12-09-20 Dispatch de Barcelona: La Mercè - the party to end all parties

Friday September 21, 2012 - Monday, September 24, 2012

 

Barcelona La Merce lasts five days and is a festival held in honor of Mare de Deu de la Merce (Mother of God of Mercy), the patron saint of Barcelona.  

There will be hundreds of different activities that will take place in the city. 

Correfoc

Location: Porta Cambo, Avenida Francesc Cambo, Plaza de Antoni Maura, Via Laietana, Antoni Lopez and Square of the Sea

  

Sparkler-breathing dragon at the Correfoc fire run; People receive a shower of flaming fireworks in Correfoc La Merce Festival Barcelona

If you live the Correfoc we recommend you wear protective clothing, sprayed often as powerful sparks of fireworks into the crowd. You should bring hats, goggles and long sleeve shirts thick to protect you from flying fireworks.

The event takes place at dusk Correfoc. Generally along the Via Laietana and around. The street will be closed but opens for "Devils". The devils are special community groups that masquerade as devils and parade through the streets during certain festivals in Barcelona. The La Merce Festival is one of these festivals. Demons run through the streets with firecrackers and fireworks in hand. There will be explosions and flames. Also roaming the streets blowing fire dragons (or at least throw sparks dragons) coming out with demons jumping with fireworks in their hands.There are generally two types of Correfoc the same night. One is for children and is much calmer than the Correfoc "adult" is performed later in the evening.

Castellers - Human Towers 
Location: Plaça de Sant Jaume 

Human Castellers towers

This event is one of the highlights of the Merce festival and usually develops Haume Square. Thousands of people will crowd in the square so it's best to arrive early. The objective of Castellers is build a human tower and make a guy go up to the top of the tower and stand on it. Building a human tower requires great planning and teamwork and is something amazing to see. Click here for more information on Castellers of Barcelona .

Gigantes (Giants Parade)

Location: Plaza de la Merce, Barcelona Cathedral and Plaza de Sant Jaume.

 

The Giants - Giants parade is popular among boys.

The parade of giants is a very popular event for the whole family. Huge giant images of kings, queens and nobles march through the streets of Barcelona. These huge figures rise above the crowd and go round to the audience can see them in all their glory. The parade is usually accompanied by small groups of percussion playing a rhythm with the drums as they pass giants.

The Barcelona La Merce festival will have something for everyone, music, street plays, drama in thousands of places in the city. Join the fun with the biggest party of the year in Barcelona.