This week, at a ceremony held in the Parliament of Catalonia, the Millennial Council of the Peace and Truce Assemblies was formally established. Comprising twenty-nine public figures, the Council has been entrusted with advising the Parliament’s Bureau on the commemorative programme marking the thousandth anniversary of the first Peace and Truce Assemblies, which will take place throughout 2027.
These assemblies, along with the Comital Court, are widely regarded as the precursors of parliamentary institutions in Catalonia. The first one was convened in Prats de Toluges, Roussillon, in 1027.
Council members, appointed by the Parliament’s Bureau, are distinguished individuals with backgrounds in academia, peace advocacy, culture, law and historiography. Among them are ICIP director Kristian Herbolzheimer, and political scientist Sonia Andolz, who currently heads ICIP’s “Security alternatives” area.
On Tuesday 5 May, the Council held its first meeting, chaired by the president of the Parliament, Josep Rull, and the Millennial commissioner, Manel Vila.
The commemoration seeks to honour the thousandth anniversary of the assemblies and the deep roots of Catalan parliamentarianism, while highlighting Catalonia’s historical commitment to peace, democracy and human dignity. True to this spirit, the planned events and activities will revolve around the themes of parliamentarianism, Catalonia’s own institutions, history, and the promotion of peace.
