Comments on: Christmas in Barcelona: Shopping and Tradition!

By: Jordi

Jordi — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:42:20 +0000

Hi Ana,
Thank you for your corrections. It is strange, because the accent/stress is on the right place in some moments but not in others…
I believe that with all these corrections everybody will have an idea of our traditions.
Happy New Year to everyone!

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:33:07 +0000

P.S.: Sorry about my advice to translate “caga” as “poop” rather than “shit”. You have already done so correctly; I confused this with someone else’s blog in which the word was mistranslated.

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 09:27:14 +0000

Thanks for publishing; not many outside of Southern Europe know of these interesting Catalán traditions. But, please, can you issue the following, important corrections?

Tió de Nadal (note the stress on the letter “o” rather than the “i”) means “Christmas Log” in Catalán. The Catalán word “tió” should not be confused with the Spanish word “tío” which means “uncle” (not “guy”).

“Caga Tió” (again, note the stress on the letter “o” rather than the “i”) is a command meaning, “Poop, Log!” It does not mean “pooping guy”.

It would be better to translate the word “caga” as “poop” rather than “shit”, as the Catalán word is more juvenile than gross. It is similar to the English word “caca”.

There are different versions of the song “Caga Tió”, of course. They are all fun!

Also, the Caganer (which literally means “Pooper”) is indeed a part of the annual Nativity scene in Catalonia, but the Catalán Nativity scene depicts the entire town of Bethlehem and not just the manger. The Caganer is respectfully placed in a discreet corner of this large scene and nowhere near the manger.

Thanks again for your post. Merry Christmas!

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:40:56 +0000

Dear Katharine and Ana,
As Daniel said a few days ago, it is very traditional to eat “Turrón” (delicious!!!) and “Polvores” during Christmas. A few days ago I followed Daniel’s advise and I went to Brunnels (close to Picasso) and they really have yummy stuff there! Then on my way toward the Ciudadella Park I saw another delicious shop… (Just before C/Rec). They also have a great selection of Christmas sweets there!
Remember: Good food is good to keep warm!
Sandrine

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:26:06 +0000

Dear Michelle,
I think the whole thing is changing: Now children believe in any kind of figures that can bring them gifts: The “Caga Tío” (the young ones), the “Reyes”, “Santa Claus”… Children know!
The very good thing about it is that Father Chritmas did not replace their tradition… Good luck with the song!
Sandrine

By: Sandrine

Sandrine — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:20:07 +0000

Dear Silvia,
Thank you very much for your comments. I am quite sure your friends will be amused!!! (Or at least surprised…)
Hasta pronto!
Sandrine

By: Ana

Ana — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:42:41 +0000

Hi everyone!

I’ve been living in Barcelona for a few years and I still find the “cagatío/caganet” an awkward tradition However, you can find some traditional sweets in the Christmas markets here in Barcelona. I believe the turrón is the most common sweet and there’s a lot of different kinds.

Ana

By: Camino Barcelona - Christmas fun at Camino Barcelona

Camino Barcelona - Christmas fun at Camino Barcelona — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:44:33 +0000

[...] Free Quotation :: Book Now :: Check Availability :: Prices « Christmas in Barcelona: Shopping and Tradition! [...]

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:17:52 +0000

Wow! How interesting, never heard of this… So children don´t believe in Santa Claus in Catalunya?
I have seen the caga tío in my friends houses here in Barcelona but I had no idea it had something to do with Christmas.
Well I´m definetly gonna buy me a caga tío and do the song to impress my Catlan friends!

By: Katherine

Katherine — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:06:55 +0000

Just a question: At home Christmas markets usually always have many many stands with different food stuff. Is that not the case in Spain? Some of the things you can actually only get at this kind of markets, at least to my knowledge.

Are there Spanish Christma sweets?