A HUGE number of members of independence movements across Europe have followed the shocking news about Alex Salmond’s passing and have felt a deep feeling of loss.
He has been very well described by his own people as a "political giant" amongst other impressive descriptions, so it cannot come as a surprise to learn that the respect and recognition for his erudition, passion, and generosity could well go beyond his beloved country, Alba.
These few words are just meant to be a humble tribute from all the many, many friends and unaccountable followers he has amongst the various and diverse independence movements in Europe. His clarity of thought travelled far, and his passion for freedom and justice empowered a general enthusiasm amongst all of us. It didn’t matter where you were from; he unleashed hope, and many adversaries had to work hard to try to counteract.
He mastered the path to the Scottish referendum on independence because he believed in Scottish sovereignty and was an all-around democrat: "We have won a democratic mandate to hold a referendum, and we’ll find a solution to technicalities because that is what Democracy is about."
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This response was a gift to all self-determination movements and an exquisite response to those denying his right to call a referendum.
He loved people, talking to people, and, amazingly for a politician, he enjoyed listening to people. He always had a story to explain about what happened on that morning in that village and was happy explaining what he was told that he didn’t know, probably the very same reason why he knew so much.
When we first met, I was the international representative of the Catalan grassroots movement of the popular referendums (2009-2011). How impressive was it for me to find the First Minister of Scotland actually truly interested in understanding how Catalan people were organising those ‘acts of sovereignty’ not only without any political party leadership but with the political establishment against them.
"How powerful; this is what we need," he told me, and I just found myself saying in response, "I wish you could come and lead our political way to victory."
From that day to his last call last Friday afternoon from North Macedonia, so many lessons learnt from him.
Many, many of you would agree that with Alex, you did not learn only from what he explained but from his gestures. Let me highlight one.
It was 2018, and I was invited as the Catalan speaker of the evening to a full theatre event by the Scottish Independent Convention when, to my huge surprise, I was being introduced to the stage by Alex Salmond.
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I remember thinking: "What’s going on?"
Later, I learnt he stepped aside so Catalonia could have the attention deserved because of the events we were suffering at the time. He knew he was outstanding and gently avoided casting shade on others.
While at the Catalan Summer University (UCE) in 2022, he agreed to numerous interviews with a mix of patience and enthusiasm.
At the Right to Independence conference, he spoke with a clear understanding of the Catalan situation: "You cannot lead people to the top of the mountain and then let them fall," he said.
Alex was always generous towards people, detached from any coercive political setting that could prevent him from speaking his mind. He always held a great trust in Scots, too. In the last Catalan interview I organised for him last month, he said it clearly out loud: "Scottish independence is more probable now than it was before.”
Huge, colossal, epic, Salmond. It could, or not, be a coincidence he passed away in the land of Alexander the Great.
Now it’s our turn to be wise and decisive to restore the freedom of our historical nations.
This goes for Alex: Visca Catalunya! Leve Vlaanderen! Gora Euskal Herria! Es lebe Südtirol! Viva Galiza! Cymru am byth! Viva San Marco! Nunami nammineq! … Saor Alba, dear friend!
We already miss you.
Anna Arqué i Solsona is a prominent Catalan independence activist and vice-rector of Catalan Summer University.
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