By Claire Marshall BBC Spain correspondent, Barcelona

Spain's Prime Minister, Jose Maria Aznar, is coming under increasing pressure to devolve more power from Madrid to the Spanish regions.

In addition to the strident demands for independence from the Basque country, Catalonia is now demanding more autonomy.

We feel neglected, restricted, forgotten, sometimes humiliated, and therefore we are very, very disappointed

Francesc Sanuy Ex-Congress member

The new leader of Catalonia's ruling national party, Artur Mas, wants so-called "shared sovereignty" in the region, and a rewritten constitution - demands that are causing alarm in Madrid.

Catalonia was granted semi-autonomy in 1979. The regional government controls many areas of public administration, including education, health, culture and much policing.

Autonomy

"We are asking for more powers and responsibilites and a wider range for us Catalans to take our own decisions," Mr Mas.

"The majority of the Catalan people know that our country, Catalonia, needs a higher level of political autonomy."

Artur Mas demands more autonomy for Catalonia

While most Catalans shy away from demanding full independence, it is clear that demands for more autonomy are growing.

"We feel neglected, restricted, forgotten, sometimes humiliated, and therefore we are very, very disappointed," a former Congress Member, Francesc Sanuy, says.

"Why can't we have licence plates on a car with the C for Catalonia if Germans, the Italians and everybody else have it. Why can't we have teams like Wales, and Scotland - like the Palestinian Authority goes to the Olympic Games?"

Art mirrors politics

Backstage at a new musical in Barcelona, there are frantic preparations, five minutes before the curtain goes up.

The musical is about the life of one of Catalonia's most famous figures - Antonio Gaudi. He is renowned for having designed many of the curving, almost surreal, art-nouveau style buildings in Barcelona.

Miquel Cobos, who plays the celebrated architect, is having his long beard trimmed and painted white.

"This play is very connected to the Catalan people. At the end of the performance, I can see people crying - it's very emotive for them," he tells me.

"The music connects with the character of the Catalan people."

Catalans are proud of their national identity

Sung in Catalan, the musical has been a huge success here. The aim is to encapsulate some of the spirit and identity of Catalonia - a region which is proud to have a history and culture distinct from the rest of Spain.

"There are a lot of Catalan people who feel very strongly about their identity - it's great," says one chorus girl, as her thick stage make-up is applied.

View from the terraces

At a home game for Barcelona FC, it is clear that for fanatic supporters, Barcelona is the national side. The team inspires intense devotion, and has been called Catalonia's "unarmed army".

These men waving the team's flags and proudly holding their season tickets say that Barcelona FC is not Spanish, but from here - Catalonia.

"It's the team which represents our region, Barcelona. The most important thing in Catalonia is Barcelona - of course," one fan tells me.

Fortunately for those living here, the nationalist movement here is peaceful - unlike in the Basque country. The militant group ETA has killed more than 800 people over the last three decades in pursuit of a Basque sovereign state.

However, there is also a radical side to the Catalan nationalist movement.

On streets in the capital it is possible to see signs pinned up calling for the independence of all the Catalan-speaking countries - including parts of France and the Balearic islands.

Catalonia's renewed demands for more autonomy can't fail to worry those in Madrid who believe that Spain should be one country - under one flag.