La Merce2011 Program in English

8/4/2019 La Merce2011 Program in English

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f e s t i v a l o f

b a r c e l o n a

SEPTEMBER 22 TO 25

www.bcn.cat/merce



Modernity, tradition,

gunpowder, street theatre,circus, dance, music… Just mixthem all together, stir, andyou have the festive cocktailthat is being served up in

Barcelona these days. For thecity is celebrating the feastof its patron saint, La Mercè, acompendium of Mediterraneanfestivities, authentic Catalan

traditions and the talentof artists from all over theworld. No one interested inplumbing the very soul ofBarcelona and Catalonia canafford to miss this festival,whose special guest this yearis the Russian city of SaintPetersburg.



Tradition

Getting the party startedThursday, sepTember 22 / 7.45 pm

Pl. de Sant Jaume

Those who want to experience the festival from the very start and, bythe by, get a live taste of Barcelona traditional imagery, should come toPlaça de Sant Jaume. There you will nd the city’s gegants, giants, alongwith the Àliga, Víbria, the Bou, the Mulassa... ready to perform theirtraditional dances, some accompanied by reworks, to music played by

the Ministrils del Camí Ral. This ensemble, which performs only once ayear, is formed by some forty musicians, all playing traditional Catalaninstruments: the gralla, the tarota, the abiol the tabal , and so on. Puretradition.

A little bit of historyAccording to legend, on 24 September 1218, Our Lady of Mercy –La Mercè – appeared before King James I and Saint Peter Nolasco,ordering them to found the Mercedarian Order to free the faithfulwho were prisoners of the Saracens. This manifestation of the Vir-gin was made patron saint of Barcelona later when, in 1687, thecity overcame a terrible plague of locusts after oering up prayersto Her. Nearly two hundred years later, Pope Pius IX ociallyrecognised La Mercè as the city’s patron saint and the people of

Barcelona began to celebrate Her feast, though the current formatof a programme featuring Catalan traditions was not adopted untilthe late-19th century.



Festa major matineesaTurday, sepTember 24 / 8.30 am

Pl. de la Mercè, Pl. de la Catedral and Pl. Sant Jaume

The traditional festivity takes to the squares and narrow streets of theGothic Quarter. A morning in this quarter during La Mercè leads festival-goers to the very heart of Catalan tradition.

8.30 am

GRALLR MATNGralles are traditional instruments in the double reed family played by

grallers as they parade around the streets of old Barcelona in the earlymorning, awakening the cityfolk and inviting them to join in with thecelebrations.

10 am

GALJAA TRABuCAiR

Anyone that the grallers have failed to get out of bed will certainly jumpto it once the trabucaires begin ring their gunpowder salvoes in the

street. These traditional characters are a reminder of the bandoleers whoonce rendered homage to the patron saint by ring their guns.

11 am GGANT MATNA date with Barcelona’s tallest citizens… and its shortest. On the morn-ing of September 24, Plaça de Sant Jaume is packed, not only to see thegegants dance, but also to greet the capgrossos that accompany them

and form an essential part of La Mercè.12 noon

CMTA ATRASIt is pretty much inescapable duty to go and salute the patron saint atsome time during the festivities, and to visit Her home, the Basilica of LaMercè, in the square of the same name. The city authorities gladly com-ply with this duty, taking Mass before returning to Plaça de Sant Jaume,

accompanied by the festive beasts. On their arrival, the gegants and theÀliga perform their dances in what is amongst the most solemn momentsduring the festivity.



Sardanes , castellers and balls de bastons

Sardanes and castells are two well-known ingredients of Catalan popu-lar tradition. However, to see them performed live is always a surprise,particularly in the latter case, in which dierent colles or groups competeto see who can build the best human tower or pyramid in an absolutelythrilling spectacle.

