| Catalan /Valenciancultural domain |
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 Castells in front of theSagrada Familia in Barcelona |
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Music and performing arts |
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There are quite a number of festivals and traditions inCatalonia (Spain).[1] While most are of ancient origin, certain traditions are of relatively recent introduction. There are also some that are common to the whole Catalan society, but others are relevant only to a particular location. Generally, locals welcome outsiders to share with them in their celebration.
Thecorrefocs, in which "devils" play with fire close the onlookers, is one of the most striking of the Catalan festive events. The devils are not considered the incarnation of evil; they are sprightly and festive characters, dancing to the sound of drums and the traditionalgralla, while they set off theirfireworks.
Another tradition occurs during the spring festival day ofSant Jordi (St George's Day, 23 April), in which men giveroses (mostly in a deep red color) to women, and women give a book to men as a present. That day is also known as"Dia del Llibre" (Book Day), coinciding with the anniversaries of the deaths ofWilliam Shakespeare,Miguel de Cervantes andJosep Pla. The streets are full of people gathering around book and flower stands.
Perhaps the most spectacular of the Catalan festivals are those of thecolles castelleres, groups of enthusiasts who form impressive human towers (up to ten people high). This is an old tradition of theTarragona region, which has now spread to many parts of Catalonia, and has become a real spectacle, or sport, that attracts thousands of people. Amongst other important festivities are thecarnivals over all the region, especially inSitges,Solsona,Tarragona andVilanova i la Geltrú, and thePatum inBerga.
In Catalonia, there are a few local Christmas traditions; one of them is the popular figure of theTió de Nadal. Another custom is to put up a"Pessebre"Nativity scene, which often includes theCaganer, afigurine depicted in the act ofdefecation.[2] It is also traditional to hang small branches ofmistletoe(vesc) above the doors.
Traditionally, all Catalan men and women are named after aChristian saint,Virgin orBiblical personality. Besides celebrating birthdays, Catalan people used to celebrate their given name saint's day, according to theGeneral Roman Calendar.
The Catalan "Diada" orNational Day of Catalonia is on 11 September, after the defeat and surrender ofBarcelona to the French-Castilian army ofPhilip V of Spain and his supporters during theWar of Spanish Succession. Similarly 7 November is also remembered in Northern Catalonia after theTreaty of the Pyrenees.
Among the musical traditions, there is the very special music of thecobles, the wind bands that playsardanes. Thesardana is acircular, open dance, that originated in theEmpordà region (north of the country by theMediterranean sea) and thePyrenees (CatalanPirineus), and is now danced in many squares and streets all over Catalonia.
Popular folk songs includeEl Rossinyol,La Balanguera,La Santa Espina,Virolai andEl Cant dels Ocells. Some of them became something like unofficial national anthems under the years ofGeneral Franco's dictatorship. Some of those songs became popular all over the world with the success of theOrfeó Català choir around the beginning of the 20th century. Another song, created by the present singerLluís Llach,L'Estaca, also gained sudden recognition as expressing the national feeling of Catalans. Despite its relatively recent introduction, singingL'Estaca became a kind of tradition.
Another important Catalan musical tradition is the singing ofhavaneres and burningrhum together at thecremat which often happen simultaneously.[3]
There are a number of Catalan culinary traditions, some of them coincide with a religious festival, like cooking a big Christmas Day meal on 25 December which includesescudella i carn d'olla.Saint Stephen's Day on 26 December is a holiday in Catalonia. It is celebrated right after Christmas, with another big meal includingcanelons stuffed with the ground remaining meat of the previous day. These events are usually celebrated along with kin and close friends.
Other religious event related foods include thePanellets sweets eaten onAll Saints' Day and theBunyols de Quaresma puffy little buns eaten to celebrateLent.
One of the most representative Catalan gastronomy-centered events is theCalçotada. This is a group event where a certain type of tender onions (calçots) are barbecued outdoors, among much feasting and merrymaking with family and friends.
Similar occasions may be theCostellada and theBotifarrada, where mutton ribs orbotifarra sausages are barbecued. Sometimes people also get together to roast pine kernels orchestnuts; the latter is known as"Castanyada", and it is a favoured event in the fall.
TheVermut is a tradition, of having a lightaperitif with olives and potato chips before the Sunday meal (formerly after going to church) together with family and friends.[4]
An important tradition in rural areas of Catalonia is thepig slaughter (Matança del porc). Although it has declined in importance owing to strict sanitaryEuropean Community rules and public sensitivities, it is still celebrated in certain villages, likeLa Cellera de Ter,Artesa de Segre,Vall-de-roures,Passanant andLa Llacuna.
Mushroom hunting is a popular activity inCatalonia, where a mushroom hunter is calledboletaire. There is a tradition of going to hunt mushrooms as a family or group in the fall, after the rains marking the end of the summer season.
In Catalonia,sport often has a strongnational and political connotation. TheBarçafootball team and theUSAP Perpignanrugby team are often considered, especially by someCatalan nationalists, to act as unofficialnational teams of Catalonia.
| Date | Official Name | Indigenous name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Any nou | Celebrates beginning of theGregorian calendar year. Festivities include counting down to midnight (12:00 am) on the preceding night, New Year's Eve. |
| 5 January | Epiphany | Dia de Reis | There is a long tradition for having the children receive their Christmas presents by the "Three King" (Tres Reis) during the night of 5 January (Biblical Magi Eve). On this day, people usually eat a special cake calledTortell de reis. |
| March or April | Good Friday | Divendres Sant | In many cities of Catalonia,processions with statues representing thePassion of Christ are held. |
| Easter | Pasqua | Celebration of theResurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day afterhis crucifixion. Children traditionally receive amona (a traditional Easter cake) from their Godparent. | |
| Easter Monday | Dilluns de Pasqua | Second day of theoctave of Easter. | |
| 23 April | St George's Day | Diada de Sant Jordi | Saint George (Sant Jordi) is the patron saint of Catalonia. It is traditional to give a rose and a book to a loved one. |
| 27 April | Virgin of Montserrat's Day | Mare de Déu de Montserrat | Virgin of Montserrat (la Moreneta) is the patroness of Catalonia. |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Dia dels Treballadors | National holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. |
| 23 June | Midsummer | Revetlla de Sant Joan | Celebration in honour of St. John the Baptist and takes place in the evening of 23 June. Parties are organised usually at beaches, where bonfires are lit and a set of firework displays usually take place. Special foods such asCoca de Sant Joan are also served on this occasion. |
| 24 June | St. John's Day | Dia de Sant Joan | Christianfeast day celebrating the birth of Jesus’ likely cousin,Saint John the Baptist. This is considered to be the national day of theCatalan Countries.[5] |
| 11 September | National Day of Catalonia | Diada Nacional de Catalunya | Catalonia commemorates the 1714Siege of Barcelona defeat during theWar of the Spanish Succession. Throughout the day, there are political demonstrations, concerts and celebration events. Many citizens wave eithersenyeres. |
| 1 November | All Saints Day | Tots Sants | It is asolemnity to honour and remember the relatives and loved ones who had died.Panellets are the traditional dessert on this holiday. |
| 25 December | Christmas | Nadal | Celebrates the birth of Jesus. TheTio de Nadal is a part of the celebrations. |
| 26 December | Saint Stephen's Day | Sant Esteve | It is celebrated right after Christmas, with a big meal includingcanelons. These are stuffed with the ground remaining meat from theescudella i carn d'olla,turkey orcapó of the previous day. |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | Cap d'Any | Final Day of theGregorian year. Usually accompanied by much celebration. |
