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66-584: The territory of El Bierzo includes most of the upper basin of the Sil river . It is surrounded by mountains on all sides, which makes this area remarkably isolated from all neighbouring lands. In pre-Roman times the region was populated by the Astures , a Hispano-Celtic Gallaecian people. They were conquered by Emperor Augustus in the Astur-Cantabrian Wars (29–19 BC) and the area quickly became

132-419: A greater political spectrum, with different currents and parties inside it. The first meeting was held on 15 May, with the participation of AN-PG, UPG, PSG, Galiza Ceibe-OLN, Assembly of Galician Nationalists, Libertarian Collective "Arco da Vella" and independents of Santiago de Compostela and A Coruña . All this organizations and independents had signed an appeal for the unity of Galician nationalism ; under

198-650: A large group of members of the PSG split and continued to work inside the BNG with the name Socialist Collective (CS). In 1984 the PSG merged with Galician Left (EG), to create a new party: Galician Socialist Party–Galician Left (PSG-EG). The National Day of Galicia of 1983, the BNG called for a demonstration in Santiago de Compostela, attended by between 7,000 (according to the Spanish Police ) and 15,000 (according to

264-507: A new youth organization , is founded, fully becoming part of the BNG. Galiza Nova replaced Galician Revolutionary Students (ERGA) as its youth-wing. The front celebrated the National Day of Galicia of that year with a demonstration (attended by 10,000 people) with the slogan "Common project", that wanted to summarize the renewed political line of the 3rd National Assembly. Due to the wave of forest fires that inundated Galicia that year,

330-481: A radical improvement of the region's infrastructure. The economy is now based mainly on tourism, agriculture (fruit and wine ), wind power generation and slate mining. Important factors contributing to the recent boom of the tourism industry in the region are the increasing popularity of the Way of St. James (Spanish: Camino de Santiago ; a pilgrimage route that goes from France to Santiago de Compostela , Galicia),

396-452: A rich source of alluvial gold, and was most extensively exploited during the Roman period, following the conquest of north-west Spain by Augustus in 25 BC. The upper reaches of the river possessed large placer deposits, and the region around Las Médulas yielded large amounts of gold. It was extracted using hydraulic mining , involving the building of numerous aqueducts to expose and wash

462-526: A serious minimum political program. Despite this, ANG members continued to work individually on the creation of the new front. On 25 and 26 September 1982, the founding assembly took place on the Fronton Municipal of Riazor, A Coruña . This new force was defined as "interclassist", seeking to defend all the Galician "popular classes". The Estreleira was chosen as the official flag, and (after

528-599: A support for the idea. Nonetheless, the hegemonic UPG has supported independence again since 2011 while preserving its left-wing core. Following the National Assembly of Amio (2012), the whole front readopted the idea of independence and the creation of a Galician republic. That same year, the BNG adopted a critical position towards the European Union . The BNG supports the State of Palestine within

594-524: A very close voting) "Galician Nationalist Bloc" was chosen as the new name. This assembly also approved the five basic principles of BNG: 1. Galiza [Galicia], as a nation, has the rights of self-determination and of exercising its national sovereignty . 2. Defense of democracy and popular interests. 3. The need for political and social self-organization, and non-dependency in the relations of Galiza. 4. Solidarity, anti-imperialism , peace and international disarmament. 5. A social model that promotes

660-816: A very limited use. The Galician language, in addition to Galicia, is also spoken in western El Bierzo and a small area called As Portelas in the westernmost part of the province of Zamora , both areas in the community of Castile and Leon ; the teaching of Galician in public education is allowed in those areas under an agreement between the Education Departments of Galicia and Castile and Leon. In 2005–2006 there were 844 students studying in 9 municipalities of El Bierzo, with 47 teachers, and in 2008–2009 more than 1000 students enrolled in Galician courses in El Bierzo and As Portelas, although many of them are children of immigrants from Galicia. In addition to that,

726-498: Is a political party from Galicia , formed with the merger of a series of left-wing Galician nationalist parties. It is self-defined as a "patriotic front ". Founded in 1982 under the guidance of historical leader Xosé Manuel Beiras , the BNG calls for further devolution of powers to the Parliament of Galicia and the official and unambiguous recognition of Galicia as a nation. The BNG also promotes affirmative action for

