September Events Barcelona

                           

La Mercè

One of the biggest festivals known in Barcelona is La Mercè. They celebrate La Mercè with more than 600 events from the 21^st till the 24^th of September. Most of the activities will take place on the streets.

It's a festival in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, she is the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The story of Mare de Deu de la Merce comes from the 17^th century. The city asked the Virgin of Mercy whether she could end a plague of locusts. The plague ended soon after that and they declared her the Patron Saint of Barcelona.

 I especcially like to watch the castellers. They build human towers by standing on top of each other, breath taking to watch. After some drinks I will be off to my appartment Barcelona.

 To give you an idea of the traditional activities here is an overview.

 Toc d’Inici (The Starting Procession)

Friday 21 / 19:45

Plaça de Sant Jaume

The giants and mythical figures of medieval Barcelona take to the streets to celebrate the festival. In the Plaça de Sant Jaume they perform their dances, accompanied by the early music orchestra of the Camí Ral Minstrels who meet just once a year for this event.

Xambanga de Gegants (Giants’ Xambanga)

Sunday 23 / 22:00

From the Plaça dels Àngels to the Plaça de Sant Jaume

A street procession which is quite different from that above: this one involves giants carried by groups from all over the city. The curious thing about this procession is that the giants themselves and the groups surrounding them dance in costume, to the drumbeat...

Correfoc (Fire Run)

Saturday 22 / 20:30

From the Avinguda de Cambó (Santa Caterina market) down Via Laietana, along with dragons and other fire beasts.

• Warning!
  The Fire Run can be dangerous and everyone is responsible for themselves.To dance with the “devils” you need to wear clothes which cover you well to avoid burns from sparks. Hats, cotton clothes and even special goggles are recommended. Children seeing the fire run for the first time can become frightened, and so they should not stand in the front rows. In the      case of accidents, ambulances will be stationed at the end of Via Laietana.

Matí de Festa Major (Festival Morning)

Sunday 23

On the morning of Sunday 23, a walk through the old quarter will bring you a host of surprises: popular cultural groups from all over the city will invade the streets to celebrate the city’s biggest day of the year.

• 8:00Matinades de Grallers (Pipers’ morning): popular music groups go around the city waking up the neighbours. From the Plaça de La Mercè to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 10:00 L’Assalt dels Trabucaires (The Blunderbuss Assault): the ancient bandoleers fire their weapons in honour of the Virgin of La Mercè. From the Avinguda de la Catedral to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 11:00 Matí Gegant (Giants’ Morning): a show of dances and processions by the giants. From Plaça de Sant Jaume to Plaça de Catalunya
• 12:00 Seguici d’Autoritats (Authorities Procession): the most historical beasts come out again to parade around the institutional heart of Barcelona. From the Plaça de la Mercè to the Plaça de Sant Jaume
• 12:30 Matí Casteller (Human Castles Morning): the well-known Catalan tradition of building human castles – a homage to team work. All the groups which exist in the different neighbourhoods of Barcelona will take part: Castellers of Barcelona, Sants, Vila de Gràcia, Poble-sec and Sagrada Família

Cavalcada de La Mercè (La Mercè Parade)

Sunday 23 / 18:00

From Portal de la Pau to the Avinguda de la Catedral

A crowded street parade, dedicated this year to the maritime culture of Catalonia. It includes giants and symbolic figures representing marine creatures, naval captains and ancient mariners...

Exhibitions of popular culture

The beasts, giants and other figures participating La Mercè will be exhibited when they are not parading...

• The Barcelona Popular Parade, 15-24 September, Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla, 99)
• Exhibition of Barcelona Giants, 16-30 September, Manning Courtyard of the Casa de Caritat (Montalegre, 7)
• Exhibition of Dragons and Fire Beasts, 16-22 September, Entrance Hall of the Barcelona City Hall

Source: www.bcn.es

For the whole programme of La Mercè you can also look download a pfd file