On Thursday night we went to the opening ceremonies where we saw the the paper maché giants or gegants i capgrossos, the Barcelona Devils, the City Giants, the Eagle, the Lion, the
Dragon Monster and a forty person orchestra with very traditional instruments that only plays publicly once a year.
(The Dragon Monster; the paper maché giants - gegants i capgrossos; and the 40 person orchestra)
Friday morning we went to another plaza to see the human towers or castells. The three best human tower groups of Catalonia put on quite the show of strength, balance, and pure talent in which they create...human towers. Friday night started in a plaza down Las Ramblas with a concert from The Morning Benders, a band from Malibu. We actually got to hang out with the band after they played which was a very nice addition to the evening. Although they are an American band it was really neat to see how many Spanish people were so into the performance.
(The castells; the Morning Benders concert)
After sleeping in nicely on Saturday morning, we walked around the center plaza looking at all the tents and boutiques that had been set up for the weekend. As it was our friend Meghan's birthday (21!) we headed to the beach for a relaxing day. Then Saturday night, the night we had been looking forward to most of the festival, was upon us and so was the Correfoc - the festival of fire. The gates of hell open, devils and beasts of all shapes and sizes run through the streets throwing fireworks and chasing the bravest citizens. The only thing you can smell is gunpowder, the only thing you can see if fire, and the only thing you want to do is run. It is one of the most popular parts of La Mercé but everyone is advised to wear sweatshirts, hats, and pants as there is actual fire being thrown throughout the streets.
Tuvimos mucho miedo (we were very scared) but we knew that we could not miss out on this part of the festival. We stayed towards the back of the crowds on the street as to avoid as much fire as we could but it was still such an amazing thing to see/be a part of. I wouldn't go as far to say that next year I want to be one of those 'brave citizens' running from the fire but I'm so glad I can cross watching it off my bucket list.
(The gates of hell; the devils coming out)
After the Correfoc we went to another plaza to watch a Catalan reggae/dub step band. Although we had no idea what they were saying (Catalan is an entirely different language from Spanish or Castellano) we really enjoyed it. The plaza was next to the port so we had a great view of the fireworks going off at the beach while we watched the band. Then we headed to yet another plaza, Placa Espanya, where I have never seen so many people in one place at one time. The plaza is on the steps of the National Catalan Art Museum, Muesu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, and almost looked like there was a very important inauguration going on. The music was fantastic, the people were great, and the vibe was unforgettable.
(My friend's Dani, Katie, and Meghan at the Catalan concert)
And last night was the closing evening of La Mercé. My friend Honor and I went to this circ de soleil- esque performance at Parc de la Ciutadella. It was truly phenomenal. They were suspended in the air and made all their moves look effortless. And it was a musical performance so there were people singing and acting and dancing. At the end of the show, Honor and I met a guy who plays rugby for Barcelona and he came with us to Plaza Espanya for the closing ceremony and fireworks. He was really cool and it was just fun to be hanging out with a professional athlete :) But anyways, the fireworks were beautiful and just lit up the sky wonderfully. It was the most perfect end to the most fantastic weekend.
(The shows; Tane (the rugby player), Honor, and me at the fireworks)
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