Barcelona says goodbye to the summer with the Mercè
Barcelona apartments: Barcelona during the Mercè
Once again Barcelona says goodbye to the summer with the Mercè. This year, the celebrations will last for more than a week: from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 September. During these days there are more than 600 events planned, combining musical tradition, street shows, dance, theatre, cinema, circus, cultural diversity and sports. In short, ten days of culture and celebrations for everyone.
The city centre is full of activity on every day of the festival, but there are lots of other shows programmed in other places in the city.
Wednesday 24
Morning of the Grand Festival
On the morning of Wednesday 24, a walk through the old quarter will bring you a host of surprises: groups of popular culture from all over the city invade the streets to celebrate the most festive day of the year. Ideal for seeing many of the elements of traditional Catalan culture in a single morning.
8am Early Morning Pipers: popular music groups parade around to wake everyone up. From the Plaça de la Mercè to the Plaça de Sant Jaume.
10am Blunderbuss Bearers: the old bandoleers fire shots in honour of La Mercè. From the Avinguda de la Catedral to the Plaça de Sant Jaume.
11am Morning of Giants: display of giants’ dances and processions. From the Plaça de Sant Jaume to the Manning courtyard.
12.15pm Authorities Parade: authorities and historical figures walk to the institutional centre of Barcelona.
Castellers: human castles in the Plaça Sant Jaume
During the Mercè Festival there are two opportunities to see exhibitions by castellers. Since the season begins at the end of the spring and the groups spend the whole of the summer building castles all over Catalonia, the displays at La Mercè tend to be spectacular. Meetings of castellers groups from the city (Castellers of Barcelona, Sants, Vila de Gràcia, Sagrada Família and Poble-sec) are set up for Wednesday.
Museums open days
Most museums and some of Barcelona’s most famous buildings also take part in the Festival by opening their doors to the public for free.
Musical Fireworks
Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina at 10pm
A spectacle of water, music, light and fi reworks that takes place every year to close the Mercè Festival.
Friday 26 to Sunday 28
Nights of Ramadan
Passeig Lluís Companys (Arc de Triomf)
While Barcelona celebrates its Festival, the Muslim community is celebrating Ramadan. Concerts by African and Pakistani artists are organised over three thematic nights.
Apart from this, gastronomic exhibitions, workshops and exhibitions have also been organised at interesting meeting points.
Quito: guest city at Mercè 2008
The capital of Ecuador is the guest city at Mercè 2008. The whole city, especially the Moll de Barcelona and the Ciutadella Park, will be the venue for activities that give a taste of this Andean country, from cinema and theatre to concerts.
Sunday 21 to Wednesday 24
Barcelona Musical Action (BAM)
The Barcelona Musical Action Festival (BAM) is a reference point in the city. It is now 16 years old and boasts quality and independence of criteria. Some of the names this year are: Nneka, Primal Scream, La Kinky Beat, cirKus, Kumar, The Long Winters and Richie Hawtin. There are more than 30 other groups and solo artists, so it is a good idea to consult the full programme of concerts.
More information
La Mercè
