The Barcelona Winter Fest: Fiesta of Santa Eulalia
The Fiesta de Santa Eulalia, also known as the Winter Festival in Barcelona, is about to kick off. Get ready your agenda, the camera and some more belongings because you will not be quiet. The agenda in Barcelona is tight from 10 to 12 February.
1_ The young woman with principles who became the patron saint of Barcelona
The festival is celebrated in honor of Santa Eulalia, copatron of the city of Barcelona along with the Mercè. Its legend counts as Eulalia, a youngChristian woman of 13 years , faced the consul Daciano to rebel against the unfair acts that were being carried out in the city of Barcelona at century IV by order of the Roman emperor Diocleciano.
Consequently by her rebellion, Eulalia was imprisoned and tortured thirteen times (what strange coincidence that is the same number as the age of the girl, or not?). Finally the punishments ended his life.
Since then, that girl has become a symbol of the struggle for the defense of justice and solidarity. Today Barcelona still remembering her. Santa Eulàlia is related to solidarity and commitment to youth.
According to popular legend, when Eulalia ceased to be the patron saint of the city to be succeeded by the Merce, she was so sad that she could not stop crying. In the Festival de la Mercé it is usual to rain and, according to legend, rain is the tears of Santa Eulalia.
2_ The moving of Barcelona Local citizens to the patron Eulalia had a happy ending
The motive is to pay tribute to Santa Eulalia, who had been patroness of the city until the eighteenth century for its relentless struggle for justice against the Roman Empire
In fact, the gothic Cathedral of Barcelona is erected in invocation to the Holy Cross and, of course, the Santa and martyr patron of the city, Santa Eulalia. It is right in the crypt of the Cathedral where there is the alabaster sarcophagus where the Santa rests. Worth to visit.
Despite having been so many centuries as our patron, proclaimed in the seventeenth century, it was not until the last century that her feasts were celebrated.
Curiously, the origin of the celebration of the day of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona is relatively recent. They have always been fickle parties that had been subject to liturgical acts and institutional celebrations until the 1980s.
It was in 1983 with the initiative of giants of the district of Ciutat Vella .At 1985 with the support of the councilor of culture, the city decides to celebrate many activities of popular type.
At the end of the nineties the moving was finished and the celebrations of Santa Eulalia were consolidated like the winter celebrations of Barcelona.
3_ Note down the events held in Barcelona for Santa Eulalia
Parties full of popular culture, definitely for all ages and tastes. Celebrations that show and extol the conceptual symbolism of the martyr: Solidarity and commitment to young people. They are popular and traditional festivals, where the dances and festive events of the city are exalted. However, in recent years they have been renewed and adding more modern events that praise the beauty of urban heritage, such as the Festival LlumBCN.
If you want to feel like a real local, plan your trip in Barcelona to attend some of the most outstanding activities that we suggest.
Traditional
- Sardanas: The typical dance of Catalonia, very present in the celebrations of Santa Eulalia. A great sardana dance is organized in the Plaza Sant Jaume, in front of the Palau de la Generalitat (Catalonian Government Palace) . The sardanas end with the famous dance of Santa Eulalia just when the Laies procession arrives.
- Castellers: The typical and wellknow castles of people are the protagonists of the party . An amazing event of Castellers is celebrated on Sunday in the Plaza Sant Jaume.
- Correfoc: One of the most anticipated acts, begins in the Rambla and ends in the Plaza Sant Jaume. It is a great activity, both for big and small people, where hundreds of Barceloneses congregate. We suggest you go well covered with cotton clothing with long sleeves and long pants, hats.
- Santa Eulalia entourage: The parade par excellence of this celebration. It has the largest part of giants, cabezudos and historical bestiary of the city. The parade takes place on Sunday from eleven in the morning and runs through the streets of the Gòtic neighborhood to the Plaza Sant Jaume.
Festival LlumBCN
festival LlumBCN or LightBCN Fest: Oustanding Show . Throughout the 3 days light installations will transform and give life to streets, squares and buildings of the city of Barcelona. Created by schools and design professionals. From Friday 10 to Sunday 12 February. An unparalleled spectacle that makes the heart beat of the city’s heritage and, at the same time, its spectators.
Festival LlumBCN will leave you stupefied, do not miss it and organize your agenda, there is much to see:
- 3 Itineraries around the city
- 1 Exhibition “Les Laies” in the Palau de la Virreina
- 14 Squares of Museums and Palaces
- 12 Artistic shows with light
Hostaliners do not miss the Fiesta of Santa Eulalia in Barcelona from February 10th to 12th Share your experiences with us on Social Networks
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