CASTLLS AYsaTurday, sepTember 24 / 12.30 pm — Pl. de Sant Jaume

When the city’s gegants and the Àliga have performed their dances out-side the City Hall, the colles or casteller groups o Barcelona enter PlaçaSant Jaume to give an exhibition. This year, we welcome a new colla, dem-onstrating that the casteller tradition is more alive than ever in our city.

CASTLLS AY WTH GST CLL Ssunday, sepTember 25 / 12 moon — Pl. de Sant Jaume

As well as themselves giving an exhibition of their skills to mark thefeast of their patron saint, the city’s castellers also invite the best collesfrom all over Catalonia to share in this festive performance. As a result,two top ensembles will perform on Sunday, September 25: the Minyonsde Terrassa and the Castellers de Vilafranca.

BASTNR MATNsunday, sepTember 25 / 11 amPl. del Rei (11 am) and Pl. de la Mercè (1 pm)

Two squares in old Barcelona host the great festivity staged by the localgroups of bastoners , performing traditional dances that are an essentialelement in the festivities for La Mercè.

SARANS

saTurday, sepTember 24 / 19 pm — Pl. de la MercèThe Colla Sardanista Violetes del Bosc performs sardanes accompaniedby the Cobla La Principal del Llobregat.



sunday, sepTember 25 / 11 am — Av. de la Catedral

The competition for sardana groups has taken place regularly since 1950,bringing together ensembles from Barcelona and guest groups from allover Catalonia. At the end of this year’s event, the new sardana Bicicleta,

cullera, poma will be perormed or the frst time.

sunday, sepTember 25 / 6 pm — Pl. de Sant Jaume

Sardanes by the Cobla Nova del Vallès

La Mercè CavalcadesaTurday, sepTember 24 / 6 pm

C. de Gravina, C. de Pelai, Pl. de Catalunya, Rambla, C. de Ferran,Pl. de Sant Jaume, C. de Jaume I, Via Laietana and Pl. de RamonBerenguer el Gran

Characters from traditional and popular Catalan culture take to thestreets at a festive event in which the real stars are the city’s gegants .These popular “giants” will be joined by many street art companies to

give life and colour to a parade structured into dierent thematic blocksfollowing a route through the main streets of the city centre.

Popular cultureDracs , gegants and re beasts are the stars

amongst Barcelona’s mythical festive characters.To meet them and other leading characters,the best thing is to attend one of thefollowing events:

BARCLNA PARAsepTember 17-25, from 10 am To 8.30 pm

Palau de la Virreina (Rambla, 99)



XHBTN F TH GGANTS F BARCLNAsepTember 12-23, from 10 am To 8 pm

Pati Manning, Casa de Caritat (C. de Montalegre, 7)

XHBTN F RACS AN FR BASTSsepTember 17-23, from 10 am To 8 pm

Vestibule, Barcelona City Hall (Pl. de Sant Jaume)

Children’s correfoc

sunday, sepTember 25 / 6.30 pmFrom C. de Joan Massana to Pl. Antonio Maura,passing through Via Laietana

Fire and gunpowder are essential elements in Barcelona’s esta major ,particularly during the famous Correoc . Everyone wants to take partin this spectacle, even younger children. So that they can do so withoutdanger, every year a family version of this great festival of re takesplace, using lower-intensity reworks. This scaled-down version is thebest way for young participants to get their rst taste of what is an abso-lutely Mediterranean celebration.

Hell’s Gatesunday, sepTember 25 / 8.30 pm

Via Laietana /Av. de la CatedrallWhere does the Correoc come from? From Hell itself. Don’t believe us?Well, all you need to do is to be there when the reworks go o outsidethe great gate that is installed right across Via Laietana. As the last explo-sion rings out, the gates of the underworld will open. Does it smell of sul-phur? No, just the gunpowder that devils, re beasts and all sorts of evilcreatures bring with them, ready to begin their route around the streets

of the city centre. But be warned: this year, Hell’s Gate will be even morespectacular than ever.



