Fiesta de la Mercè Barcelona – a week of music and culture!

Events and Music, Fiestas on September 10, 2011 11:41 am

The Fiesta mayor de Gracia is the most long-awaited festival during the summer, however the arrival of autumn brings the most important and significant event for the people of Barcelona: the Fiesta de la Mercè, the patron saint of Barcelona. Traditionally a religious festival, over the years it has become a popular celebration all over Cataluña. The beautiful image used to promote this year’s event was artistically designed to represent the meeting of two worlds; Europe and South America. If you’ve planned a visit to Barcelona the week of festivities is a great time to come as this spectacular festival takes place just once a year. You can’t miss it!

The current fiesta de la Mercè celebrations date back to 1902 however for many years the traditions were lost with the onslaught of the Civil War and the Franco era until the arrival of democracy. It is for this reason that it is the most symbolic festival of Catalan identity and unity, particularly in Barcelona, where it is known as the festa dels Barcelonins (Barcelona’s festival). The concept? A mixture of traditional and modern customs. Here is a little look at what you can expect!

La Mercé is: traditional

Catalan culture is represented by traditional activities from various cities in Cataluña that typically take place during the festival: capgrossos (procession of large-headed figures that dance around following the audience), correfocs (men dressed as devils that run and jump through the streets throwing fire crackers) and castellers (towers of people). Any popular festival is not complete without its fair share of dancing, and the sardanas are no exception for the people of Barcelona as well as the pasacalles, a street show and theatrical event reflecting the vocation of the festivities.

La Mercè is: modern

The city and its continual ability to renew itself is the very soul of the festival. Novelty and tradition combine and are expressed through art, music and theatre. Last year, a number of different projects were featured such as the MAC: Mercé arts de Carrer, an authentic festival that took place in a number of different public areas and featured different kinds of circus, theatre, dance and entertainment all for free! The main areas were: Parc de la Ciutadela, particularly busy last year, the Castillo (Castle) de Montjuïc and the former Canódromo in Avenida Meridiana that was transformed into a new area for contemporary art. The programme was repeated each day to allow all visitors to enjoy the activities.

La Mercè is: multi-cultural

As a major Mediterranean cultural city Barcelona is always open to other cultures. Last year the guest city was Dakar and a series of cultural activities were especially dedicated to the African capital including:

Tenane: Contemporary dance in Parc de la Ciutadella
Night of Percussion with Doudou N’Diaye Rose and the collaboration of various musicians from Barcelona (Placa Catalunya)
Awadi: Avant-garde Senegalese music in Avenida Catedral
Njaaya: Music and Theatre at the Teatre Grec
Procession of Senegalese fashion with designer Cheicka: Parc de la Ciutadela

La Mercè is: music

Every year the musical offer is renewed with dozens of national artists featured. In the 2010 edition mainly showed support for musicians and artists from the city and surrounding areas and aimed to give each stage an individual image and character. The Forum, Plaza San Jaume, Plaza Cataluña, Avenida María Cristina and Plaza de la Catedral was the setting for different stages with their respective characteristic features.

The musical programme included the 18th edition of the festival BAM: Barcelona Acción Musical, where you could discover some of the new names on the Catalan and international indie scene alongside the “big name bands”.

Scheduled programme for the concert

Where?

The fiesta de la Mercè is Barcelona city’s festival, which means there will be activities, sardanas and correfocs all over the city! The main areas hosting concerts and other artistic events last year were: Parque de la Ciutadela, the Forum, the Teatro Grec, the Castillo del Montjuïc, the squares: San Jaume, Cataluña and the Catedral, Avenida María Cristina, the former Canódromo in the Avenida Meridiana and finally the Ramblas.

Looking for accommodation?

Have you ever thought of visiting Barcelona? September is the perfect month to enjoy the city with a perfect climate and cultural programme on offer!

Are you interested in visiting Barcelona during the Mercè festival? If you have any additional questions leave us a comment, or maybe you have already been to the festival and have an experience to share with us. Tell us about it!

Philip

About the author Oh-Barcelona

We are a leading holiday accommodation provider, with a fantastic choice of affordable rental apartments, hotels and hostels in the Catalan capital.
Oh-Barcelona.com

Related posts

Barcelona Events – Barcelona Summer Week 2010

The NBA comes to Europe – LA Lakers vs FC Regal Barcelona

Palau de la Música Catalana – a palace indeed

Barcelona 3D video – a virtual tour of Barcelona