Thousands Protest Decline of Galician Language in Santiago de Compostela

Thousands March for Galician Language in Santiago de Compostela Santiago de Compostela, Spain – On May 17th, Día das Letras Galegas (Galician Literature Day), thousands of people took to the streets of Santiago de Compostela to protest the decline of the Galician language. The demonstration, organized by the Queremos Galego platform, saw participants from various groups, including political parties and labor unions, marching through the city center. The event highlighted the growing concern over the language's future and the need for increased government support. José Ramón Gómez Besteiro, secretary-general of the PSdeG (Galician Socialist Party), addressed the issue, urging young people to embrace the Galician language. "We must take it out of the family environment, the teaching environment, the workplace, and leisure settings," Besteiro stated, emphasizing the need for a collective commitment to defend the language and identity. The demonstration underscores the ongoing struggle to preserve Galician in a region where Spanish is increasingly dominant. The march ended in Obradoiro Square, where participants waved Galician flags and chanted slogans such as "Galiza ten futuro en Galego" ("Galicia has a future in Galician"). The event served as a powerful symbol of the community's determination to protect its linguistic heritage. The demonstration's size and the participation of diverse groups suggest a growing movement to revitalize the Galician language.