Les Festes de Gracia - 2012

Once again, the parties of “Barrio de Gracia” offered many cultural activities full of fun and excitement.
Many streets were embellished with lovely decorations made of a combination of recycling and other materials. All the decorated streets chose an individual theme. 

The theme of “Carrer del Progrés” was inspired by the first three “Star Wars” movies, which are really loved by those who worked on decorating the street. Amongst others, Yoda was present in the street with kids and adults gathered around him taking photos and having fun.

The theme of “Carrer Verdi” was an inspiration from the “Wild West”. There was a fort standing by one of the entrances of the street and there was the Indian town at the other end. In the middle there was the saloon with showgirls dancing. This year “Carrer Verdi” was the winner. It was really cool to be at the saloon dancing and having a drink with friends and tonnes of other people.


Indian Town & Saloon - Carrer Verdi

 Another great area was  “Plaça de la Vila de Gracia” which was decorated as a Big Top circus. There were two lions in a cage, an elephant standing on two legs, the human cannonball, the bearded woman, the flying trapeze and many clowns. This was one of the main sites with different bands playing music until late and people dancing, drinking and chatting away. The music was not top as bands did not get paid to participate but the atmosphere could have not been better.

The elephant in Plaça de la Vila de Gracia

 

Another good street was “Carrer Ciudad Real” where the theme was “Sol i Lluna” (sun and moon). Between these two emerged the rainbow, clouds, rain, snow and fog stars – really pretty.

Also, “Els Castellers de Barcelona” played an important role in the parties by building towers made of people in front of the Town Hall of La Plaça de la Vila de Gracia.

One of the top activities this year was the “Correfocs”, you can view a bit here. This took place on the last day as part of the closing ceremony. Different beautiful mechanical dragons came into la Plaça de la Vila de Gracia one by one, each one throwing fireworks through their mouth. Many other people participated in the ceremony, playing drums loudly and dancing. Once the dragons finished, a group of demons dressed in red and carrying tridents came on with another session of fireworks spinning and whistling from their tridents – this was amazing.

Barcelona has many outdoors parties during the summer, but the Gracia ones are very unique in the sense that they are very real and local. Everybody participates in one way or another. Shops stay open until late selling clothes, art and other great stuff. Restaurants and bars also offer their best during this time, although the party takes place mainly in the street.


Ramon