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La Merce Festival Of Barcelona
owards the end of have to settle for some
September Barcelona begins highlights. We start with one of
to limber up for the the oldest traditions; the human
largest event on its festival towers or “Castells” are a real
calendar, La Mercé, a celebration must-see, sometimes as much as
of the city’s patron saint “Mare ten stories high they’re a
de Deu de la Mercé”. The festival fantastic display of teamwork,
heralds the end of summer and the agility and balance.
onset of the autumn months. The
festival is a real big deal for A recurring theme throughout the
the people of Barcelona and the festival is the celebration of
still temperate weather means fire and one of the most
that, in true Mediterranean exhilarating experiences of La
fashion, must of the fun takes Mercé is the “Correfoc” (the
place outside. There’s a massive “Fire Run”) where costumed
amount to do whilst the festival fire-breathing devils rampage
is on with events popping up all around the streets in a colourful
over the city and over 3000 pyrotechnic display. Kids
artists and performers on display absolutely love this sort of
with over 500 activities to watch thing and audience participation
or take part in. The festival has is a big part as the devils chase
a long and proud and first took after those foolish enough to get
place in 1902; today it’s a in their way. Another favourite
fantastic blend of tradition and of the children is the “Dragons
innovation. and Giants” procession which
starts in the Plaza Real next to
You’d really need to write a Las Ramblas.
novel to keep on top of
everything that goes on at La Foodies and wine lovers shouldn’t
Mercé each year so, we’ll just feel left out either as there is
no shortage of indulgence in including the Picasso museum, the
those areas. Food and wine shows Museum of History of Catalonia,
run throughout the festival the Maritime Museum and many
showcasing local produce and more.
allow you to try and buy the best
that Catalonia has to offer. The culmination of the
festivities is called
Festivities aren’t just kept on “Piromusica”l – the finale
the ground either, La Mercé also involves music and a huge
celebrates the sky with static fireworks display choreographed
hot air balloon flights, kite together for an amazing
displays and other aerial audio-visual experience. A big
exhibitions taking place named music star is usually
throughout the festival on the brought in to play the finale and
city’s beaches. Other areas 2005 saw local singer and
around the city to look out for composer Pep Sala having the
are the Centro de Cultura honour of closing out La Mercé.
Contemperanea de Barcelona where
you can view street theatre, Moll For tourists La Mercé offers a
de la Fusta which will be giving perfect opportunity to see
centre stage to numerous circus Barcelona at its best – it’s a
acts and Plaza St Rei where colourful, vibrant spectacle
various dance troupes and which offers something for all
performing artists will be vying age groups and all tastes. It
for your attention. There’s also also offers visitors the perfect
a museum open day where many of opportunity to see more of this
the city’s museums and galleries wonderful city.
can be entered free of charge
About the Author:
Mike McDougall works for Babylon Idiomas, a Spanish language institute with schools in Spain [Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia], Argentina and Costa Rica. Click here for more information about Spanish courses
Read more articles by: Mike McDougall
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