Correfoc sunday, sepTember 25 / 8.30 pm

Pl. de Antonio Maura, Via Laietana, Pl. de Antonio López

and the Consulat del MarThe beasts from hell have been released and, accompanied by the devils,are ready to bathe the city streets in re. Although this is an outstand-ing event on the traditional Mercè programme of activities, contrary towhat it might seem, this is not an ancestral celebration, but an inventionthat dates to the restoration of democracy, one that has become popu-lar all over Catalonia and was even seen on the silver screen thanks to

Woody Allen. Dragons breathing smoke from their mouths, monsters likeTarasca, the Mulassa and the Víbria, a dragon with a woman’s breasts asnake’s tail; these are just some of the main characters in this awe-in-spiring spectacle. Do you dare come and meet them?

Fun without dangerThere is not doubt that the Correfoc isa magical event, a spectacle not to be missed,but it should be enjoyed with the maximumprecaution so as to avoid accidents. It is upto each individual spectator to decide wherethey want to see the show and how far they wantto be exposed to the reworks, making a realistic

appraisal of the situation. Watching the Correfoc froma prudent distance need take nothing away from ourenjoyment of the spectacle. In any case, thosetaking part should wear clothing their covers theirwhole body, wear a hat and a neckerchief, as wellas comfortable footwear. Better not to wearsynthetic materials (cotton is better), shorts or

high heeled shoes. And, above all, never pour waterover the devils, as wet gunpowder becomes highlyunpredictable.



Fireworks

Firework displayfriday, sepTember 23 and saTurday, sepTember 24 /

10 pm

Barceloneta beach (Gas jetty)

Two rework displays will take place on the beach this year, lling the

city’s sky with awesome forms and colours. These shows will presentedby two companies devoted to creating elegant spectacles of re and gun-powder, each with its own distinctive style.

friday, sepTember 23

LS ARTSANS SPCTACL (FRANC)saTurday, sepTember 24

PRTCNA LCAN (MAR)

Piromusicalsunday, sepTember 25 / 10 pm

Av. de la Reina Maria Cristina

This is one of the events that awakens the greatest expectation anddraws the biggest crowd, yet it is also one of the saddest moments. Forthe Mercè Piromusical marks the end of celebrations until next year. Thereworks launched from behind the Magic Fountain la Mercè light up thesky, perfectly synchronised with music that, this year, will feature someof the best-known songs, tunes that form part of the soundtrack to ourlives.



Music

BAM Festivalfriday and saTurday, sepTember 23 and 24

Various venues

The latest bands to emerge on the indie scene, both in Catalonia and in-ternationally, are showcased at a festival whose goal is to discover new

talent and detect new trends. This year’s programme will feature notonly some of the most popular Catalan groups, such as Antònia Font,Guillamino and Cuchillo, but also such outstanding international actsas the French duo Herman Düne, the American acts Aloe Blacc and ManMan and, from the UK, Portico Quartet and Zomby.

Mercè Musicfriday and saTurday, sepTember 23 and 24

Various venues

Dance, pop, rock , jazz , amenco, world music... All these sounds and moremake up the festival soundtrack. Those seeking to revive the spirit of thetraditional old festa major marquee should go to Plaça Sant Jaume, wherethey can dance to such groups as Orquestra Plateria and the Gracia Power

rumba ensemble. Those who prefer jazz have a date with the Barcelona Jazz Orquestra and the youthful Sant Andreu Jazz Band in Plaça Catalun-ya. World music fans should check out fado artists like Cuca Roseta andthe fusion of Aziz Sahmaoui in Avinguda de la Catedral. Finally, for rock ,pop and electronica, don’t miss the live show featuring Sidonie and manyother groups and singers at the Fòrum site.



Street

performancesProjections onto thefaçade of the City HallsepTember 22-25

Pl. de Sant JaumeAt night, throughout La Mercè, the City Hall will become the “house ofmagic” for that is when a spectacular show featuring stunning projec-tions will breathe life into the stone of the building, revealing its noctur-nal alter ego. In this way, then, light technology joins the party to pro-duce one of the most attractive events on the programme.

