Marina Vilalta i Fajula, who spent nearly a century tending sheep and goats in the hills of Girona, has died at 99. For many in Catalonia’s farming community, her death closes a chapter. Vilalta was known for her age and steady presence in the fields; her deep ties to the land were equally familiar.
Recognition for her work came late in life. In 2020, the Parliament of Catalonia honored her during a session on the rural crisis. The year before, she received the Creu de Sant Jordi, one of Catalonia’s highest civilian awards, for her lifelong dedication to shepherding and preserving local culture. The honors left her habits unchanged: for 94 years, she led her flock through the foothills of Taga, a daily routine that shaped her life and those around her.
In 2022, a square in Bruguera was officially named after Marina Vilalta in tribute to her contribution to rural life.
Vilalta was born in 1927 in Bruguera, a small village in Girona province. She began shepherding at five, learning from her father. She never learned to read or write, but her command of oral tradition made her a respected figure in her community. Journalist Abraham Orriols later told her story in a book, and her name now marks a square in her hometown.
In her later years, Vilalta spoke out for livestock farmers, insisting their work was critical to the survival of rural communities. She became a familiar voice during parliamentary debates, giving a human face to the challenges facing Catalonia’s agricultural sector. After her death, condolences poured in on social media, especially from younger farmers and colleagues who saw her as a model for their own work.
Her passing comes as rural Spain faces depopulation and economic strain, while traditional ways of life continue to disappear. Vilalta’s story differs from the political careers often reported in the news, which tend to unfold in cities far from the countryside. She left no laws or speeches behind; her influence lives in the persistence of a way of life rooted in the soil.
Leading Catalan media reported that Vilalta was widely regarded as the region’s oldest active shepherd. Her death is seen as the loss of a symbol of traditional rural life in Ripollès and the broader Catalan primary sector. Local authorities, including Ribes de Freser mayor Monica Sanjaume, publicly expressed condolences and noted that the community had honored Vilalta’s legacy during her lifetime.
Vilalta never left the land, even as rural populations shrank and economic pressures grew. For many, she became a reference point for what it means to keep Catalonia’s agricultural heritage alive. The honors she received recognized a struggle that continues for others. As Catalonia looks ahead, her example remains a reminder of ability to recover and authenticity in a sector often overlooked by policymakers and the public.
