Finally winter is over, and Barcelona can welcome the warmer spring temperatures! Let's have a look, what's happening in March in Barcelona.
Festes de Sant Medir de Gràcia
Illustration 1 Sant Medir 2017 by Ajuntament Barcelona | flickr
Festes de Sant Medir de Gracia is also known as la festa més dolça in Catalan. The reason for its Catalan name, is the huge amount of candy that is being distributed during the festival. This annual event takes place on the 3rd of March in Vila de Gracia, the Gràcia district.
The origin of this festival stems from a local baker's near death in 1830. Praying in his deathbed for recovery, he prayed to God and promised to cherish Sant Medir by doing an annual pilgrimage to the chapel. After his recovery, he fulfilled his promise and started his journey with music, to alert the neighbours, and candies for by-watchers.
Years later, it is nowadays a big festival, which attracts a lot of children, since almost six tons of candies are being thrown out of the hundreds of carriages.
For more information, please visit the official website.
Mutek Festival
DIGI_LAB by MUTEKatMazda / SONIC ROBOTS (DE) from MUTEK Barcelona on Vimeo.
The 9th edition of Mutek will take place from the 7th of March until the 10th this year. Mutek is a not-for-profit organisation, which objective is to spread and to further the "development of digital creativity in sound, music, and visual-art" (Mutek.org, 2018).
This year's edition comes with new collaborations, Spanish debuts, audiovisual presentations, as well as presentations from Québec, artists from Canada, and showcasings from international and local talents.
For more information, please click here.
Aplec de Santa Madrona
On the 15th of March, Barcelona celebrates the feast day of patron saint Santa Madrona. Even though Madrona died on the 15th of March, the city decided to hold this festivity four weeks after Easter due to the weather condition.
During these festive days, Barcelona will start with a cercavila, musical processions in each of the neighbourhoods, and a pilgrimage from Plaça de Santa Madrona (Poble-Sec) to the saint's shrine on Montjüic.
For more information, please click here.
Setmana Santa (Holy Week)
Illustration 2 Easter Procession in Barcelona by Kevin Hutchinson | flickr
Barcelona celebrates Setmana Santa, or Holy Week, from 29th of March until the 2nd of April this year.
During Easter, families usually gather together to have big feasts and typìcal gift exchanging, such as palms and Easter cakes, called mones in Catalan.
Barcelona also holds processions, staging some life events of Christ.
During these days, people honour Jesus Christ's last moments in life:
- Palm Sunday – his entry into Jerusalem
- Maundy Thursday – the day of the Last Supper
- Good Friday – his Crucifixion
- Easter Saturday – day of mourning
- Easter Sunday – celebration of his resurrection
Another interesting feature is the palm fair on Rambla Catalunya, where people can buy woven palm leaves (palmes), palm branches (palmons), and laurel branches. Godparents usually buy these gifts for their godchildren, who take them to the church to be blessed. Afterwards, they will be hung from balconies, for good luck and protection against evil spirits.
For more information, please click here.
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