The 1929 International Exhibition was a big step in Catalan Culture. It was one of the major events that proved to the rest of the world that Catalunya is a serious and important place. Placa Espanya is where the magic fountain show takes place every weekend, and has the iconic Palau Nacional museum on top, over looking the entire city.
The biggest cultural icon here however, is not the fountain, but the four columns. These columns represent a lot for Catalunya and is something very close to the hearts of all Catalans. The Columns were constructed prior to the 1929 event and were built to represent the Catalan flag. However, with dictatorship regime in power, and the 1929 event about to take place, the columns were ordered to be demolished. This is a huge political statement that was made by the central government, to take attention of of radical Catalunya and focus on the central government of Madrid.
A recent fight by Catalan nationalists has restored the columns to Placa Espanya, and they are currently a symbol of Catalan pride. and Catalan nationalism. It is both a cultural symbol, as well as a highly political symbol.
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