The Anglo-Catalan Society exists to promote awareness and appreciation of Catalan culture in the British Isles and to encourage cultural relations between the two communities. Membership is open to all persons who share the fundamental objectives of our Society. While the Society serves as a professional forum for those involved in the teaching of Catalan studies, equal importance is attached to the role of bringing together Catalans and 'Catalanophiles' in this country.

Origins and Continuity

The Society was founded in 1954 in Oxford and its first conference was held the following year. In the early days, membership was small and activities were conducted under the shadow of the political situation in post-war Spain. The evolution of the Society, however, has mirrored developments that have occurred on the 'home front' of the Països Catalans as the recovery of political autonomy has been attended by a process of normalized social use of the Catalan language and by a renewed surge in the traditional dynamism of Catalan culture. Current membership is around 230 and expanding. In 1986 the Society was the first award holder of the prestigious Premi Ramon Lull as recognition, by several major academic institutions, of its service to Catalan culture and in 1992 we were honoured to receive the Creu de Sant Jordi, the major accolade bestowed by the Generalitat: events which gave the surest indication of the continuing relevance and value of our efforts.

The main focus of our activities is the annual conference which has been held without interruption since the Society's foundation. These meetings take place in London and in other university centres outside the capital according to circumstances. The programmes cover a wide diversity of topics (linguistic, historical, literary, sociological, musical, etc.) whose common denominator is the Catalan dimension, including Valencia, the Balearics and French Catalonia. Members of the Society are encouraged to present their own research and ideas in these sessions while it is also consistent policy to welcome every year distinguished speakers from the Països Catalans. The Annual General Meeting is also held on these occasions which are characterized always by a friendly and convivial atmosphere.

A major function of the Society is to develop contacts and relations with other bodies whose interests coincide with our own. Among these are the other international societies of Catalan studies, universities where Catalan is taught, official cultural bodies and institutions. This is an area of activity which has expanded since the 1970s with the changes in the Spanish State and the consolidation of autonomous institutions. For example, the Society and Catalan studies in general have benefited of late by an infusion of 'new blood' represented by the young scholars who are sent by the Generalitat to work as Catalan language assistants in various British Universities. These academic links complement the invaluable services of the Society's official representative in Barcelona.

Subscriptions

Socis Protectors and institutions who have corporate membership pay special rates of subscription. The normal subscription is currently 15.00 pounds sterling; a rate of 5.00 pounds sterling is offered to students, to whom significant discounts are also given on the cost of attendance at the Society's meetings.