The Park of anceand Street TheatresaTurday and sunday, sepTember 24 and 25

Ciutadella Park

One of the most popular parks in the city hosts a full programme of thea-tre and festive activities for all audiences. With or without the family,festival-goers should not miss a visit to this venue, where they can en-

joy a range of performances, from circus acts to variety theatre turns, allwith a large dose of humour. The venue will also centre particularly ondance, in all its genres, and will feature, as a special guest, a huge travel-ling carillon from Douai in France.



The Park of LightsepTember 22-25

Ciutadella Park

At sunset, the park undergoes a radical change of scenery in order to hosta series of shows in which light plays a key role. Amongst the most excit-ing of these events this year is a version of the ballet Swan Lake, which

takes place in a waterall, transormed by projections, and the central

lake in the park. Don’t miss the dancers – many are rom Saint Peters-burg, our guest city.

The Great Circus at MontjuïcsepTember 24-26

Montjuïc Castle

Once upon a time, this was a strategic point from which soldiers evenbombed the city itself. Today, however, the castle cannon re only laugh-

ter and good cheer, and this is the site of the nest circus acts on theMercè programme, including several artistes from Saint Petersburg, thisyear’s guest city, whilst others, testifying to the good health of Catalancircus, are local performers.



The guest city

Saint Petersburg:from Russia with TalentsepTember 22-25

Montjuïc Castle and Ciutadella Park

Every year, Barcelona invites a dierent city from around the world to

join in with the festivities in honour of its patron saint and, in doing so,to present its nest artists to Barcelona audiences. This year, we are vis-ited by Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second city, whose enormous artisticwealth features particularly many outstanding circus and dance per-formers.

MNTJC CASTL

Visitors to Montjuïc Castle will enjoy an excellent taste of the circus tal-ent to be found in Saint Petersburg. Absolutely not to be missed are theperformances by Licedei, a theatre company founded by the great SlavaPolunin that represents the very essence of that Russian city.

The circus programme at the castle venue also includes a superb selectionof the nest artistes from Saint Petersburg, including the most outstand-ing acrobats and tightrope walkers.

CTALLA PARBy day, Victor Savrasov’s unusual Tubo Transormer and the traditionalfolk group Barynya. By night, dance by the Mariinsky Theatre of SaintPetersburg, presenting their version of Swan Lake alongside several Cat-alan performers. The Russian artist have taken over the park and Barce-lona audiences can only applaud this happy invasion.



Festive museums

Anyone interested in visiting some of the city’s many museums are in-formed that admission to a good number of them will be free on Septem-ber 24, whilst others will also organised activities that day or at othermoments during the festivities. These include the following centres:

CaixaForumMontjuïc CastleCCCBEl Far ConsortiumCosmoCaixaCapitanía General – Palau de la MercèMercat de les FlorsAntoni Tàpies FoundationMACBAMNAC

Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA)Music MuseumBarbier-Mueller MuseumCeramic MuseumNatural Science MuseumMuseum of the History of CataloniaMarès Museum

Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sport MuseumBiomedical Research ParkSagrada Familia

Please note!These are just some of the events on the Mercè’11programme. Many more activities are listed on the fullprogramme for Barcelona’s festa major.



Further information:

— On Internet. Visit the following websites:www.bcn.cat/merce

www.bcn.cat/barcelonacultura

www.facebook.com/barcelonacultura

— By telephone:010: Barcelona Informació, 24 hours a day(cost of call: €0.46, plus €0.06 per minute, charged bythe second, including VAT)

Information adapted for the deaf and hard of hearing:send an SMS to tel. 93 317 14 16.

— At information oces:Tiquet Rambles, Palau de la Virreina (Rambla, 99),from 10 am to 8.30 pmInformation and Tourist Information Oces in Pl. de Sant Jaumeand Pl. de Catalunya

La Merce2011 Program in English

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