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792-525: Is a pro-independence, anticapitalist , anti-globalization , republican and anti-imperialist organization. Other groups that split were the more moderate social-democratic and autonomist Máis Galiza , Nationalist Left and the Galician Nationalist Party-Galicianist Party (PNG-PG). They formed Commitment to Galicia (CxG), a social-democratic and autonomist organization. No CxG deputies were elected at

858-565: The 1936 statute of autonomy , demanding self-determination and an end to "historical manipulation". The BNG also campaigned against the entry of Galicia in the European Economic Community . On 7 and 8 February 1987 the III National Assembly took place at O Carballiño . Party members approved the mechanisms that allowed the "updating" of the tactics and forms of political work of the front, by starting

924-471: The 2012 Galician election . In 2016, as part of a self-proclaimed "refoundation" of the party, Ana Pontón was elected national spokesperson. This marked the first time a woman held such a prominent position within the party. She also serves as the party's candidate as the party's candidate for President of the Xunta de Galicia in the 2016 , 2020 , and 2024 regional elections. In each of these elections,

990-672: The Galician Parliament to its second best result in 1997 when, under the leadership of Xosé Manuel Beiras , it won almost 25 per cent of the total vote and 18 seats (out of 75) at the Parliament. After the 2001 Galician elections, the BNG still was the second-largest political group in the Galician Parliament with 17 seats, slightly ahead of the Socialists' Party of Galicia (PSdG) in total votes. Yet it

1056-599: The Galician elections of 1985 , the front only gained one seat (occupied by Xosé Manuel Beiras ). This time, the MP was allowed to take the seat in exchange for "promising" to comply with the constitution (but not taking the Oath). The bad electoral results culminated in an internal debate which ended with the convening of an extraordinary National Assembly, held at Santiago on 15 December. BNG ratified its political tactic of accepting

1122-720: The Galician language . The current leader—the president of the National Council and national spokesperson—is Ana Pontón . The BNG has strong ties with the Galician Trade Union Confederation ( Confederación Intersindical Galega , CIG), with the student union Erguer-Estudantes da Galiza (Stand Up–Students of Galiza), the agrarian unions Galician Peasant Union ( Sindicato Labrego Galego , SLG) and Galician Rural Federation ( FRUGA ), and with environmentalist, feminist and Galician language organizations. From 2005 to 2009, BNG

1188-605: The Spanish elections of 1993 with the slogan "Galiza with its own strength", obtaining 126,965 votes and getting very close to gaining seats at A Coruña and Pontevedra . Later in the same year, BNG participated in an international conference in Denmark of parties and individuals that opposed the Maastricht Treaty . In the Galician elections of October , the front gained 269,233 votes and 13 seats. Galician Unity ,

1254-519: The autonomous community of Castile and León . The predominant language nowadays is Spanish but the local vernaculars can be classified as either Galician or Leonese ; the Galician traits increase as one moves from east to west. The use of Galician and Leonese in everyday speech has mixed usages. Although both have enjoyed a recent revival through the work of different associations that promote their use and study, Galician has been more favored, extending its area of influence. Leonese continues to have

1320-544: The "popular and national interests". In subsequent meetings, local and regional assemblies were established. Those assemblies discussed the document adopted before the celebration of the founding Assembly. On 11 July, the Assembly of Galician Nationalists (ANG) decided to leave the Permanent Managing Commission, on the grounds that the new front was at the service of the individual parties and lacked

1386-631: The 19th century, which destroyed the majority of the vineyards. Historically part of the Kingdom of León , and briefly a province of its own within the larger Leonese region from 1821 to 1823 , with the new administrative division of Spain in 1833 the majority of the region was integrated in the province of León , with the Valdeorras municipalities becoming part of Galicia . El Bierzo developed its own peculiarities as Galician and Leonese traditions mixed under Castilian influence, and thus

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1452-571: The 350 seats in the Spanish Congress of Deputies . Results in the 2008 Spanish general election were slightly improved (+0.7% in Galicia), although resulting in the same number of seats. Results in local elections have traditionally been good, with a constant increase in the number of seats won, allowing BNG to govern or to, at least, take part in the government coalitions of most Galician large urban centres. BNG lost its single Member of

