‘Pare’ and recalled his time at the UB Faculty of Science and the work of the professors he had.
Participants include Francina Armengol, head of the Balearic Government; Natàlia Garriga, Minister of Culture of the Generalitat; Assumpta Escarp, second vice-president of the parliament and deputy of the PSC Units; and Jordi Martí, Deputy Mayor for Culture of the Barcelona City Council.
The President also attended Together, Laura Borràs; Josep Lluís Trapero, major and former commissioner of Mossos; former Health Minister Josep Maria Argimon; Bonaventura Clotet; and David Fernàndez, former Member of Parliament for the Union and Progress, as well as other representatives of Catalan politics and society.
At the end of the action, two distinguished ‘Cançó de l’amor petit’ interpreted, Serrat’s; It ended with the UB choir singing the university anthem ‘Canticorum iubillo’.