Sílvia Orriols bans the burkini in the Ripoll swimming pool to avoid turning it into a space for religious protest
The mayor of Aliança Catalana defends the measure, citing security reasons and not to turn the pool into a space for political protest. The Generalitat authorized the burkini throughout Catalonia in 2023 to apply the Law on Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination.
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The municipal swimming pool of Ripoll has banned the use of the burkini by direct order of Mayor Silvia Orriols.. The decision was announced on X (formerly Twitter), where the mayor justified the measure. for «swimmer safety». In the message, it states verbatim: «In Ripoll, the burkini is not permitted in the municipal swimming pool for the safety of bathers. The pool is a space for practising sport, not for political or religious protests..»
In Ripoll, the burkini is not permitted in the municipal swimming pool on safety grounds for bathers. The pool is a space for practising sport, not for political or religious protests.
— Silvia Orriols (@orriolsderipoll) 21 July 2025
The Generalitat authorised the burkini.
The ban on the burkini in Ripoll comes despite the fact that In 2023, the Generalitat de Catalunya established clear regulations to put an end to differences of opinion between municipalities.. Until then, the situation was chaotic: in some municipal swimming pools the burkini was permitted, while in others it was banned without any common legal basis. In Reus, for example, it was already accepted, whereas in Tarragona city it was prohibited, even though both municipalities were governed by ERC.
With the aim of ensuring equal treatment and preventing discrimination, The ERC government issued a clear instruction to all local councils reminding them that they could not ban the burkini, toplessness or breastfeeding in public spaces such as swimming pools.. This instruction was based on Law 19/2020 on Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination, which protects freedom of dress provided that basic hygiene and safety criteria are respected (coverage of the genitals and use of appropriate materials such as polyester).
The Government spokesperson, Patricia Plaja, explained that “everyone should be able to wear the swimsuit they feel most comfortable in,” and warned that no local regulation could impose restrictions on grounds of gender, religion or cultural origin. The measure also sought to avoid sanctions or complaints of discrimination in access to public services.
Ripoll bans the burkini and Reus promotes it
While in Ripoll pieces associated with macho religious codes are banned, in Reus the exact opposite is happening: The municipal swimming pool has this summer launched an official campaign showing a swimmer in a burkini recommending the use of sun cream.. The video, presented as a message of coexistence, has sparked controversy for its symbolic contradiction and has reopened the debate over whether the public administration should promote or neutralise dress codes marked by religious patriarchy.
The municipal swimming pool has this summer become the setting for a debate on coexistence, feminism, religious freedom and cultural identity. The case of Ripoll and the campaign in Reus not only highlight two ways of understanding public management, but also two opposing ways of conceiving equality in a plural society.
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