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 Popular Traditions |
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Barcelona is not only rich with history and modernities, it is also prosperous with fiestas and folklore, and being where it is right now only reinforced this further. Catalonia has managed to maintain many customs and traditions over the years, which are very common in everyday life. Some of the most important events from a tourist point of view are listed as follows. These are the more popularly celebrated events that gain media attention along with the rest of the world, as it is celebrated in a colorful and pulsating way that only Barcelona can ever boast of. Here is a quick rundown of what they are, and followed by more detailed descriptions afterwards.
1 January New Year's day
6 January Epiphany
April Easter
23 April Saint George's day
27 April Mare de Déu de Montserrat
1 May May Day
19 May Whitsun
24 June Saint John's day
15 August Assumption Festivities of Gracia
11 September La Diada (Catalan national holiday)
24 September La Merc
12 October Columbus Day
1 November All Saints' Day
6 December Constitution Day
8 December Immaculate Conception
25 December Christmas
26 December Saint Stephen's Day
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New Year in Barcelona is much like a Carnival party with people in masks on the streets. As a popular tradition observed by most parts of Spain - people try to eat 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds of the finishing year. This is a tradition that is said to bring good luck - that is, if you re quick enough to be able get it.
January 5th marks the procession of the biblical "Three Magis," who will bring presents to the children next morning -- simply a treat for everyone, young or old. These gift bearers are the more popular Spanish alternative to Santa Claus.
On March 3 rd , the city celebrates the popular festival of San Medir , again with big processions and choirs singing in the streets.
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The festival of Sant Jordi , Catalonia's patron, falls on April 23 rd . It is among the most spectacular events in the city that is celebrated in grandeur. On 23 April the Catalans celebrate Saint George's day by offering a rose or a book. On this occasion, the main shopping streets of Barcelona are filled with bookstands and hundreds of books.
In May, what takes place is the poetic Jocs Florals , the "plays of the flowers", and the festival of Sant Ponc in Calle del Hospital .
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June marks Corpus Christi . This is celebrated with processions of traditional and very picturesque masks, and "l'ou com balla," the festival of the "dancing egg," around the cathedral. Between 23rd and 24th of June a very special "fiesta" takes place during the middle of the night. This celebration is in tribute to Sant Joan , a pre-Christian celebration with fire, fire works and parties in every street, quarter, town and village and virtually everywhere in Catalonia. At the end of the month starts the festival of Grec with open-air concerts and dance performances.
The eve of Saint John's falls on the 23 rd of June, and the said summer solstice is celebrated with big bonfires, firecrackers and fireworks, and people partaking of the traditional "coca de Sant Joan" (a pastry).
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La Merc festival, on the other hand, is the festival for Barcelona 's patron saint, held in the week of the 24 September, the day of La Merc All kinds of activities are organized, but of particular interest is the "correfoc" (fire-breathing dragons from all over Catalonia), and the pyrotechnical music show (fireworks and classical music next to the Montju fountains). These events are really picturesque and well worth the wait for its unfolding annually.
The Fiesta de la Merc is on every September 24 th . This particular event offers processions in the streets, performances of "sardanas," the national dance of Catalunya , and other important sports events.
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On December, 13th starts the expositions of Christmas cribs in preparation for the city s advent celebration.
During the winter months the performances of opera and concerts in the " Palau de la Musica " arrive to their best performances ever, year in and year out.
Add up to all these colorful events, there is Sardanas , a traditional Catalan dance where people meet in front of the cathedral on Sundays to dance it. There is also as well, the Castellers . These " castells " are impressive human towers of up to 9 "floors." They originated in the Tarragona region, although they can be seen in popular festivals in Barcelona , especially during the " Merc "
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