Festa de Gràcia takes aim at fighting homophobia

The ‘Festa de Gràcia,’ the iconic street party of the charming Barcelona neighbourhood, kicked off on Sunday for a new edition marked by the pandemic which takes aim at fighting homophobia. 

A stall was set up on the opening day of the festival at Punt Lila with the aim of raising awareness about prevention and giving tools to potential victims. 

"We want a festival free of sexism and also to end homophobic aggressions," said Àngels Tomàs. 

Just over a year ago, the District of Gràcia approved a protocol to face discrimination or violence against people on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

This year, local councillor Àngels Tomàs explained, they wanted to go one step further, and together with the Observatory Against Homophobia, they have used the first day of the Festa de Gràcia to raise awareness about prevention and give tools to potential victims.

The Observatory Against Homophobia has lamented that cases of aggression are on the rise, with 160 incidents since the beginning of the year in Catalonia - 67 of which in Barcelona and about twenty in the district of Gràcia. 

"These are physical assaults with violence," the director of the Observatory, Eugeni Rodríguez, said, citing the assault on the Somorrostro beach ​​when two gay couples were assaulted. 

"This hatred must be eradicated and the aggressors cannot go unpunished," Rodriguez insisted.

Festa de Gràcia 2021

This year’s Festa Major of the Gràcia neighbourhood sees decorations on 21 different streets. 

However, unlike other years, the ornaments will mostly be hung in the air, as a measure to minimize the spread of Covid-19. 

Having the decorations suspended in the air will ensure more space between visitors on the street, while also preventing people from touching the home-made crafts. 

The festival is spread out through the district of Gràcia and lasts until August 21.