Demons and Fire Engulfs Barcelona’s Streets

Right now, Barcelona is abuzz with exhilarating festivities as demons and fire take center stage during the iconic La Patum festival of 2024.

The event kicked off on Wednesday, May 29th, at noon, with the ‘passacarrers’ and the ‘tabaler’ setting the tone by banging a 400-year-old drum, officially heralding the commencement of La Patum, accompanied by giants parading through the town’s streets.

This 2005 UNESCO-accredited festival is a truly ancient traditional celebration, a cultural phenomenon that traces its roots to the theatrical performances that once accompanied the Corpus Christi processions during the Middle Ages.

Ràdio Berga, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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The event revolves around fire, music, and a series of symbolic characters, ensuring an extraordinary spectacle.

Hailing from the 14th and 15th centuries, this iconic folk culture marks the Christian feast of Corpus Christi with vibrant street celebrations.

Wednesday’s midday saw the customary inauguration, with the ‘tabaler’ (drummer) and ‘passacarrers’ (parade) igniting the excitement, accompanied by giant human figures, known as ‘gegants,’ and a lively music-playing band.

However, this was merely a prelude to the main highlights, which will feature hundreds of kilograms of powder being fired throughout the week, creating a captivating display of pyrotechnics and revelry.

The celebrations will reach their epic finale on Sunday, June 2nd, at 9:30 pm, when the grand spectacle unfolds at the plaça de Sant Pere, a small square capable of accommodating close to 6,000 spectators eager to witness the culmination of this year’s extraordinary event.

All roads lead to Berga for the La Patum festival, an experience that simply cannot be missed while in Barcelona, as demons and fire take over the city’s streets in a display of ancient traditions and unbridled festivity.