Though the roots of the festival are religious it is a celebration of fun. Everyone gets involved regardless of age. I understand the festival was a tame affair until the old dictator General Franco died in 1975. That ended 35 years of repression of the language and customs of Catalunya. Now I'm not exactly sure of the geography of Barcelona and Catalunya. I only know Barcelona is considered the capital city of Catalunya (here I thought we were in Spain). Well history nor geography are my strong points but I am rather good at having fun! Above is a picture of the "Fire walk". It is followed by people dressed as devils, dragons and all sorts of ghouls. Along with several marching groups beating drums, blowing whistles and generally just playing a Brazilian style best. The purpose of this is to protect the city from invading devils. After the ghouls have passed they are followed by large statuses of the royalty. For three days the squares in the city are filled with people and entertainment of all sorts. I understand the festival started in the 13th century in honour of La Madonna de la Merce. It is said she appeared in a dream to local saint Perce Nolase asking him to establish a religious order to help Christians captured by Barbary pirates. Then in 1637 she saved Barcelona from a plague of locusts (hence the drum beating)
Though the roots of the festival are religious it is a celebration of fun. Everyone gets involved regardless of age. I understand the festival was a tame affair until the old dictator General Franco died in 1975. That ended 35 years of repression of the language and customs of Catalunya. Now I'm not exactly sure of the geography of Barcelona and Catalunya. I only know Barcelona is considered the capital city of Catalunya (here I thought we were in Spain). Well history nor geography are my strong points but I am rather good at having fun! Above is a picture of the "Fire walk". It is followed by people dressed as devils, dragons and all sorts of ghouls. Along with several marching groups beating drums, blowing whistles and generally just playing a Brazilian style best. The purpose of this is to protect the city from invading devils. After the ghouls have passed they are followed by large statuses of the royalty. For three days the squares in the city are filled with people and entertainment of all sorts. I understand the festival started in the 13th century in honour of La Madonna de la Merce. It is said she appeared in a dream to local saint Perce Nolase asking him to establish a religious order to help Christians captured by Barbary pirates. Then in 1637 she saved Barcelona from a plague of locusts (hence the drum beating)
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