La Laia Festival, another festivity of Barcelona

Saint Eulalia Festival

The legend of Eulàlia tells how a thirteen year old girl who lived in a farmhouse in Sarrià rebelled against the Roman Emperor Diocles’ persecution of Christians. Eulàlia, or Laia for short, was sentenced to death but she never gave up fighting for her beliefs.

Today, this girl - Saint Eulalia - is the joint patron saint of Barcelona and star personality of the city’s winter festival. A festival aimed at every child in Barcelona who bears that extremely courageous girl’s spirit of solidarity.

On Friday, 12 February there will be the night parade and the city’s Eagle Dance, inside the Santa Maria del Mar basilica. Remember that giant figures, with Laia herself at the head, will be the special guests of this festival, which will also feature parades and dancing throughout its days.

Plaça Reial will be bursting with frenetic energy from 11am, when the city’s giants and historic mythical beasts take part in one of the most eye-catching and traditional street parades of this festival.

Barcelona's Eagle Dance

Another must-see event of this festival is the “correfoc” or running firework display. On Sunday, 14 February Plaça de Sant Jaume will fill up with little devils at 6.30pm and, afterwards at 8pm, Avinguda de la Catedral will be the setting for fire and colourful flames at the traditional Santa Eulalia “correfoc”.

The Teatre Poliorama, the Macba and the Museu Marítim are staging music, dance and theatre shows for all the family. You’ll be able to enjoy performances such as “En Joan sense poro Nautilus“, discover the world of dance, take part in workshops, experience the best of hip-hop and relax to music played by ensembles and chamber groups.

Santa Eulàlia Festivity website

Correfoc - a fire beast parade

One of the best moments of La Mercè. Gangs of demons (diables) around Barcelona participating in the great festival of fire and sound, which began with the spectacular fireworks of Gate of Hell (Porta de l’Infern), in open, gives way to Correfoc.

If you’re one of those who go in for traditional, family activities, don’t miss the “fire beast” parade, a spectacular, safe, night-time procession that lets you calmly observe dragons and beasts making their way through the old quarter up to Plaça Sant Jaume.

Recommendations.
Wear appropriate clothing: cotton clothing with closed neck, long sleeves, neck scarf, hat, shoes flexible, light and closed, and ear-plugs

Route: Porta Cambó, av. Cambó, pl Antoni Maura, Via Laietana, pl Antoni López
Saturday 26/09 from 20:30h to 22:30h

Correfoc in Barcelona - a fire beast parade

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