The break in men's first-team action has coincided with a busy few weeks for the penya movement. As well as holding some of the biggest events on their calendar, many penyes have strengthened their links with their local communities through social, cultural and sporting initiatives.

Three penyes celebrate 50 years

Three official penyes have celebrated their 50th anniversaries in the space of just three weeks, with the events attracting more than 450 people in total.

The first was the Penya Barcelonista de Blanes, which marked its 50th anniversary on 18 September with a reception at Blanes Town Hall followed by a gala dinner. The event was headed by penya president Lluís Freixa and attended by FC Barcelona vice-president Antonio Escudero and former player Paco Martínez, a member of the FC Barcelona Players' Association.

A week later, the Penya Barcelonista de Sitges celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner preceded by a tribute to its founding members and former presidents. FC Barcelona vice-president Antonio Escudero and Players' Association president Juan Manuel Asensi were joined by former players José Mari Bakero, Paco Martínez and Eusebio Sacristán. Penya president Alfredo Ruíz and Sitges mayor Aurora Carbonell also attended.

Most recently, the Penya Blau-Grana Caldes de Montbui celebrated its 50th anniversary on 4 October with a gala lunch attended by 170 people. Penya president Jaume Coll was joined by FC Barcelona vice-president Rafael Yuste, Board member Josep-Ignasi Macià and Juan Manuel Asensi, as well as Caldes de Montbui mayor Isidre Pineda and former Barça president Joan Gaspart.

Barça president Joan Laporta sent a video message congratulating each of the three penyes on their golden anniversaries.

Castilla y León Penyes Meeting and more anniversaries

Several other penyes have also marked anniversaries in recent weeks. The Peña Barcelonista Tierras del Cid celebrated its 30th anniversary alongside the 20th Castilla y León Penyes Meeting in Burgos.

Representatives of 21 penyes attended the event, headed by penya president Pedro García, alongside FC Barcelona Board member Josep-Ignasi Macià and former player Meho Kodro, a member of the Players' Association. The gala lunch included the traditional exchange of gifts between the participating penyes.

Elsewhere, the Penya Blaugrana de l’Escala celebrated its 47th anniversary; the Peña Barcelonista Soriana and Peña Barcelonista Luis Romo de La Garrovilla marked 35 years as official penyes; and the Peña Barcelonista Martigny-Valais Romand and Peña Barcelonista Huétor Santillán celebrated their 20th anniversaries.

Together, these events once again underline the strength and diversity of the penya movement in Catalonia, across Spain and around the world.

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