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To be honest, I doubt the students scrawling Catalunya Lliure on toilet doors at the Universitat de Barcelona when I was there 17 years ago much cared about the history of the Cathars. Being a regional separatist/nationalist has long been a part of Spain's counter-culture, initially as a reaction to the Franquismo but it has stuck around after that ended. I don't mean to denigrate the identity by saying so, but the 'ancient hatreds' trope is as inaccurate as the idea that this isn't a real, felt identity. Past history is mobilised as a narrative to reinforce current feelings of community, even if elements of that history are contested.
h2o-
Hmm. Interesting. That's different from some of the chats I have had with previous colleagues in Barcelona. But I haven't spent the time there that you clearly have so my grasp may lack your nuance.
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I think that 'ancient rivalries' thing is the answer to a couple of complaints though.
On the left, why was it particularly galling that Franco suppressed the regional language and culture?
On the right, why should it be up to us to prop up Extremadura?
Aroogah
tbc
I think you would need to look at the suppression, and subsequent destruction off, the Cathars as in the 13th century.
Just a smidge longer.