Most inclusive edition of La Patum festival kicks Corpus Christie off in Berga

La Patum, Catalonia's most iconic medieval festival of demons and fire, is back underway in the northern town of Berga for its most inclusive edition yet. 

"Jumping in Plaça Sant Pere is awesome and we have every right to do so," says Isabel, a user of the La Llar de Berga special education center, who on Tuesday danced 'the eagle', the most solemn dance of the festival. "It is very emotional, I love this group," she said.

Sixty people with disabilities like her took part in the so-called 'Patum dels sentiments', the La Patum festival "of feelings," which, for the third consecutive year, is held in Plaça Sant Pere and not in the school facilities, as was tradition.

The festival in La Llar is a replica of the Patum Completa, with the same troupes and music. The only difference is that instead of doing two jumps, there is one, while the event also includes some measures to guarantee the accessibility of all participants.

For the manager of the Fundació la Llar, Ester Comelles, the Patum de la Llar is "beautiful" and "special" because everyone can take part.

The foundation do everything necessary to make it as accessible as possible, from adapting facilities to wheelchair-bound groups, to broadcasting the festivities in sign language, and, in the square, the leaders of the dancing are those with disabilities.

"We work to raise awareness among the community and the best way is to be able to experience the festivities together," Comelles points out.

Unravelling Berga's secret

A crammed square lit up by fire, music and thousands of enthusiastic people jumping and dancing. This is what visitors and locals see on the main day of the annual La Patum celebrations in the northern town of Berga, a UNESCO-recognized party.

The sights are spectacular, but it’s the sound of Patum - the beating of the drum - that gives it its name.

The Patum does not happen on a specific date. Each year it varies depending on when Corpus Christi is celebrated. In fact, despite the fact that it is not considered a religious celebration, it all started back in the Medieval Age and is linked to the religious society of the time.

Corpus Christi processions used to honor the sacred sacraments, but one part of it, more informal than the other, began to honor non-religious authorities, and that was the seed of today's Patum.

Listen to the podcast below to find out more about the La Patum folk festival.