Festes de Santa Eulàlia
By Michael Mueller
Brillen en la Foscor by IAAC at Pati Llimona (Llum BCN)
Poor Eulàlia, Barcelona’s original patron saint. First martyred in the fourth century by the Romans, then she suffered the indignation of having to share the city’s patronage with La Mercè (the Virgin Mary), added as co-patron in the 17th century after she saved the city from a locust plague – and who gets a better party every year. But we’ll enjoy the weekend all the same as the city and its institutions organize many activities in homage to Santa Eulàlia:
Llum BCN (Friday to Sunday) – audiovisual projection mappings and other light shows around Ciutat Vella.
Open Houses (days vary) – visit the Ajuntament de Barcelona as well as many museums for free, including the Ajuntament de Barcelona, Casa Batlló, CCCB, Fundació Joan Miró, MACBA, MNAC, Museu del Disseny, Museu Marítim, Museu Picasso and Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes.
Fira d’Artesania (Friday to Sunday) – the Catedral’s plaza will be lined with stands selling traditional crafts made in honor of Santa Eulàlia.
Els Protocols de l’Àliga (Friday at 8:15pm) – parade of Barcelona’s eagle, a symbol of honor of the city dating from the 14th century, starting from Plaça Sant Jaume.
Eulàlia (Friday at 9pm & Saturday at 10pm) – dance performance inside the Catedral de Barcelona.
Correfoc de Santa Eulàlia (Saturday at 8pm) – everybody loves a fire run; runs from the Catedral’s plaza (cover up in old clothes with eye protection).
Trobada de Gegants i Seguici de Santa Eulàlia (Sunday at 10:30am) – a parade of gegants (giants) starts at Plaça Reial.
Diada Castellera (Sunday at 11am) – human castles at Plaça Sant Jaume; get your spot early for a good view.
La Passejada de les Laies (Sunday at 6:30pm) – a parade of gegants (giants) who are all renamed Laia today, from Plaça Sant Josep Oriol.
Check the Festes de Santa Eulalia website for the full program.