Barcelona’s Giants
By Charlotte Stace
The exhibition, Barcelona, Giant City: 600 Years of Festival and Tradition, aims to shine a light on six centuries of Barcelona’s famous gegants (giants). The result? An all-encompassing perspective on the history, tradition and future of these iconic figures as central elements of Barcelona’s major festivals.
The first documented references to giants date back to the Corpus Christi procession in 1424, when King David accompanied by a giant, was mentioned in the Book of Solemnities of Barcelona. This early record makes it one of the first known references to a processional giant in Europe.
Now, this exhibition aims to deepen our understanding of the world of giants and the people who make and preserve them, while uncovering fascinating stories about these beloved figures. Commemorating 600 years of documented existence of festive giants, the exhibition explores how these traditions have evolved, gaining new meanings and cementing their status as essential symbols of Barcelona’s cultural identity.