Tomeu Català, favorite son of Vilafranca: “I have been to the five continents, but I have never forgotten my roots”
The founder of Projecte Home Balears shares the recognition with the people who have accompanied him for more than 40 years: "This title is not only mine"
Vilafranca"I have been to all five continents, but I have never forgotten my roots." Tomeu Català Barceló (Vilafranca de Bonany, 1941) received on Saturday the highest distinction awarded by his town. The founder of Projecte Home Balears was named favorite son in a massive act at the Plaça Major, where he vindicated roots, personal commitment, and the importance of walking accompanied. "The fact of having and living one's own roots gives you strength to continue working and helps you find meaning in what you do from the depths of yourself," Català stated. In front of his neighbors, he added a call: "If you have good roots, do not be afraid. Be who you are."
The Vilafranca City Council plenary session granted him the distinction for "his meritorious and tireless social, humanitarian work and continuous support to the most vulnerable groups," as well as for "his deep connection and esteem" for the municipality. Català founded Projecte Home Balears in 1987, an initiative that has accompanied people with addiction problems and their families for decades.
The new favorite son wanted to share the recognition with all the people who have participated in this task. "Things are done if one is there, if one participates, if one commits to it and does it. Yes, you have to do it, but you don't do it alone," he pointed out. "I am very grateful for the title you give me today, but I know very well that this title is not only mine, but that of many others who have been shaping me every day for more than 40 years at Projecte Home and throughout my life on the path of making Church," he continued.
"One of our own"
The institutional act was marked by the bond between Català and Vilafranca. The municipal culture technician and presenter of the tribute, Jordi Rosselló, summarized this sentiment in three words: “One of our own”. He also argued that, “if anyone had to be a favorite son, which he will be in his lifetime and is a great stroke of luck, it is Bartomeu Català Barceló”.
The mayor, Montserrat Rosselló, opted for a brief and direct intervention. “You deserve this and more, because every day you save a life and a family, or two lives and two families. You are the greatest there is”, he told him. The councilor for Education and Festivities, Marta Oliver, highlighted a career that has contributed “extraordinarily to the well-being of society” and the defense of an idea that has marked Català's work: behind every problem there is a person, a family, and a possibility of change.
Oliver pointed out that the founder of Projecte Home represents “values that Vilafranca wants to preserve”, such as generosity, solidarity, and respect for the dignity of people. “Towns are not just streets, but the people who have grown up there and who, through their actions, have contributed to improving society”, he stated.
The councilwoman of the Assemblea per Vilafranca, Marina Nicolau, recalled, for her part, that thanks to Projecte Home many families have found “an opportunity, a helping hand and, above all, a reason to start over”. Nicolau invited the neighbors to make the honoree's values their own: “A society is only truly fair when it is capable of looking out for those who need it most”.
From his home to the Main Square
The tribute had begun a few hours earlier in front of Tomeu Català's house, on Palma street. There, it was possible to visit the photographic and bibliographic exhibition Tomeu Català, from Vilafranca to the world, a journey through his personal and social trajectory.
After the performance by flutist Enrique Sánchez, a member of the Symphony Orchestra of the Balearic Islands, Aires Vilafranquins and the Galilea Dance School offered the welcome dance. The procession subsequently headed towards the Plaza Mayor, accompanied by the group of xeremiers, and stopped in front of the church stairs while the bells were ringing.
The Vila Canta choir opened the institutional act, during which fragments of interviews with Català and an audiovisual about his trajectory were projected. The tribute also included a performance by Pep Suasi.
Among the attendees were employees, former employees, volunteers, and collaborators of Projecte Home, as well as representatives of entities linked to his activity. The President of the Congress, Francina Armengol; the President of the Council of Mallorca, Llorenç Galmés; the ministers Antònia Estarellas and Manuela García, and the former mayors of Vilafranca Bernat Garí, Joan Bauzà, Toni Nicolau, and Jaume Sansó also attended.
The event culminated with the unveiling of the official portrait and the delivery of the commemorative plaque to a visibly moved Tomeu Català. The founder of Projecte Home now occupies a place of honor in Vilafranca, although he insisted that the recognition also belongs to all the people who have accompanied him on the journey.