La Mercè Opening Ceremony
By Charlotte Stace
La Mercè, the festival everyone’s been waiting for, kicks off with a killer opening ceremony. At 7pm on September 23rd, the event will officially begin with an opening speech delivered by actress Emma Vilarasau. This sets the stage before the first grand procession takes over the city’s streets.
Leading the way are Barcelona’s iconic gegants (giants), joined by those from El Pi and Santa Maria del Mar. They are followed by the capgrossos macers (big-headed figures with maces) and the playful cavallets cotoners (cotton merchants’ hobby horses).
Adding more symbolism to the evening, the city’s legendary creatures - the eagle, lion, mule, she-dragon and dragon - make their solemn entrance. The Falcons de Barcelona contribute their daring human towers, all accompanied by the stirring music of the Ministrils del Camí Ral led by Eduard Casals. As night deepens, fireworks and fire rituals ignite the atmosphere, with correfocs and diables (devils) unleashing sparks and flames. Make sure to be part of the celebrations.