TRADITIONS OF CATALUNYA

Catalan Facts• “La senyera” is the name of the flag of Catalunya, witch have a lot of

simbolism for catalan people.• The capital is Barcelona.• One of the tipical dishes is “pa amb tomàquets”, it’s a bread’s slice

with a tomatoe spread on it.• The most important football club is F.C.Barcelona or Barça.• The hymn of Catalunya is “Els Segadors”

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Typical things celebrations

The Sardana is a Catalan folk dance and is the national dance of Catalonia. It is danced in a circle following the music played by a couplet.The couplet is a musical group native Catalonia dominated in the winds.

Is dancing: an undetermined number of dancers form a circle holding hands and looking from the center, dancing in a circle to the left and right tempo with a fairly stable, with an air often slow and concentrated..

It’s star before romans, but isn’t sure.

 

Correfoc

• Literally in English "fire-runs", are among the most striking features present in Catalan festivals. In the correfoc, a group of individuals will dress as devils and light fireworks. While dancing to the drums of a traditional gralla, they will set off their fireworks among crowds of spectators.

• The correfoc can come in many forms. Some are simple parades using fireworks and effigies of the devil. In Sitges, it is common for a crowd to line a street, while participants run through a tunnel of fireworks. In Barcelona and Tarragona, the correfoc is run during the Festival of La Mercè, in September.

Typical things celebrations

Els castells is a human tower which is traditionally constructed from over two hundred years. Is constructed without any mechanical help.Since this year “els castells” is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The current castle is a dress traditional dress shirt with coat color of the gang, white shorts, sash and scarf. The music shows the evolution of castle, is play with gralla and tabalers, both when loaded and unloaded

In Catalonia there are a lots of typical festivals in the different seasons of the year.

La Mercè:The festival in Barcelona during the week of September 24, Day of Mercy. Organized all sorts of activities for all tastes and all ages. Of particular interest are the "correfoc” (dragons of fire coming from all over Catalonia) and the piro-music show (fireworks and classical music to the Montjuïc fountains).

Castanyada: Is a popular festival that is celebrated on All Saints Day, but lately it has moved the celebration on the eve of this day. As Halloween countries English. It consists of a meal when they eat chestnuts, marzipan, candied sweet potatoes and fruit.

AUTUMN

AUTUMN

WINTERTió:

Is a mythological Catalan character and a tradition in Catalonia. Children lash a log with a stick. At the same time they sing songs. The “Tió” make presents to the children if they had put food before.

Carnestoltes:

Is a public carnival that takes place with variable time from late January to early March in the year. It consists to combining elements such as costumes, parades and street parties.

SPRINGSant Jordi:

The most popular legend in Catalonia about Sant Jordi tells that at Montblanc, in Conca de Barberà, there was a terrible dragon which attacked men and beasts. To pacify it, lots were drawn and a person was chosen to be given as a sacrifice to the monster. One day, the misfortune fell on the king's daughter, who would have died in the beast's claws if it had not been for the arrival of a handsome knight who challenged the dragon and killed it. It is said that the blood of the dragon was born a rose of red roses.

This same legend, although with slight variations, is told as a popular legend in England, Portugal and Greece.

Hard to understand for those who have never experienced it, Saint George's Day is a popular festive day when book and rose stalls, and, above all, floods of people, take over the streets of all Catalan towns and villages. The celebration could not be simpler: the ritual consists of going for a walk and buying a rose, a book or both to give to loved ones, family members and friends. Although it is not a public holiday, the day and the essential walk fill the streets and squares, making it a unique national festival celebrated on a working day.

The origin of this unusual festival can be found in a mixture of traditions and customs from different periods. The fact that Saint George is the patron saint of Catalonia coincides with another medieval custom of celebrating a Rose Fair or "Lovers' Fair" at the Palau de la Generalitat.To these more traditional celebrations was added Book Day, established throughout Spain in 1926. The literary celebration ended up mixing with the Catalan traditions to create a special day which has won widespread public support.

SUMMER

Sant Joan:Is the night of June 23 and celebrated the summer solstice. To celebrate it made bonfires, they throw firecrackers and fireworks, and eat the traditional coca de Sant Joan.

Festes de Gràcia: La Festa Major de Gràcia is the biggest of the local neighbourhood festivals in Barcelona and a big street party with many wonderful Catalan traditions and a full programme of concerts and activities filling the streets of Gracia every night during the festival.

11 de Setembre-La Diada:Each September 11 marks a historic defeat and the loss of institutions and civil liberties, with concerts, gifts, and with the aim of claiming freedom and identity in Catalonia. Many Catalans take advantage of this day to hang flags on their balconies.

SUMMER