Xavier González-Costa: words that describe country

Poet, communicator, and cultural activist. Xavier González-Costa is one of those voices that transforms collective feelings into verse. Born in Berga and deeply connected to the roots of Catalonia, he is known, among many other things, for being the original author of "L'escut al pit," the official anthem for the 125th anniversary of FC Barcelona, set to music by Carles Cases, produced by Josep Montero i Alizzz, and performed by the Orfeó Català i Dracs in 1991.

But behind this success is a person who loves all of Catalonia, from the stone of a Romanesque church to the Gothic Quarter of a night of waiting, from a traditional festival to the most modern of stadiums. With him, we travel through a country rich in symbols, emotions, and inspirations.

A Catalonia made of feelings, history and creation

What is your favorite spot in Catalonia?

Catalonia. All of it. I couldn't choose just one. Berguedà, of course, is my home, and it boasts beautiful landscapes at the foot of the Pyrenees, a fascinating industrial legacy with textile colonies and mining operations, Romanesque architecture, and a tradition like the Patum, which transforms us into living history, a miracle that transcends the festival, transformed by centuries and centuries. But also the Costa Brava, Barcelona, Girona, Empúries, Montserrat, Tarragona...

Every village in the country has something that connects with our history and art. And for that very reason, my favorite spot is all of Catalonia.

Is there any place in Catalonia that brings back childhood memories?

Pedraforca. It was a personal challenge to climb it for the first time, when I was a child. And I still remember it because, up there, on the fork, I, the son of Pasqual and Agnès de las Sardanas, danced our dance for the first time. It was a very curious experience, with images I've never forgotten, like the one of the double bass player climbing the scree with the instrument on his back.

Pedraforca is magical, legendary, always impressive, no matter where you look at it.

Pedraforca, a symbol of Berguedà, is a mountain of unique shapes and magnetic energy. Mythical, natural, and cultural, it has inspired generations and continues to captivate those who set foot on it... or dream of it.

What Catalan experience or tradition do you think everyone should experience at least once?

The Patum. Without a doubt. It's not just history, a festival, or a tradition; it's pure emotion. And emotions can't be explained; they must be experienced. It's not enough to watch it on a screen. You have to come to Berga, let yourself be carried away by the square, by the people who love it, by the fire, and by the music. Always with common sense and respect. Only then can you come to understand what the Patum is, what it means, and how it has been able to perpetuate itself.

If you had to recommend just one thing to someone visiting Catalonia for the first time, what would it be?

Modernism. Yes, we have landscapes, mountains, coastline, gastronomy, and wonderful artists. But all of this, with nuances, can also be found in other places around the world. However, Catalan Modernism is unique. From the Sagrada Familia and the Palau de la Música to the Colonia Güell and the Artigas Gardens in Pobla de Lillet.

It is an original artistic expression that unites nature and architecture, ingenuity and emotion, as a genuine example of the character and personality of our ancient and long-suffering country, Catalonia.

Catalan modernism is art transformed into an urban landscape. Gaudí, Domènech, Montaner, and Jujol made stone tell stories, turning Catalonia into a living, open-air museum.

What corner of Catalonia have you still wanted to discover?

The new Camp Nou. It may sound strange, but I'm very excited to see what this renovated temple of Barcelona will look like. Following the construction has generated excitement, making me especially excited to see it finished, modern, and transformed into the best stadium in the world.

Is there any place in Catalonia that has inspired your work?

Many. Queralt, La Patum... are almost inevitable inspirations for someone from Berga. But today I want to talk about one of my plays, L'Anticuari, because the idea came to me while walking through Barcelona's Gothic Quarter on a special night. We were waiting for our daughter to be born, and that walk through one of the oldest and most historic spaces in the country gave me inspiration.

Xavier González-Costa reminds us that Catalonia is much more than a map: it is feeling, heritage, and inspiration. With his words, he invites us to look at the country through the eyes of a poet, to listen to it like someone waiting for a song… and to feel it like someone experiencing a festival or writing a poem.

Because there are sites that tell you stories, and there are others that ask you to be the one to write them.