Customs and Traditions
The tradition of building human towers
Catalonia is very rich in customs
and traditions. The squares and streets are full of animation
all the year round due to the liturgical calendar or local celebrations.
Sardana is considered to be the Catalan national dance. It is danced in circles to the strains of typical wind instruments of the cobla (typical ensemble). "Ball de bastons" (folk dance with sticks) and jota from Ebre region are other folk dances, while the singing of havaneres, typical from the coast, reminds us of a past of overseas colonies.
Another very notable cultural expression is the building of human towers, a custom originary of Tarragona that has been spreading to other places in the country. The groups of castellers (participants in the human tower) compete to build the tower of best structure and height, up to nine floors crowned by the enxaneta, a child who, standing at the top, raises his/her arm while the sounds of the gralla (a kind of flageolet) is heard.
A perfect combination of feeling and culture is the celebration of Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia. Each 23th of April, the streets fill up with flowers and books. Some days later, on 27 April, the patron saint of Catalonia, Mother of God of Monserrat, is honored.
Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia
In the evening of the 23th of June, the shortest night in the year, coinciding with the summer solstice, the festival of Saint John begins. It's the moment in which the sun is in its northernmost point, and everywhere bonfires are lit. It is said that they keep away demons, diseases and misfortunes. Rockets are heard as people eat coca (flat cake) and drink cava.
The Christmas celebrations (Christmas, New Year's Eve and Epiphany), of a particularly family character, are more important in our country, as well as in spring time, Easter, with performances of the "Passions" and the Easter.
Besides all of these celebrations, we should also mention the festivals that each village or town has appointed to honor its own patron saints. They have elements in common like procession of giants (made of papier maché), correfocs (the crowd runs to avoid fireworks) with demons and firecrackers, bands of music, fireworks, etc.
Sardana is considered to be the Catalan national dance. It is danced in circles to the strains of typical wind instruments of the cobla (typical ensemble). "Ball de bastons" (folk dance with sticks) and jota from Ebre region are other folk dances, while the singing of havaneres, typical from the coast, reminds us of a past of overseas colonies.
Another very notable cultural expression is the building of human towers, a custom originary of Tarragona that has been spreading to other places in the country. The groups of castellers (participants in the human tower) compete to build the tower of best structure and height, up to nine floors crowned by the enxaneta, a child who, standing at the top, raises his/her arm while the sounds of the gralla (a kind of flageolet) is heard.
A perfect combination of feeling and culture is the celebration of Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia. Each 23th of April, the streets fill up with flowers and books. Some days later, on 27 April, the patron saint of Catalonia, Mother of God of Monserrat, is honored.
Saint George, patron saint of Catalonia
In the evening of the 23th of June, the shortest night in the year, coinciding with the summer solstice, the festival of Saint John begins. It's the moment in which the sun is in its northernmost point, and everywhere bonfires are lit. It is said that they keep away demons, diseases and misfortunes. Rockets are heard as people eat coca (flat cake) and drink cava.
The Christmas celebrations (Christmas, New Year's Eve and Epiphany), of a particularly family character, are more important in our country, as well as in spring time, Easter, with performances of the "Passions" and the Easter.
Besides all of these celebrations, we should also mention the festivals that each village or town has appointed to honor its own patron saints. They have elements in common like procession of giants (made of papier maché), correfocs (the crowd runs to avoid fireworks) with demons and firecrackers, bands of music, fireworks, etc.