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The Festivities around the 15th of August |
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The week before and after the 15th of August there are many festivals (Festes Majors) taking place in Catalonia. The streets and squares of many villages and towns are decorated, and an array of traditional events takes place: concerts, dancing, markets, fairs, parades…
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The reason why so many festivities take place during these dates is because traditionally this is the period when the work of mowing the fields ended. Also the Christian tradition set the 15th of August as the date to celebrate the Assumption of Mary, that commemorates the mystery of the elevation of Mary’s soul , the Mother of God, to heaven.
One of the biggest and better known festivals is the “Festa Major de Gràcia” in one of the neighborhoods of Barcelona, where 17 streets and squares are decorated by residents who transform their street into elaborately themed carnival style decorations.
La Festa takes place this year from the 15th to the 21st August 2010 with a huge programme of over 600 events.
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The International Costa Brava Fireworks Contest 2010 |
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The annual Blanes Fireworks Competition takes place this week ( 22-27 July 2010). With pyrotechnics teams from around the world competing, this is probably Spain's most spectacular free display. Each show starts at 10:30pm although it's probably best to go there earlier to get a good view! The best views are from the beach and from the sea; most boat operators who usually offer daytime excursions sell tickets for each evening of the competition.
http://www.blanes.net/focs/index.html
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Exhibition of Jacques Henri Lartigue |
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This photographer captures movement and situations like no other, Jacques Henri Lartigue (1894-1986) was truly a master of his craft.
He realised that everything he valued such as happiness and youth, light and beauty were fleeting and so by capturing the moment on film he could preserve it forever.
Enough said, the images speak for themselves and it is amazing to think that they are almost 100 years old!
They are exhibited at the Caixa Forum in Barcelona until October 3rd-get there!
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Girona's "Temps de Flors" |
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Girona invites us once again to enjoy one of the most unique and charming spring festivals of Catalonia: the 55th exhibition “Temps de flors'.
This is a traditional and cultural event that invites visitors to a pleasant and relaxed tour of the monuments of the old town decorated with beautifully presented flower arrangements. Visitors are allowed to see public and private spaces, some of which are normally closed to the public.
It is great annual novelty and an oportunity to see Girona’s exceptional monumental heritage in a unique and colorful perspective.
The exhibition was inaugurated last Saturday and will take place until next Sunday the 16th of May.
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Easter Monday |
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Easter week in Catalonia is called Setmana Santa, which means "Holy Week". Easter starts on Palm Sunday which is always on the Sunday before Easter week. During the Holy Week there are many religious processions, most dating from the 15th and 16th century, where Christians showed their grief for the suffering of Christ. Some processions mixed with pagan rites for welcoming spring. Nowadays they are more of a folk festival where most villagers enjoy taking part.
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Easter week ends at Dilluns de Pasqua (Easter Monday). This is the day when the most important culinary Easter tradition takes place.All godfathers (and godmothers) give La Mona de Pasqua –a traditional cake -to their godchildren.
The story is that during Lent period of 40 days before Easter, devout Catholics were not allowed to eat meat and eggs, so they saved the eggs until the end of Easter and used them to make the cakes.
Nowadays the Mona has many shapes and forms, and mainly comes in chocolate versions. Chocolatiers and bakers all over Catalonia compete to make the most spectacular Mona de Pasqua some of which are real works of art!!
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