1518-405: The BNG achieved better results than in the previous one, ultimately reaching a historic total of 25 seats, a significant milestone for Galician nationalism. Ana Pontón has been recognized as a leader who blends nationalism with social issues, practicing an inclusive and moderate leadership style. BNG began its electoral history in a modest way. However, it quickly progressed from a single seat in

1584-589: The BNG boosted, along with several environmentalist associations and groups, the first popular legislative initiative  [ es ] in Galicia, in order to defend the Galician forests. The 4th National Assembly of the organization took place in February 1989 in Lugo . The discussions focused on setting a political strategy to answer the economic crisis that was affecting Galicia at the time. Xosé Manuel Beiras

1650-890: The BNG held a common march in Santiago de Compostela with the PNG-PG. In January 1991, the V National Assembly was held in Vigo . Galiza Nova was fully integrated into the structures of the front. BNG developed an intense campaign that year with the slogan "Galiza self-determination", which culminated on 6 December with a rally in Santiago de Compostela attended by more than 10,000 people. Later on that same year, Inzar and PNG-PG joined BNG. In May 1991, local elections were held . BNG ran in 162 municipalities (out of 311), getting 107,932 votes, 8 mayors ( Allariz , Malpica de Bergantiños , Noia , Corcubión , Vilar de Santos , Ribadeo , Fene , and Carnota ) and 241 town councilors. In 1992,

1716-421: The BNG running alone again, as the only Galician candidacy, and gaining 46,052 votes. In October, general elections were held , with the BNG gaining 47,763 and failing to win any seat again. In 1989, there was a popular movement of protest in the town of Allariz , against the mayor Leopoldo Pérez Camba ( People's Party ), which evolved into a full revolt and ended with the resignation of the local government. After

1782-799: The BNG) people, with the main slogans of "Nationalism: the solution for Galicia" and "Unity in the Anti-imperialist Struggle" . The demonstration was dissolved by the police, leaving various protesters injured. Local elections were held in April of the same year (1983), being the first ones to be run by the BNG. The front obtained 50,491 votes, 117 local councilors and 6 mayors ( Corcubión , Fene , Moaña , Malpica de Bergantiños and Carnota ). The II National Assembly took place in December 1984 in Santiago de Compostela . This assembly defined

1848-614: The BNG, despite not agreeing with its new political line. The same year (1986) the Spanish NATO membership referendum took place, and the Galician Nationalist Bloc campaigned in favor of leaving. Remaining would have won in Spain and in Galicia. In the Spanish elections of 1986 BNG gained 27,049 votes (2.11 of the Galician vote) and no seats. The same year, the party boycotted the official acts of remembrance of

1914-608: The Encontro Irmandinho (led by former BNG president Xosé Manuel Beiras), Movemento Pola Base (formed by grassroots members and backed by the youth section Galiza Nova ), and A Alternativa (supported by former Member of the European Parliament Camilo Nogueira). Furthermore, Anxo Quintana's leadership has been called into question after the poor results of the Galician 2009 elections. Joint affiliation with other political groups outside

1980-714: The European Parliament , Camilo Nogueira , in the 2004 European Parliament election . However, BNG's interests have continued to be represented thanks to alliances established with other parties such as the Basque Nationalist Party and the Catalan Convergence and Union . BNG maintains regular contact with its European group, the European Greens–European Free Alliance , through a permanent representative in

2046-671: The Parliamentary requirement of accepting the constitution. This led to some new internal tensions, particularly inside the UPG. In 1986 this tensions culminates in a split in the UPG, with the more radical sector forming a new political group: Collective 22 March. This collective would create a new organization in July, the Communist Party of National Liberation (PCLN), an independentist and communist party. The PCLN would remain within

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2112-748: The Sil has flows larger than the Miño at the junction. There is a saying that goes, "The Miño has the fame, but the Sil gives it water" (in Spanish, El Miño lleva la fama y el Sil le da el agua ). The Sil river also surpasses the Miño in length by about 20 kilometres (12 mi). The Sil runs through the León districts of Babia, Laciana , El Bierzo and La Cabrera, and Ourense Valdeorras , among other locations across Villablino , Ponferrada , O Barco de Valdeorras , A Rúa , Quiroga and Ribas de Sil . The river has been

