Barcelona La Merce Festival 2008
La Merce festival, so much to do in so little time. Every year close to the end of September Barcelona’s streets erupt and passages block as the Merce festival hits town from the 19th to the 28th of September 2008.
Merce Festival History
Barcelona La Merce lasts for about 10 days and is a festival held in honor of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The festival, which started in 1902, bids goodbye to the Summer and welcomes in the cooler months of Autumn.
La Merce Highlights
Correfoc - Fire Run
Main Event: Saturday 20th September 2008
Time: 20.30 to 22.30
Location: Porta Cambó, av. Francesc Cambó, pl. Antoni Maura, Via Laietana, pl. Antoni López i Consolat del Mar
The ” Junior” fire run is in the same location along Via Laietana starting at 18.30 on Saturday 20th September 2008.
If you are going to attend the Correfoc it is highly advisable to take protective clothing because often powerful sparkler fireworks are sprayed into the crowds with little regard for human safety. Advisable to bring a Jumper with Hood, Bandanna and glasses.
There is normally 2 types of Correfoc on the same evening. One of them is for the children and is a lot more tame than the “adult” Correfoc. The Correfoc event takes place at dusk normally along and around Via Laietana. The road will be closed off and then opens to “The Devils” . The devils run up the streets with bangers and hand held fireworks, fire breathing dragons roam the streets with Devils skipping along with spiraling fireworks in every which direction.
Castellers Human towers
Date: Sunday 21st September 2008
Time: 10.30 -12.00
Entrance: Free
Location: Av. de la Catedral, Pl. Nova, Bisbe i Pl Sant Jaume.
This event is one of the highlights of the Merce festival and normally takes place in Placa de Jaume. Thousands of people will pack out the square so it is worth arriving early. The aim of the Castellers is to build a human tower and have a young child climb to the very top of the tower and stand up. It requires a tremendous amount of planning strength and teamwork to pull off this Human Tower.
Gigantes (Giants Parade)
There are a number of Giant Parade events occurring - the main ones are from the 23rd to 24th of September.
Huge giants with effigies of kings, queens and nobles march through the streets of Barcelona these huge figures tower above the crowds and spin around and around so the crowds can see them in all their glory. The Parade is often accompanied by small percussion groups that beat out a rhythm on drums as the Giants go by.
The Barcelona La Merce festival is over a week long free music, fireworks, free entrance to Galleries to make the most of your days check
http://www.bcn.cat/merce/en/index.shtml
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