Easter means holidays, eggs, bunnies… and tons of chocolate! Did you know that chocolate has played an important role in the economic activity of Barcelona? Actually, the Catalan port was the starting point for the sale and distribution of the product all over Europe. So it’s not difficult to figure out that Barcelona… Read More
Hi, I’m Sa Majestat el Rei Carnestoltes (His Majesty the King Carnival) and I am addicted to fun, madness and love breaking conventional social rules. I heard rumors about a woman who doesn’t agree with my lifestyle. She is La Vella Quaresma (the Old Lady Lent). She will be here in seven days, so let’s make… Read More
February 12th marks the feast day of Santa Eulàlia and the beginning of the city’s winter festival. But who is Santa Eulàlia, besides the co-patron saint of Barcelona? Her name means “the one who speaks well”. Born in 290 Eulàlia was a brave 13-year-old virgin, who preferred to suffer martyrdom at the hands of the Roman… Read More
Every year, around this time, Halloween arrives to our streets with pumpkin and spooky decorations displayed in shops. However much fun Halloween can be, it is an imported tradition that arrived with all the promotion from TV and films. So what are our own Catalan traditions around this time? When it starts to get cold… Read More
In the Catalan-speaking lands and beyond, the night of June 23 is known as Saint John’s Night or the Night of Fire: Sant Joan. Different traditions take place on this date: bonfires, fireworks, dances and even running races in the woods carrying flaming logs. There are different opinions regarding this feast’s origin: some say it… Read More
The «Tió de Nadal«, meaning in English «Christmas Log», also known simply as «Tió», is a Catalan Christmas tradition which is very well established among families. In the last years the original tradition has been changing. In the past it was a hollow and burnt piece of cut wood or log taken from the fireplace… Read More
La Mercè is the Festa Major of Barcelona, when we celebrate the Saint’s Day of Our Lady of Mercy, La Mare de Déu de la Mercè. It has been an official city holiday since 1871, which first consisted of a Roman Catholic festivity commemorating St. Mercè on 24 September. The opening speech will be given… Read More
Catalonia has preserved a great variety of arts and trades. All over the region traditional trades like lace cushion making, especially in Arboç, or palm leaves and ‘palmons’ (whitened palm leaf displayed on Palm Sunday) are still practiced. The trade of basket making or pottery and tile making has not been lost either, with… Read More
Barcelona is known for being one of the best cities in Europe to enjoy and participate in sports. The first foundation of a sports club in Barcelona was that of Cercle Equí (Horse Riding Club) in 1856. Since then, an important number of clubs have been created, such as Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona, Futbol… Read More
Staging a production as abundant as surprising, this exhibition explains why a new entertainment area emerged in the city, leading the weight of the theatrical performances in Barcelona over 40 years. El Paral·lel emerges from the project to extend the city designed by Ildefons Cerdà. Once opened in 1894, this avenue was a leisure… Read More
