The University of Barcelona (UB) awarded honorary doctorates to renowned singer-songwriters Joan Manuel Serrat and Maria del Mar Bonet this Monday in recognition of their enduring contribution to renewing Catalan popular music. The award honors their role in preserving language and culture during the long struggle against Francoist censorship and in support of artistic freedom through their artistic work with Els Setze Jutges and other Catalan musical movements.
In a solemn ceremony held at the Auditorium inside UB’s historic building, Serrat and Bonet were celebrated for their efforts to reclaim and enliven folk traditions, and for their standing as eminent poets and composers who have shaped both music and language. The university highlighted their commitment to freedom, solidarity, democracy, and human rights as central to their artistic missions.
Serrat expressed gratitude for the recognition and spoke about defending freedom against those who pursue power without giving it back to others. He emphasized that freedom means allowing diverse voices to be heard and that citizens must stay engaged in the daily work of defending liberty.
He noted a common sentiment, stating that many people believed in personal freedom but the work needed to protect it remains constant and demanding. Serrat underscored that as freedoms tighten in any society, more people risk losing fundamental rights, and he urged optimism while advocating for ongoing public resolve to imagine and realize a freer future.
He added that some people try to erase spaces of freedom, and more and more individuals see their freedoms constrained. Yet he remained hopeful about possibilities for dreamers and activists who insist on pursuing a brighter tomorrow.
Freedom of Expression
Maria del Mar Bonet, in turn, reflected on the pride of receiving the honor alongside Serrat and on the university’s role in recognizing Catalan culture. She recalled how UB provided a platform for the kind of freedom she and her peers demanded in the 1970s, a period marked by a push for cultural and linguistic rights.
Bonet highlighted Barcelona as a city of personal significance, noting that her early artistic associations with Els Setze Jutges were crucial to the revival of Catalan culture and music in the face of dictatorship. She warned that challenges to freedom persist, with today witnessing troubling movements seeking to erase hard-won gains. Bonet stressed the need to defend freedom once again and to keep supporting creative voices that build inclusive dialogue.
Recognition
UB Rector Joan Gàrdia lauded the artistry and determination of Serrat and Bonet, praising their steadfast commitment to values that resonate with university ideals. He framed the moment as a reminder that today can be a good day when culture and education converge to defend democracy and human dignity, echoing Serrat’s own song about hopeful possibilities.
The ceremony’s godfather, Agustí Alcoberro, recalled that UB has a history of honoring figures from the music world, noting past honorees such as soprano Victoria de los Ángeles, Italian chef Riccardo Mutti, musician Jordi Savall, and soprano Montserrat Caballé. These recognitions reflect the university’s long-standing tradition of linking scholarship with cultural leadership.
During the program, Bonet performed the song Sa Cabana Madonna, a tribute aligned with the week of International Women’s Day and the feminine resilience that Bonet champions. Serrat responded with Pare, recalling his time at UB’s Faculty of Science and the influence of his professors who helped shape his artistic path. The performance highlighted the evening’s blend of music, memory, and social commitment.
Among the notable attendees were Francina Armengol, head of the Balearic Government; Natàlia Garriga, Minister of Culture of the Generalitat; Assumpta Escarp, second vice-president of the Parliament and PSC deputy; and Jordi Martí, Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor for Culture. The presence of political and cultural leaders underscored the ceremony’s significance as a national moment for Catalan culture and regional identity.
Also in attendance were Laura Borràs, Josep Lluís Trapero, former Mossos d’Esquadra commissioner; Josep Maria Argimon, former Health Minister; Bonaventura Clotet, and other prominent figures from Catalan politics and society. The event culminated with the UB choir performing the university anthem, Canticorum Iubillo, after the two artists closed the formal proceedings with a closing pair of songs.
In the end, the tribute reinforced the enduring link between Catalan language, music, and civic life, illustrating how culture can become a beacon for freedom and a catalyst for social change. The ceremony served not just as a moment of honor but as a reaffirmation of the values that sustain creative communities in difficult times. This acknowledgment stands as a record of Catalan cultural resilience and the ongoing effort to keep language and artistry alive in a changing world. Attribution: UB press materials and coverage of the event.