BARCELONA: FESTES DE LA MERCE 2012

As in previous years, I have enjoyed some of the many events taking place in Barcelona during the Mercè festivities. During these days the city streets are filled with people and the atmosphere is cheerful and lively day and night. Below I would like to show you some pictures of the events I enjoyed this time.

This time I could enjoy the following activities:

• 'Oda a la Vida' performance at Sagrada Familia Basilica
• Correfoc (Run Fire)
• Concerts in Plaça Sant Jaume inside the Gothic Quarter
• Castellers in Plaça Sant Jaume
• Piromusical  near the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc
• Festa al Cel Airshow near the Olympic Marina and beach of Barcelona

'Oda a la Vida' at Sagrada Familia 

Oda a la Vida is a 5 minute visual performance on the Nativity facade of the Sagrada Familia Basilica

This performance was made by the Moment Factoy company as one of the events dedicated to the city of Montreal

Concerts in Plaça Sant Jaume

Concert in Plaça Sant Jaume

Correfoc (Run Fire)

Correfoc of La Mercè in Barcelona beginning near the Cathedral of Barcelona

This Correfoc is really impressive, so its always crowded

Castellers in Plaça Sant Jaume

Plaça Sant Jaume was crowded to see Castellers

Castellers near the Barcelona City Hall

Another performance of Castellers in Plaça Sant Jaume

Piromusical

 

Piromusical is the event I like the most of La Mercè. This time was a tribute to the Olympic Games of Barcelona 1992

Festa al Cel

It was a lovely day and there were many people on the beach enjoying  Festa al Cel airshow in Barcelona

Besides there are a lot of events around the Montjuïc Castle and inside Ciutadella Park.

If you like going to theatre, during the Mercè festival, enjoy theatre at half price! Enjoy special discounts that Adetca and public theatres of the city offer you during the Mercè annual festival. Going to the theatre always feels like, and if it is at half price, even more. 

On September, from 17th to 24th, all those who have already decided what show they want see, they can buy tickets at the Tiquet Ramblas at Palau de la Virreina (La Rambla, 99) at a 50% discount. Box offices will be opened from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. non-stop. If you prefer, you can also buy your tickets online at half price through Servicaixa and Telentrada.

Clicking on the following links you can see pictures of some events of previous years.

• Mercè 2010
• Mercè 2011

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona.

BARCELONA: FESTES DE LA MERCE 2011

According to legend, on 24 September 1218, Our Lady of Mercy – La Mercè – appeared before King James I and Saint Peter Nolasco, ordering them to found the Mercedarian Order to free the faithful who were prisoners of the Saracens. This manifestation of the Virgin was made patron saint of Barcelona later when, in 1687, the city overcame a terrible plague of locusts after offering up prayers to Her.

Nearly two hundred years later, Pope Pius IX officially recognised La Mercè as the city’s patron saint and the people of Barcelona began to celebrate Her feast, though the current format of a programme featuring Catalan traditions was not adopted until the late-19th century.

This time I could enjoy the following activities:

• Correfoc (Run Fire)
• Projections onto the façade of the City Hall
• Piromusical near the Magic Fountain
• Festa al Cel Airshow

Correfoc (Run Fire)

The beasts from hell have been released and, accompanied by the devils, are ready to bathe the city streets in fire. El Correfoc is actually an outstanding event on the traditional Mercè programme of activities

El correfoc de la Mercè is one of the activities I like the most. The gunpowder that devils, fire beasts and all sorts of evil creatures bring with them, ready to begin their route around the streets of the city centre, is really spectacular

Going from Via Laietana to Sant Jaume Square I saw this nice image of El Palau Reial lit at night in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

Projections onto the façade of the City Hall

At night, throughout La Mercè, the City Hall will become the “house of magic”. A spectacular show featuring stunning projections will breathe life into the stone of the building, revealing its nocturnal alter ego

In this way, then, light technology joins the party to produce one of the most attractive events on the programme

Piromusical

This is one of the events that awakens the greatest expectation and draws the biggest crowd, yet it is also ne of the saddest moments. For the Mercè Piromusical marks the end of celebrations until next year

The fireworks launched from behind the Montjuïc Magic Fountain la Mercè light up the sky, perfectly synchronised with music that, this year, will feature some of the best-known songs, tunes that form part of the soundtrack o our lives

Festa al Cel

Poster of La Festa al Cel 2011

The day was lovely and there were many people on the beach enjoying this fantastic airshow in Barcelona

Patrulla Águila is one of the most spectacular performers of this airshow. The aircrafts fly really close

Besides these activities, there are many live music shows in several interesting areas of Barcelona, like the Magical Fountain, La Plaça del Rei, Plaça Catalunya and so on. Finally, clicking on the next link, you can also see pictures of La Mercè 2010 and La Mercè 2012.

BARCELONA: LA MERCE 2010

In 2010 I have enjoyed some of the many events taking place in Barcelona during the Mercè festivities. During these days the city streets are filled with people and the atmosphere is cheerful and lively day and night. Below I would like to show you some pictures of the events I enjoyed this time.

• Correfoc (Run Fire)
• Piromusical  near the Magic Fountain in Montjuïc

Fire Run

The Fire Run is the great festival of fire, which starts with the opening of the gates of Hell, from which all kinds of devils and fire beasts pour out, throwing bangers and fireworks, filling the central streets of Barcelona with light and smell of gunpowder. Below you can see some pictures of one of the Fire Runs of this year in Barcelona.

Piromusical

The Piromusical is the closing ceremony of The Feast of La Merce, the patron of Barcelona, which takes place every 24th September. Light, Fire, Water and Music are mixed together in a beautiful and impressive spectacle where the colourful water of the Montjuïc Magic Fountain and Fireworks follow the rhythm of the Music. Below, some pictures of the Piromusical 2010.