'Correfoc' themed Carrer Progrés takes first prize in Festes de Gràcia decorations contest

Carrer Progrés has taken the first prize in the Festes de Gràcia street decorations contest, while Mozart took second place and Carrer Jesús third.

The results of the lavish decoration competition were announced on Tuesday afternoon in Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, where the awards ceremony was held amidst anticipation and the usual cries of 'fix'.

Immediately afterwards, the Carrer Progrés festes committee members headed towards their street amid euphoria to celebrate.

The winning theme was the traditional 'correfoc', a folk custom that takes place during many traditional celebrations that feature people dressed as devils dancing amid fire. 

For the Festes, the street was re-named 'Progrefoc'.

Ramon Ortiz, a member of the Progrés Street festes committee, admitted they did not expect to win a prize this year, although he recognized that the decorations were "very well made."

Ortiz explained that the theme was chosen as a symbolic act for the fact that folk culture activities, such as the 'correfoc', were not permitted at the Festes de Gràcia last year.

Last year, Carrer Mozart won first prize with a Studio Ghibli inspired theme, while this year, they were knocked down to second place, with their feminist version of the legend of Sant Jordi, where 'La Jordina' saves herself from the dragon. 

The decorations of Carrer Jesús, with a tribute to the folk culture groups of Vila de Gràcia, won third prize.