2178-573: The Statute of Autonomy of Castile and Leon, in its article No. 5, states: "[We] Shall respect and protect the Galician language and language patterns in places where the language is habitually used." . The number of Galician speakers in El Bierzo is estimated to be about 35,000 people concentrated in the westernmost municipalities of the region. In the last year the Bercianos have made many campaigns to improve Galicians' use in their Comarca, even with

2244-492: The UPG, and consequently the BNG, were strongly left-wing and supported the idea of Galician independence . However, since 1990 BNG had gradually abandoned talk about independence and self-determination , especially since the moderate nationalist party Galician Unity ( Unidade Galega ) joined the coalition. According to its former leader, Anxo Quintana, BNG at that time was not a pro-independence party, although some individuals and organizations within it continued to express

2310-662: The alluvial formations. According to Pokorny and to E. Bascuas , "Sil" would belong to the old European hydronymy , derived from the Indoeuropean root *sei- 'drip, run, humid'. This article about a location in the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article related to a river in Spain is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Galician Nationalist Bloc The Galician Nationalist Bloc ( Galician : Bloque Nacionalista Galego, BNG Galician pronunciation: [beˈneˈɣa] )

2376-538: The basic principles of recognition of the multinational character of the Spanish State, right of self-determination , anti-imperialism , self-government , self-organization, internal pluralism and democracy. This meeting would lead to the establishment of a Permanent National Managing Commission, with 22 members. In addition to the previous groups, Galician Revolutionary Students (ERGA), Nationalist Advance and independents of Vigo and O Condado would also join

2442-414: The chamber. The BNG regulates itself through local, regional and national assemblies in which members can vote for and be elected as regional delegates and thereafter members of the National Council. However, the internal functioning of the party has come into criticism in recent years. As a result, several new organizations calling for "transparency and internal democracy" have formed within the BNG, namely

2508-532: The collaboration of members from the Royal Galician Academy , professors and students from Villafranca del Bierzo . Politically, usually the Galeguist parties defend the use of Galician language in the western Bierzo, parties as Galician Nationalist Bloc or PSdeG , but recently, even right-wing parties like People's Party defend the Galician language in the area. Pachuezu or patsuezu is

2574-457: The conservative and Spanish People's Alliance , while the Galician nationalist parties had a relatively low electoral result. The three MPs of the joint BN-PG and PSG list were expelled from Parliament after they refused to take the oath to the Spanish constitution . The UPG and the AN-PG agreed in early 1982 to reformulate their project, in the form a left-wing nationalist front that would cover

2640-580: The context of Israeli–Palestinian conflict . They have been supportive of BDS measures against Israel and have hosted events, featuring the anti-Zionist group, PFLP , that has been designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union , the United States , Canada , and Japan . The Galician People's Union (UPG) and the Galician Socialist Party (PSG), left-wing Galician nationalist parties, were founded in

2706-608: The designation in 1997 of Las Médulas as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the development of rural tourism lodging and wineries in the area. The Energy City Foundation Spanish: Fundación Ciudad de la Energía was established in Ponferrada in 2006 and is currently overseeing the construction of the National Energy Museum ( Spanish: Museo Nacional de la Energía ) in the city, as well as sponsoring several other initiatives that should further boost tourism and

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2772-638: The early 1960s by anti-Francoist activists. In 1975 the Galician National-Popular Assembly (AN-PG) was founded, as a "mass front" of the UPG to organize protests and preparate a future electoral candidacy. In 1977 the UPG and the AN-PG created the Galician National-Popular Bloc (BN-PG), that run for the first democratic elections since 1936. In October 1981, the first elections for the Parliament of Galicia were held. These elections were won by

2838-637: The economy of the region. 42°40′N 6°45′W  /  42.667°N 6.750°W  / 42.667; -6.750 Sil (river) The Sil is a river in León ( Castile and León ) and Galicia , Spain , a tributary of the Miño . Its total length is 225 kilometres (140 mi). The source of the Sil is in the Cantabrian Mountains in the Leonese town of Villablino . It flows through

