Every year in European summer the Catalan provinces in north east Spain celebrate all saints days. In Vilafranca del Penedès, a province of Barcelona of the 12 century, there is one of the most spectacular one and in the end of august many families come together from all the region to celebrate ,,Saint Felix" the city saint.

During five days there is a variety of...
more »

Every year in European summer the Catalan provinces in north east Spain celebrate all saints days. In Vilafranca del Penedès, a province of Barcelona of the 12 century, there is one of the most spectacular one and in the end of august many families come together from all the region to celebrate ,,Saint Felix" the city saint.

During five days there is a variety of activities for young and old. For the adults the main day is on 30 of august and people make party until late at night. On September first then there is a special children's day with artistic performances and traditional dances. The ,,Castellers", the human towers with up to nine or ten stages are the most famous attraction. Also knowen are the ,,Gegantes"(giant figures) which represent the Catalan Kings James I from Aragon and Yolanda(*1219-51) from Hungary. A lot of popularity also has the fire sparking Dragon who goes at the front of the procession followed by the devils and dance groups. Later at night people from young to old come mummed and with wet cloths to dance under the fire the dragon and devils spray over the crowed.Then also suddenly appear the ,,Correfocs". People disguised as cattish chimeras and equipped with burning torches run in between the crowed, try to frighten and horrifying the people. Apart of those there are lots of other dance and performance groups like the horses, gibsies or fantasy animals. The celebrations are an important family activity and the children's participation is a central issue in conserving their traditions.
Eleven years old Laya dances inside of one of the ,,Gegantes"(giants). Since 500 years the people in Vilafrnaca del Penedès dance the giants during the traditional celebration. The figures are made of pulp and wood.
Eleven years old Francesc is dancing inside the King this year. The figure represents King James I from Aragon(Rei Jaume 1/ *1208-1276). The King was known as the conqueror and became the King of Aragon(1213-76) when he was only 5 years old.
« less