Holiday spain Made Easy
Traditional Festivities in Catalonia region of Spain
Catalonia has managed to maintain many customs and traditions over the years, which are very common in everyday life. These unique people have fought long and hard to preserve their identity, language, and self-respect. While they are a rare grouping of individuals who happen to be considered Spanish by geographical location and residence. The Catalan people consider themselves to be Europeans in addition to a Spanish population. Because of this unique distinction, they insist on being and speaking Catalan.
From a tourist point of view and for those who speak neither Spanish, nor Catalan, the distinction appears slight. However, for the many residents, they are absoutely Catalan and intend to cling fiercely to thier own culture and way of life.
--------------------------------------------------------------Sardanas: Traditional Catalan dance. People meet in front of the cathedral on Sundays to dance it.
Dia de Reyes (Three Kings Day) - January 6th, gift giving festival with firework displays.
Festes dels Tres Tombs - January 17th, part of the district festival of Sant Antoni Abat.
Feast of Santa Eulālia - parades of 'gig antes' (medieval dances).
Carnival - this carnival is held at the beginning of Lenten season and there are also a series of religious festivals. Saint George (Sant Jordi), patron saint of Catalonia: On 23 April the Catalans celebrate Saint George's day by offering a rose and/or book, and the main shopping streets of Barcelona are filled with book stands.
Feast of Virgin of Montserrat - choir singing and 'sardana' dancing. Corpus Christi - carpets of flowers, processions and a 'dancing egg' is balanced on the cathedral's fountain.
Dia de Sant Ponc -an herb fair in Carrer de l'Hospital, with fresh herbs, flowers, cakes, sweets and aromatic oils.
Eve of Saint John's: On the 23 June, the summer solstice is celebrated with big bonfires, firecrackers and fireworks, and people eat the traditional "coca de Sant Joan" (a pastry). Sonar - celebration of electronic music (claimed to be Europe's biggest event of this kind).
Gay and Lesbian Festival - around June 28th, this festival features a parade starting at the Placa de l'Universat on the Saturday evening. Gaude Home - popular men's fashion show.
Assumption Festa Major - August 15th to 21st, celebrations and local parties in the streets of Gracia during the week leading up to Assumption. From the end of June onwards: the Festival of "el Grec" begins. This consists of a series of theatrical performances as well as dancing, concerts, and other cultural events. August 15th : Feast of the Assumption, there are popular festivities held in the district of Gracia.
La Diada - Catalan national day with many demonstrations and much flag waving. La Mercč festival: This is the festival for Barcelona's patron saint, held in the week of the 24 September, the day of La Mercč. All kinds of activities are organized, for all tastes and all ages. 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 Montjuīc fountains).
September 24th : Festivity of La Merce, the patron saint of Barcelona, there are typical dances such as "sardanas", parades through the streets, important sporting events (e.g. sailing, regattas, judo, swimming, walking races), religious celebrations, etc. October 12th : Santa Pilar y Fiesta de la hispanidad.
Festival de Tardor - October to November, classical and contemporary theatre, music, dance, cabaret and exhibitions. Festival Internacional de Jazz de Barcelona - lasting for about a week and many large venues in the city, this jazz festival features many international jazz musicians. Once a year every town and city in Catalonia celebrates its Grand Festival, castellers. Teams of men stand on each others' shoulders in an effort to build the highest human tower. Each tower, which can be up to seven stores high, is topped by a small boy called the anxaneta.
