Festes de la Mercè in Barcelona

History of Festes de la Mercè

The colourful history of Festes de la Mercè dates as far back as the Middle Ages. As with most traditional celebrations in Barcelona, the festival of Mercè has religious roots. It all started when the Catalonian city was miraculously saved by La Mare de Déu de la Mercè (aka Virgin of Grace) and the Patron Saint of Barcelona from two terrible disasters.

It is thought that the Virgin of Grace appeared to King Jaume I on September 24^th, 1218, and asked him to save his fellow citizen Christians under capture in Saracen lands. He was ordered to start a religious order to facilitate their release, which is why the annual festival has been marked since the Middle Ages.

More than four centuries later, the saint appeared again in 1687 and saved Barcelona from a locust plague. When the city was free of the epidemic, she was designated patroness of Barcelona, though this was not validated or recognised by the Pope until 1868. Since then, an annual celebration in honour of the Virgin has been held throughout the city.

It wasn’t until the late nineteenth century that the local authorities recognised Festes de la Mercè despite being celebrated almost spontaneously since the early 13th century. From here on, the many different colourful performances, dances, and displays that occur during the festival have been internally coordinated by the local authorities. Most neighbourhoods have also played a critical role in making the celebration successful over the centuries.

Interestingly, mercè is a Catalan word usually synonymous with loving mercy, a sense of compassion, assistance, help, and service to fellow humankind. A wooden image of La Mare de Déu de la Mercè is often venerated in a basilica in the Gothic Quarter.

What’s more, Barcelona welcomes a different guest city each year to celebrate the festival of Mercè. It is part of the city’s initiative to widen cultural ties and understanding between states around the world, as well as celebrate the best of its cultural and artistic scene. The city duo will collaborate for several months in the build-up to the festival, marrying the best cultures of the two cities to create a truly unique experience. Recent guest cities include Dhaka, St. Petersburg, Montreal, Stockholm, and Buenos Aires.

Festes de la Mercè 2020 FAQ:

What’s Festes de la Mercè?

Festes de la Mercè is an annual street festival held in Barcelona in honour of the city’s patron saint, Our Lady of Mercy (La Mare de Déu de la Mercè). The four-day fare is one of the most notable events in Barcelona’s calendar and takes place in late September.

During the event, the streets and all barrios of Barcelona come together to honour and celebrate the patron who saved the city twice from disasters. Although its roots are religious, today’s la Mercè festival has almost nothing to do with religion. Instead, the city celebrates its heritage with colourful dances, impressive displays, and cultural traditions.

When is the La Mercè Festival?

The Festes de la Mercè takes place each year, usually over four or five days in late September. Many events, celebrations, and programmes occur in the lead-up to the actual day of La Mercè, which takes place on September 24th. All festivities and fanfare are designed to take place around this special occasion.

This year, the festival of Our Lady of Mercy will occur from 23rd through 26th September.

What Occurs during the Festival?

Plenty! La Mercè is a massive citywide affair, comprising many different festivals co-occurring. There are, in fact, too many festivals that even Catalonians themselves are spoilt for choice.

Here are La Mercè highlights you may want to check out during the week-long event:

• Toc d’Inici at La Mercè – Perhaps the littlest-known aspect of the festival is the opening speech (also known as proclamation or pregó). It’s delivered by a different personality each year from the Barcelona cultural scene. The address is only a tip of the Toc d’Inici, an opening celebration involving lots of music and a fantastic show with monsters and giants.
• Correfoc – This ancient Catalan practice is a mesmerising fire-run parade, during which the Via Laietana streets are lit with fireworks.
• Gegants – Officially the Ball de Gegants, this celebration translates to “ball of the giants.” And as the name suggests, this event involves giant papier-mâché sculptures that parade down the streets while dancing to fun music.
• La Sardana – This is a traditional Catalan dance whereby the performers create a circle and hold hands while dancing. It’ll blow you away.
• Nits al Castell – The Nights at the Castle is a star-studded line-up of daredevil acrobatic shows and circus acts. They take place in the Nou Barris neighbourhood and at Montjuic Castle. This is one nugget you shouldn’t miss out on during La Mercè.
• Ball de Bastons – During the stick dance, happy folks dressed in folkloric costumes enjoy a choreographed dance while they clash their batons. It’s quite an exhilarating sight.
• Xambanga at La Mercè – The bewitching parade will kick off at the Maritime Museum and proceed gradually in the direction of Plaça de Sant Jaume. It involves dancing beasts and giants that take over the streets with their goofy acts and dances.
• Concerts & Theatre – Live music is aplenty thanks to the BAM Festival, which schedules many different concerts that take place at the same time throughout Barcelona. Meanwhile, the MAC Festival brings an impressive roster of street theatre, dance, and performing arts.

What Else Should I Expect during the La Mercè Festival?

Many city museums, buildings, and attractions are discounted or free during the festival. Other must-see things include Mostra de Vins i Caves de Catalunya, Capgrossos, Castells, and Piromusical at La Mercè.