La Mercè 2021
By Charlotte Stace
La Mercè is Barcelona’s annual festival held in celebration of its patron saint, Mare de Déu de la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy) running from 23rd to 26th September. The tradition dates to 1687, when the governing Consell de Cent (Council of One Hundred) credited her with saving the city from a locust plague and named her as the city’s patron (alongside Santa Eulàlia). Festivities are held in the days leading up to the Roman Catholic feast day of September 24th.
The festival was popularized at the turn of the 20th century with the addition of castellers (human towers), papier maché gegants (giants) and other folk traditions, such as the correfoc (firerun) and live projections in Placa Sant Jaume.
As well as BAM festival, a series of concerts showcasing live music from Havana, Cuba, Mercè Street Arts - known as MAC Festival - will also run, highlighting new creations, and a meeting place for many artists, both from the city and overseas.