The Catalan Festival 2014: Giants, Dances and Human Towers

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Probably one of the most common enquiries on our Old City Free Walking Tour is “where can I see a human tower being built?”. Well, as luck has it, the City Council of Barcelona is proud to show off the unique Catalan culture to visitors. Every Saturday evening during the Summer months and in front of the cathedral you can find human castles, giants, traditional dances and much more. Want to know what, where and how? Read on for the lowdown on groups and the 2014 timetable.

WHERE TO SEE HUMAN TOWERS IN BARCELONA AND OTHER CATALAN TRADITIONS:

The Catalan traditions will take place most Saturdays in front of Barcelona’s Cathedral at 7:30pm from the 10th of May until the 30th of August. This is what you will see each day:

“CASTELLS” (HUMAN TOWERS)

An Impressive Catalan display of a tower made up of humans. There are different types depending on the amount of people on each floor. It is considered built when a young child climbs to the top and raises their hand. Hopefully they won’t all topple down after, but if they do, the young children are wearing helmets for protection.

Dates: 17th May, 24th May, 28th June, 5th July, 19th July, 2nd August, 23rd August, 30th August

“FALCONS” (HUMAN BUILDINGS)

This groups make human shape formations such as pyramids, revolving towers, etc. Some of the structures can be pretty intricate. The music, as in the castells, is always present, although they do not go as high up as the human towers.

Dates: 31st May, 21st June, 28th June, 16th August

“GEGANTS” (GIANTS)

These are large papier-mâché figures that walk around the streets. A real person is carrying it from under the skirt and different giants represent different neighbourhoods or associations. It is quite amazing to see these Goliath figures performing their own individual dances.

Dates: 17th May, 24th May, 31st May, 21st June, 5th July, 2nd August, 9th August, 16th August, 23rd August

“BASTONERS” (STICK DANCERS)

I love this very ceremonial dance using sticks. It derives from a demonstration of skills with weapons in the old times. Small wooden bats are used in the jig but you still have to be pretty deft not to get your fingers clobbered.

Dates: 19th July, 26th July, 9th August

“SARDANAS”, “MOIXIGANGAS”, ETC (TRADITIONAL DANCES)

The most traditional dance in Catalonia is the Sardana. Everyone forms a circle holding hands as they trace their steps. Not so fashionable anymore with the younger generation, this jig is mainly performed by the proud golden oldies. During this festival, you will see older and younger together though.

Dates: 10th May, 7th June, 14th June (at 5:30pm), 12th July, 30th August

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE CATALAN FESTIVAL 2014:

10th May

Moixiganga de Barcelona (dance)
Moixiganga de Vilanova i la Geltrú (dance)
Ball de Gitanes de Vilafranca (dance)

17th May

Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia (human towers)
Castellers de Cornellà (human towers)
Gegants de Sant Pere (giants)

24th May

Castellers de la Sagrada Família (human towers)
Castellers colla Jove Xiquets de Vilafranca (human towers)
Gegants del Raval (giants)

31st May

Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de Vilanova (human buildings)
Gegants de la Barceloneta (giants)

7th June

Espectacle de l’Esbart Sant Martí (dance)

14th June (5:30 pm)

Aplec Violetes del Bosc (dance)

21st June

Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de Malla (human buildings)
Gegants de la Sagrada Família (giants)

28th June

Castellers de la Vila de Gràcia (human towers)
Castellers de Sant Feliu de Llobregat (human towers)
Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)

5th July

Castellers de la Sagrada Família (human towers)
Castellers de Castelldefels (human towers)
Gegants del casc antic (giants)

12th July

Espectacle dels Ballets de Catalunya (dance)

19th July

Castellers del Poble Sec (human towers)
Castellers colla Jove de Barcelona (human towers)
Bastoners de l’esbart català de Dansaires (stick dancers)

26th July

Bastoners del casc antic (stick dancers)
Bastoners del Clot (stick dancers)
Bastoners de Gràcia (stick dancers)

2nd August

Castellers de Súria (human towers)
Gegants de Sant Andreu (giants)
Gegants del Pi (giants)

9th August

Bastoners de Gràcia (stick dancers)
Gegants de Gràcia (giants)
Tabalers Federació Diables Barcelona (drum bands)

16th August

Falcons de Barcelona (human buildings)
Falcons de Vallbona (human buildings)
Gegants de la Plaça nova (giants)

23rd August

Castellers colla Jove Xiquets de Vilafranca (human towers)
Gegants de Sarrià (giants)
Gegants de Sant Jaume (giants)

30th August

Castellers colla Jove de Barcelona (human towers)
Castellers encantats de Begues (human towers)
Colla sardanista Mare Nostrum (dance)