Medallion Swap at Barcelona's Iconic Basilica
A stained-glass medallion at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, has been replaced in an initiative timed to Kyiv City Day. The old piece bearing the spelling "Kiev" was removed and a new glass element reading "Kíiv" installed in its place. This change was completed just weeks before the planned consecration of the basilica's central tower.
The head of a Barcelona-based Ukrainian civil society organization proposed the medallion update, which received backing from:
- the Consulate General of Ukraine in Barcelona,
- President of the Parliament of Catalonia Josep Rull,
- and the basilica's chief architect, Jordi Faulí i Oller.
The spelling "Kíiv" aligns with Catalan language norms and reflects the original Ukrainian pronunciation. As Jordi Faulí i Oller explained,
"Above all, this is a matter of justice, because the city's name Kíiv follows the rules of the Catalan academy, which recognizes Kíiv as correct, not Kíev."
Strengthening Cultural Ties Between Ukraine and Catalonia
Now part of the basilica's architectural heritage, the new medallion will be visible to visitors from around the world, highlighting the cultural connections between Ukraine and Catalonia. This gesture marks a meaningful step in recognizing and supporting Ukrainian culture abroad, reinforcing growing bilateral ties and a commitment to accurately representing Ukrainian identity on the global stage. Such an initiative may serve as a model for other nations seeking to acknowledge and uphold cultural distinctiveness internationally.
As the Sagrada Familia embraces this significant change, it reflects a broader trend of acknowledging cultural identities globally. For a deeper understanding of how this initiative aligns with other recent updates regarding the spelling of Kyiv, you can explore more about the adjustments made to the stained glass in Barcelona that highlight the importance of accurate representation.