2904-488: The election campaign, instead of its own list. After their expulsion, PCLN would create (along with Galiza Ceibe-OLN and local groups) the Galician People's Front (FPG). Later, on the same year, local elections were held , with the front obtaining 61,256 votes, 139 local councilors and 7 mayors ( Corcubión , Carnota , Noia , Ares , Fene , Ribadeo and Malpica de Bergantiños ). In July 1988, Galiza Nova ,

2970-505: The front supported and actively participated in the national general strike on 2 April. During that year, the front also campaigned against the Maastricht Treaty and a group of independents within BNG created the collective Nationalist Left (IN), in an attempt to gain internal power and to lower the influence of the Galician People's Union . The 6th National Assembly was held in March 1993 at A Coruña , with no relevant changes. BNG run for

3036-514: The front, dissatisfied with its political line and the control exercised by the UPG. Encontro Irmandiño abandoned the bloc and joined with Galician Workers' Front (Fronte Obreira Galega), the Galician People's Front (FPG), Movemento pola Base and other collectives to form Anova-Nationalist Brotherhood . Anova obtained four seats in the 2012 Galician election as part of the Galician Left Alternative coalition. Anova

3102-508: The largest mining center of the Empire during the Roman period , where gold and other metals and minerals were extracted. Numerous Roman mining sites are still visible in the area, one of the most spectacular being Las Médulas , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Romans also imported grapevines , and wine production thrived in the region until the propagation of Phylloxera at the end of

3168-495: The late 1980s most mines were closed, and after the collapse of the mining industry the region was for a while in a crisis. However, in the late 1990s the region underwent a major transformation with the establishment of several industrial and services firms, the reintroduction of commercial wine production, the opening of a local branch of the University of León in Ponferrada offering several undergraduate degrees, and in general

3234-510: The name and part of the political line. In the general elections of 1982 , the BNG (still a coalition between the BN-PG and the PSG, since the new front had not yet been registered) gained 38,522 votes and no seats. These election results generated an internal debate within the PSG, which lead to an extraordinary Congress in January 1983, in which the party decided to leave the BNG. Despite this,

3300-400: The new organization should reject all laws and seek full national independence . At a meeting held on 27 June the political program of the organization was approved, without explicitly mentioning independence , although the creation of a Galician state was considered the main final goal. The new organization also wanted to balance institutional presence and social mobilization, to better defend

3366-407: The new project. In spite of the unity, there were great ideological and tactical differences between the different parties. PSG gave great importance to the unity of nationalist trade-unionism and to participating in the institutions. on the other hand, Galiza Ceibe-OLN defended an active boycott of all the elections and a full rupture with the constitutional system. Nationalist Advance defended that

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3432-685: The old PSG-EG, would also join BNG after his electoral failures of that year. In the European elections of 1994 the front won a record 139,221 votes, but failed again to gain any seats. This positive electoral trend would continue in the local elections of 1995 , in which the Bloc obtained 208,098 votes, 428 local councillors and 12 mayors ( Allariz , Vilar de Santos , Fene , Corcubión , As Pontes de García Rodríguez , Cangas do Morrazo , Noia , Vilariño de Conso , Moaña , Bueu , Poio and Rairiz de Veiga ) The increasing unity of Galician nationalism in

3498-519: The overall majority and therefore of the Galician government . In the 2009 elections, a sharp reduction in votes for the PSdG, together with poor results for the BNG (12 seats), forced the left-wing coalition out of government to the benefit of the PPdeG. Meanwhile, the BNG won 208,688 votes (11.37 per cent of the Galician vote, 0.8 of the Spanish total) in the 2004 Spanish general election , gaining two of

3564-476: The political arena also had consequences in other sectors. One of those sectors were unionism, were the old unions National Inter-Union of the Galician Workers (INTG) (aligned with the Galician People's Union -BNG) and General Confederation of Galician Workers (CXTG) (aligned with PSG-EG) merged to create Confederación Intersindical Galega (CIG). In 2012, several parties and individuals abandoned

3630-465: The political position of the BNG in fundamental aspects of its political project, such as environmentalism , feminism , education, Galician language or Galician culture. Throughout that year, BNG developed an enormous political activity against the deindustrialization caused by the policy of "restructuring", actively participating in the three general strikes that took place in Galicia that year. The front also developed actions of protest against what

