Podcast Summary: "Acontece que no es poco"

Episode Title: 10 de febrero de 1810: Napoleón separa Cataluña de España y oficializa el catalán
Host: Nieves Concostrina (SER Podcast)
Date: February 10, 2025

Overview:

In this characteristically sharp and witty episode, Nieves Concostrina explores the brief period when Napoleon separated Cataluña from Spain, established the Catalan language as official, and set the region apart under French jurisdiction. Concostrina uses this historical moment to reflect on Spain's complex relationship with Cataluña, the enduring narratives of independence, and a fascinating, lesser-known protagonist: General Luis de Lacy. As always, the discussion is full of irreverence, historical nuance, and Concostrina’s signature humorous jabs—particularly at the Bourbon monarchy.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Cataluña’s "Independence" under Napoleon

• Historical Context (00:51–02:50):

  • Many consider Catalan independence debates contemporary, but Concostrina insists, “el tema este independentista… viene de más atrás. Napoleón lo vio, aunque no le dio a los independentistas exactamente lo que ellos buscaban.”
  • She half-jokingly suggests that there should be a statue of Napoleon in Plaza Cataluña, since on February 10, 1810, “el emperador de los franceses puso Cataluña bajo su jurisdicción personal, la de él separó Cataluña de España.”
  • Notably, Napoleon “no les dio la independencia… invadía para quedárselos.”

• Catalan Reaction and French Strategy (03:37–05:45):

  • Despite Napoleon’s move, “los catalanes luchaban como si fueran españoles,” suggesting that identity was contested and complicated, not neatly pro-French.
  • Napoleon’s later lament: “acabó lamentándose de que los catalanes lucharan como si fueran españoles,” touches on the irony and complexity of Catalonia’s resistance.

2. Myths and Realities: The Heroic Narrative

• The Story of "El Timbaler del Bruc" (03:37–04:18):
  • Concostrina debunks the myth that a young drummer frightened the French army:
    • “Evidentemente, no la ganó ningún timbaler acojonando a los franceses. La ganaron los somatenes, los voluntarios y las tropas regulares con artillería.”
    • Memorable quote: “Como dijo el poeta en este mundo traidor nada es verdad ni es mentira… todo es según el color del cristal con que se mira.” (04:13)
  • Concostrina highlights how both Spanish nationalists and Catalan nationalists interpret history to fit their narratives.

3. The Administrative Reality: French Division, Language, and Governance

• Napoleon’s Decrees (04:31–05:45):
  • In 1810, all Spanish provinces left of the Ebro—including Catalonia—were placed under Napoleon’s “jurisdicción personal,” with all taxes redirected to him.
  • By 1812, “Napoleón saca otro decreto anexionando oficialmente Cataluña al Imperio francés.”
  • Napoleon introduced the Catalan language as official, and “creó un gobierno catalán”—pleasing only “la elite intelectual” while the average Catalan still saw the French as invaders.

Spotlight: General Luis de Lacy—Soldier, Turncoat, and Tragic Figure

1. Who Was Luis de Lacy? (05:46–07:42)

• A charismatic, daring figure from a military family with Irish and French roots, born in San Roque.
• Initially served in the Spanish army but was expelled for criticizing superiors—“le pillaron unas cartas donde ponía a parir a uno de sus mandos”—and promptly joined the French military.
• Fought under Napoleon throughout Europe until forced to invade Spain—something he tried to avoid.

2. Loyalty, Betrayal, and Downfall (07:46–11:03)

• Lacy’s pivotal moment: After the Dos de Mayo uprising and Madrid executions, “Lazy a desertar, él al fin y al cabo era español, se sentía español.”

• As a Spanish officer, he became prominent for his bravery and organization, particularly in Catalonia, where he “insufló ánimos a las tropas y consiguió que se sumaran muchos voluntarios”—even poisoning food supplies to thwart the French.

• The Cádiz Cortes tasked him with re-establishing Catalan institutions (1812), hoping to win over Catalan sentiment.

• Turning Point:

  • All was in vain: “los catetos españoles partiéndose la cara para que regresara el Borbón Fernando VII… Y todas esas instituciones chorras que han ordenado constituir las Cortes de Cádiz… fuera también.” (09:38–10:51)
  • Lacy led a failed liberal uprising (1817) alongside General Milans del Bosch. Betrayed locally, Lacy was captured and executed—ironically by a panel including General Castaños, whose life he'd previously saved.
  • “A Lazi le pillaron a punto de cruzarla porque lo delató el dueño de una granja, un catalán de allí… El mismo tipo al que le salvó la retirada unos años antes… fue de los que votó para la condena a muerte del general Lazi.” (11:15–13:00)

• Notable Quote:

  • On Fernando VII’s return:
    • “Vivan las cadenas. En 1817 el general Lazi se sublevó… pero los catalanes de a pie estaban más por el Borbón que por aquellos dos militares liberales.”
  • On Lacy’s forgotten legacy:
    • “Aquel tipo que hizo tanto... a lo mejor esta historia ha servido para que muchos de los que viven en alguna de las seis calles llamadas General Lazi que hay en España, pues se estén enterando ahora de que el General Lazi, antes de ser una calle, fue un señor.” (13:37)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Nieves Concostrina’s Provocative Suggestion (01:22):

  • “Los catalanes indepes deberían estar doblemente flipados con Napo... debería haber en mitad de Plaza Cataluña una estatua de Napoleón enorme…”

• On Manipulating History (04:13):

  • “Nada es verdad ni es mentira, todo es según el color del cristal con que se mira.”

• On Bourbons and Trust (11:15):

  • “¿A quién se le ocurre creer la palabra de un Borbón? Estamos tontos.”

• On Lacy’s Fate and Irony (12:20):

  • “Le montaron un consejo de guerra presidido por el General Castaños. El mismo tipo al que le salvó la retirada unos años antes.”

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:51 – Introduction to episode theme, Napoleon and Cataluña
• 01:07 – Early discussion on independence and Napoleon’s real intentions
• 03:37 – Legendary vs. real heroes: the drummer of Bruc and battle myths
• 04:31 – Napoleon’s decrees: taxation, official Catalan, and annexation
• 05:46 – Introduction and backstory of General Luis de Lacy
• 07:42 – Lacy’s desertion and role in Spanish resistance
• 09:38 – The return of the Bourbons: Abolition of liberal advances
• 11:15 – Lacy’s failed rebellion, betrayal, and execution
• 13:37 – The real legacy of General Lacy

Tone and Style

Nieves Concostrina’s narration combines irreverence, sarcasm, and didactic storytelling, using colloquial flourishes and a tongue-in-cheek attitude toward Spanish and Catalan nationalist myths. She is particularly biting in her references to the Bourbon dynasty (“el Más Tuerzo,” “¿a quién se le ocurre creer la palabra de un Borbón? Estamos tontos”).

Summary Takeaway

This episode serves not just as a lesson in the historical complexities of Catalan-Spanish-French relations, but also as a reflection on how myth, heroism, and self-interest shape the stories nations tell about themselves. Through the tragicomic fate of Lacy, listeners are reminded that history isn’t always noble nor neatly divided; sometimes, the street names are all that remain of those who lived—and died—for their beliefs.