Barcelona’s charming Gràcia neighbourhood hosts its traditional street festival
By 21 August thousands of people are expected to have attended Gràcia’s local street festival, organised around its Patron Saint’s day. The programme of 'Festes de Gràcia' includes Catalan traditional human towers (called 'castells'), live music, exhibitions, activities for kids and much more. However, one of the most popular traditions in Gràcia during this festival is the street decoration. Indeed, most public spaces are included in an amateur competition where groups of neighbours embellish their own streets and squares so that many spots in the neighbourhood are thematically decorated. Although locals play a very important role in the festival, each year thousands of visitors, from the rest of Barcelona, but also from all over the world, come to the neighbourhood and take part in the celebration, which is gaining popularity worldwide.
Barcelona (ACN).- From the 15th until the 21st of August Gràcia, one of the most iconic districts in Barcelona, celebrates its local street festival. Organised around the neighbourhood's Patron Saint’s day, this festival called ‘Festes de Gràcia’ is one of the most popular celebrations in the city. During this week in August many activities fill Gràcia’s streets and squares; from ‘castells’ (Catalan traditional human towers) to live music, all the way up to exhibitions, performances and family activities. However, one of the most popular traditions during ‘Festes de Gràcia’ is when neighbours adorn public spaces with handmade decorations, most of the time crafted from recycled materials. Groups of neighbours embellish their own streets and squares so that many spots in the district are thematically decorated.
The tradition is so popular that most of the streets and squares take part in a competition, with the most beautiful winning. This year, the winner was Verdi Street, which was decorated like a traditional Japanese town. Although locals play a very important role in the festival each year, thousands of visitors from the rest of Barcelona, but also from all over the world, come to the neighbourhood and take part in the celebration, which is gaining popularity worldwide.
The neighbourhood of Gràcia, which was a town independent from the city of Barcelona until 1897 and then annexed to the Catalan capital, is one of the most vibrant spots in the city. Its narrow streets and squares, but also its community spirit, are a lively reminder of its past as a small town.