3696-404: The process of opening the BNG to Galician society. The party also chose a new corporate image. The party tried to form a unitary Galician nationalist candidacy to the European elections of that year , but the talks failed. BNG then rejected a coalition offer made by Herri Batasuna , and decided to run alone, gaining 53,116 votes. The PCLN was expelled from the BNG for supporting Herri Batasuna in

3762-559: The provinces of León and Ourense . The largest city on the Sil is Ponferrada (León). The Sil flows into the Miño upstream from Ourense . The river joins the Miño river in Os Peares, in the province of Ourense . Generally, the hierarchy between rivers is performed by taking into account which junction has more volume and length. In this case, as with the Esla and Pisuerga with the Duero,

3828-492: The region, and it grew to become Spain's largest coal mining corporation. The Spanish National Energy Corporation ( Endesa ) was founded in 1944 and in 1949 it opened Spain's first coal-fueled power plant in Ponferrada, Compostilla I . In 1960 the Bárcena Dam ( Spanish: Pantano de Bárcena ) opened and by the second half of the 20th century the economy of the region was mainly based on mining and electricity generation , both hydroelectric and coal-fueled . Starting in

3894-411: The resignation, Anxo Quintana , a BNG local councilor, was elected as the mayor of the town. Since then, Allariz has been the main stronghold of the BNG (which has won all local elections since 1993 with more than the 60% of the vote). In June 1990, the Permanent Commission made public an economic document, with an analysis on the crisis of Galicia and the solutions to it proposed by the front. In July,

3960-415: The socioeconomic development without dependence and on behalf of the welfare of the whole people. Finally, AN-PG (which will cease to exist de facto after this Assembly), UPG, PSG and various independents joined the front. Galiza Ceibe-OLN decide to leave after the Assembly decided that to participate in all elections, while the Libertarian Collective "Arco da Vella" also left due to their disagreement with

4026-435: The western Asturleonese variant most entrenched in the north of El Bierzo, where there are estimated to be about 4,000 speakers of Leonese. The railroad arrived in the region in 1881, and during World War I local tungsten deposits were exploited to supply the arms industry . In 1918 the Ponferrada Mining, Iron and Steel Company ( Spanish: Minero Siderúrgica de Ponferrada (MSP) ) was founded to exploit coal deposits in

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4092-432: Was considered the appropriation and manipulation of the remains of historic Galician nationalist Alfonso Daniel Rodríguez Castelao , receiving in response a tough police crackdown. Defending the memory of the nationalist politician and intellectual was the main reason for the National Day of Galicia of that year, gaining (for the first time in many years) a permit to enter the historic center of Santiago de Compostela . In

4158-417: Was elected as the candidate for the presidency of Galicia . In the Galician elections of 1989 BNG gained 105,703 votes and 5 MPs. The Galician Nationalist Party-Galicianist Party (PNG-PG) and FPG failed in their attempt to get representation. Galician Socialist Party-Galician Left (PSG-EG) obtained two seats. In June of the same year, the second European elections in the history of Spain were held, with

4224-406: Was granted the administrative status of comarca . Spanish is the official language, but local dialects of Galician and Leonese are also spoken in the westernmost areas and are present in some village toponyms. In the 12th century there was a colony of immigrants from Poitou in the Bierzo. The status of El Bierzo as a shire is recognized by law, and it is the only one officially recognized in

4290-425: Was not until 2005 that BNG could force a coalition government , despite losing four seats and slipping to the third place. The BNG vice-president Anxo Quintana became then the vice-president of Galicia, and BNG could directly appoint a number of conselleiros (ministers) for some government departments. Prior to that, the other major Galician party, the conservative People's Party (PPdeG), had remained in control of

4356-441: Was part of a coalition government along with the Socialists' Party of Galicia , in which its leader, Anxo Quintana , served as the vice-president of the Galician regional government. The BNG is composed of a majority of grassroots independent members and a number of political parties. Traditionally, the largest party and main ideological influence has been the Galician People's Union ( Unión do Povo Galego , UPG). In origin,

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