La Mercè is coming!
RocioHi!
Well, after we have had Verena, Felipe and Stefania talking about their first or last days in this wonderful city, now it is my turn to tell you about the special weekend which is about to start!
As you may know, Spain is known for our partying, celebrations and very rich culture and traditions. During the whole year, in all around Spain, from the biggest cities like Barcelona or Madrid to the small little villages, you can take part in the ‘FIESTAS‘, or what is the same, the city’s big week! If you have not experienced the real ‘fiesta’ feeling, it’s like you have not seen Spain at all!
Well, this weekend is Barcelona’s time! We are celebrating the ‘Fiestas de la Mercè’ (The Mercè Festival) from today 19th September to next Monday 24th September. There will be lots of exhibitions, traditional dances, concerts all around the city! You can find the whole programme in English in the City Hall’s homepage.
For example, tonight we are going to a concert in the Contemporary Culture Centre of Barcelona in the Raval neighbourhood in the city centre. If you are here in Barcelona, you can’t miss it! If you are not here this weekend, don’t worry, there are other fiestas all year round in different places near Barcelona. For example, in October, you can visit the ‘Fiestas del Pilar’ in Zaragoza, which are very good too!
If you need any information, just ask us!
All the best,
Rocio
September 21st, 2007 at 3:11 pm
Hi this fiesta sounds amazing! Also I was wondering what do people celebrate for the Fiestas del Pilar?
September 25th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Hi Rocio,
Thanks for the tips and the link “fiestas”. Good site to see what’s going through out Spain!!
September 27th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Hi Jessica!
Im glad you ask me! All Spanish ‘Fiestas’ started being religious celebrations and then derived into a cultural tradition. All of them are related to the cities’ patron saints. For example, the Barcelona’s Mercè is because 24th September is the day of the Virgin of Mercè. In the same way, in Zaragoza they celebrate the day of the Virgin of el Pilar, which falls on 12th October.
However, even though there are religious celebrations during those days, the whole tradition is based on popular gatherings and celebrations. Therefore, there are always concerts, parades, and many more thins going on!
If you have any other questions, just ask!
Rocio
September 27th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Hi Camila,
Thank you very much for your comment! I hope you will keep finding useful information in the following posts!
Take care,
Rocio