Marina Vilalta, the longest-serving active shepherd in Catalonia, died this morning at the age of 99. Born in Ogassa (Ripollès), she lived in the Bruguera area, in Ribes de Freser, where until a few days ago she still took her flock to graze.
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Vilalta became a symbol of the pagesia, of love for the land and traditions. In 2024, at 96 years old, the deputies of the Parliament dedicated a tribute to her with applause before starting a plenary session on peasantry, where the shepherd attended as a guest. In 2022 she was recognized with the Creu de Sant Jordi for her career.
She received the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2022
Among the personalities who have expressed condolences and recognition of Marina Vilalta’s figure is the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Òscar Ordeig. In a message on X, the minister recalled that she received the Creu de Sant Jordi in recognition “of a whole life dedicated to peasantry and shepherding, reminding us of the importance of extensive livestock farming for land management.”
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The president of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, has paid tribute to her by recalling that she started at 5 years old and since then “has dedicated a whole life to the countryside, livestock, and keeping our traditions alive” and emphasized that she has been an “example of Catalan peasantry.”
Other political figures who have also wanted to remember her include the former presidents of the Generalitat, Carles Puigdemont and Pere Aragonès. The leader of Junts published a message of thanks “for a lifetime of loyalty to the craft, the landscape, and the country.” For his part, Aragonès also thanked her for a lifetime dedicated to transmitting Catalan traditions. “Catalonia owes her a part of its collective memory,” he added.
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