Valencian Community Day, observed on October 9, stands as a personal milestone for Valencians wherever they reside within the community. It is a moment to celebrate shared history, recall personal memories, and reflect on the collective journey. The day represents a public expression of unity, a moment to acknowledge the origin of festivities, gatherings, and harmony as a people have traversed recent history. Autonomy is viewed as the democratic will of Valencia’s people and their right to self-government.
Democratic Will and Self-Government constitute two pillars in this ongoing historical process. Democratic Will is the free voice that fosters self-knowledge and clarifies what the community aspires to and how it wants to achieve it. This will emerges from freedom and is rooted in democratic values. Self-government is understood as an organizational model that strengthens democratic life and helps realize the capacities and goals that define the region.
Everyone approaches the day in their own way, choosing a path that feels most meaningful. Yet the holiday carries a festive, collective spirit that invites shared moments of celebration and recognition. The idea that the festival originated with a conqueror visiting Valencia may be part of memory, but the current commemoration evolved over time. The broader institutional adoption of the holiday came later, extending its reach to the rest of the region. Imagine the moment a conqueror entered Valencia and consider what his thoughts might have been; for many, the important point is that the region continued to grow and change after that encounter. The timeline shows that the area was gradually incorporated and organized, culminating in the present territorial structure that includes Requena and Utiel, joined by 1851.
The author expresses a love of history, especially episodes that feel immediate and relevant. If one pays attention, it becomes clear that history continually shapes what societies value and how they organize themselves. The democratic character of a community ties closely to its social fabric, and understanding that fabric helps explain why the values of social will, democracy as a political model, and self-government as a goal matter beyond mere slogans. When these elements are not strong enough, it invites self-reflection: where does the community stand in its own story, and how does it avoid turning away from the path it has chosen?
This is a moment to remember that a society thrives when differences are acknowledged and used to enrich life. Diversity, spanning geographic and cultural lines, should unite rather than divide, acting as a reminder to reject centralism in any form. The region’s richness lies in its contrasts—the south and the north, the mountains and the sea—every facet contributing to a shared identity. The call is to celebrate not with complaint or cynicism, but with a sense of common purpose and respect for plural viewpoints, recognizing that variety strengthens the community rather than weakening it.
There is no obligation to lament or shout at the heavens. The focus is practical: address issues here and now, and chart a course that moves the region forward. There remain many steps to take, and history shows that progress cannot be erased by a single act. The current era invites a clear memory of the past while embracing a future where the constitution and the autonomy statute support ongoing development. The statute has recently marked a milestone of forty years, a reminder that the framework for autonomy continues to sustain social cohesion and shared responsibility. Mutual understanding and respect for differences are essential to keeping the community moving ahead without letting any force dim its unique character.
From a broader perspective, the concept of memory and its democratic dimension has evolved. Memory in this sense encompasses more than fixed definitions; it includes multiple meanings and voices that together map out the responsibilities of citizens. There is no need to fear asserting what the community stands for or what it aims to preserve. The central idea is to maintain a strong, inclusive identity while remaining open to ideas that shape a healthier society.
The opening sentiment remains valid: this holiday should be lived and celebrated in the best possible way by everyone, including those in the southern areas. The values of respect, tolerance, recognition, equality, and integration—embedded in the constitutional framework and the Autonomy Statute—continue to guide everyday actions. The statute’s fortieth anniversary underscores the ongoing effort to understand and appreciate the people who share this land. The message is simple: stay true to one another, honor differences, and guard against anything that diminishes the sense of belonging.
In a notable reflection, D. Innerarity notes in a treatise that having multiple viewpoints on a subject does not excuse avoiding important choices. It is about deciding what matters, acting when needed, and learning from the outcomes of those decisions. History, in that sense, is shaped by such moments of choice and the consequences that follow. This perspective invites readers to engage thoughtfully with the past while shaping a more inclusive future for the Valencian Community.