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BARCELONA, CITY OF CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS
The Barcelona festive calendar undoubtedly has a rich and sparkling programme of events related to culture in the city. These are days in which the city turns into a veritable world of fiestas with its popular celebrations, where citizens are the leading figures in activities that show the most welcoming, enthusiastic and generous aspect of Barcelona. During these days, the streets and squares are transformed into community cultural areas where collective creation, artistic dissemination and participation become displays of shared enrichment and vitality.
The calendar begins in January with the Cavalcada dels Reis Mags d'Orient (Procession of the Three Kings), a celebration full of magic for children and families. In February there is the Carnival, with its Rua, a celebration of excess and "that everything is possible", organised by the municipal covered markets. Santa Eulàlia, the day of the patroness of Barcelona, is a traditional winter celebration and the occasion of the prize-giving ceremony of the Ciutat de Barcelona Prizes for the arts and science. On the day of Sant Jordi (Saint George) there is the celebration of the book and the rose, which - in the month of April - is also a celebration of spring. In June there is the Revetlla de Sant Joan (Eve of Saint John's Day), a celebration of the summer solstice, a night of fireworks and bonfires. The festa major de Gràcia is in August, at the height of summer, with dances in the adorned squares throughout the neighbourhood. The festa de la Mercè is in September. On this day, the city holiday, last year a million people took part in 382 events of all kinds. And the Fira de Santa Llúcia in December is a preparation for the Christmas celebrations and the winter solstice.
As well as these "festes" there are now others in each district celebrating their traditional patron saint(s). These are celebrations prepared by neighbourhood associations together with cultural organisations in each area.
The festive spirit is something you feel as you walk around the city and perhaps it is this spirit that imbues Barcelona with such generosity to all visitors.
If you have any query or suggestions,
please write to : festesicub@mail.bcn.esMade page: 01/07/97
Last updating: 14/02/01