Music Francesc Alió, 1892 | Adopted 1993 | |
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Lyrics Emili Guanyavents, 1899 | ||
Els Segadors ([əɫs səɣəˈðos], [eɫs seɣaˈðos]; "The Reapers") is the official national anthem of Catalonia, nationality and autonomous community of Spain.
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History
Though the original song dates in the oral tradition to 1640, its modern lyrics were written by Emili Guanyavents, who won a competition in 1899. The music was standardized by Francesc Alió in 1892. The song is based on the events of 1640 known as Corpus de Sang during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) between Spain, England, France and Austria, the event that started the Catalan Revolt or Guerra dels Segadors (Reapers' War) where Catalans fought against the Count-Duke of Olivares, the chief minister of King Philip IV of Spain.
The Catalan government adopted "Els Segadors" as the national anthem of Catalonia in 1993, by law of its parliament. The official version was made in 1994.
Jordi Savall
Contemporary Catalan composer Jordi Savall made a version of the folk song, using the original narrative (which dates back to the seventeenth century) combined with the modern lyrics and refrain, which were added later.