La merce 2024
By Charlotte Stace
It’s that time of year again - La Mercè, Barcelona’s annual Festa Major, is held again in celebration of its patron saint, Mare de Déu de la Mercè (the Virgin of Mercy). The tradition dates back to 1687, when the governing Consell de Cent credited her with saving the city from a locust plague and named her as the city’s patron (alongside Santa Eulàlia).
The festival was popularised at the turn of the 20th century with the addition of castellers (human towers), gegants (giants) and other folk traditions, such as the correfoc (firerun) and live projections in Plaça de la Mercè.
Known as the ‘festival of festivals’, it’s made up of various smaller festivals that showcase Barcelona's cultural wealth: from the La Mercè Street Art Festival, to BAM, Acció Cultura Viva, and the Música Mercè programme. This year promises to be the biggest La Mercè yet with over 500 activities in total. Check out the programme for more details.