Castanyes everywhere-it must be Fires!

“Correfocs” literally translated means running with fire and that’s exactly what happens through the Old Town of Girona on the night of the 31st of october every year. The organisers are dressed in costumes and some are on stilts supported by some heavy drum beats while they set off multiple fireworks and explosions all around while joined by hundreds of mostly young people all dancing in the shower of sparks. They wear old clothes and cover their heads and faces to avoid being burned but the danger is of course the best part!

The whole procession weaves up past the cathedral through the narrow streets making for spectacular images with the noise, smell of cordite and clouds of smoke adding to the experience of hell as we follow the devil into his lair…

Tags: Cathedral, Correfocs, devil, fireworks, Girona Old Town

Sant Jordi, Catalonia’s patron saint

April 23, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture

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Today is one of the most important dates on the Catalan calendar, Sant Jordi or Saint George to the English, is also the patron saint of Catalonia. Tradition dictates that men buy women a rose while we men get a better deal by receiving a book.

So today the Rambla in Girona, just like everywhere else here in Catalonia, was packed with people looking at the stalls for the perfect rose and book for their loved ones.

It is a beautiful tradition and one which seems to be getting stronger as many school kids use the sale of roses and books to raise money for their end of term outings as well as for charity.

Posted via email from Discover Girona

Tags: Catalonia, Patron Saint, Saint George, Sant Jordi

Castellers-the human castles of Catalonia

November 1, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture, Local news and info, Uncategorized

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Another part of the festivities during the week long celebrations of Girona's patron saint Sant Narcis are various exhibitions of castellers. These are teams from different towns of Catalonia that "compete" in the building of human castles in the air. It all starts with a base of big beefy men dressed in their white canvas pants with a big black sash around their waists and usually coloured shirt and a scarf on their heads. From this solid base several more layers are added progressively and can get as high as 9 or 10 people with each layer perched on the shoulders of the one below. Usually as the castle gets higher the size of the people climbing gets smaller with only young children used in the final assault of the top where they have to stay still and raise one arm above their head to claim the completed castle and then come down again in reverse order without the whole edifice collapsing.

The skills are several; strength of the base and all the supporting layers, speed of completion to avoid undue stress and dexterity of climbing up the backs and shoulders of the various layers hooking their bare feet into the sashes to get footholds. Not all end in success and the crowd usually rushes in to catch any falling participants if one collapses.

It is a spectacular sight and accompanied with typical Catalan music at the same time raises the pulse every time.

Posted via email from Discover Girona

Tags: Castellers, Catalonia, Fires de Girona, Girona festival, human castles

Let the party begin at the Fires de Girona!

October 29, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, History and culture, Local news and info

Girona is in full "fiesta" mode! The patron saint of Girona is Saint Narcis and to celebrate there are multiple events held all over town for the next week. The inaugural ceremony takes place in front of the Town Hall with the dancing of the giants, music and a few speeches. The giants are legendary figures from Gironas past such as King Carlemany and Queen Anna of Gironella who dance together surrounded by their loyal subjects.

Adolescents head straight for the Devesa Park where there are more contemporary attractions on offer like a fairground and cheap booze stands with a stage for bands to play until the early hours of the morning and since today the schools of Girona are on holiday the weekend has begun early.

Also on offer are a firework dance around town, the famous human castles and plenty of street stands selling all sorts of foods and art. If you are in party mood then head to Girona now!

Tags: Anna de Gironella, Carlemany, Festival, fiesta, Fires de Girona, Girona, Saint Narcis, Sant Narcis

Girona has Flower Power!

May 8, 2010 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info

Girona Flower Festival 8-16 th may

The 55 th Temps de Flors has begun and if today's crowds are any indication, this will be the best attended yet.

The Old Town of Girona is decorated with flowers including patios and gardens never usually open to the public as well as important buildings, churches and of course the Cathedral steps and cloister.

Even local businesses join in the spirit and include flowers in their displays or shop fronts.

Some displays are subtle and visually provoking, others a bit obvious and garish but there is plenty for everyone of all ages to enjoy and the atmosphere in town is truly festive so come and join in!

Tags: Flower Festival, Girona, Girona cathedral, Temps de Flors

“Fires i Festes” de Girona

October 24, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info

The “Fires i Festes” of Girona are the week-long (24th oct-1 nov) city festival which are also referred to as Sant Narcis, Girona’s patron saint. Legend has it that a massive swarm of flies came out of the tomb of Sant Narcis and drove away the invading French army and so the fly is duly celebrated as Girona’s emblem.

Every year there are a multitude of events held mainly around the Devesa Park with a fun fair with all the latest scary attractions; what started off as an agricultural fair has now expanded its ambit to most products for home and garden and the “Barraques” an area devoted to serving food and drink to raise money for a variety of local groups. This last area seems to be where most of Girona’s youth experiments with excess alcohol consumption and loud music.

There are street parades, free concerts until late, guided visits to the main cultural venues, activities for children and dancing the traditional “sardanes” for all ages.

Plenty of choice to be had at the food stalls full of tempting snacks, cheeses, breads, chocolates, wines, beers and other local products to consume there or take home. The bars and restaurants are full and everyone is incredibly tired of partying by the end of the second weekend where the firework display on the evening of sunday 1st nov announces a festive end until next year.

Tags: Barraques, concerts, Devesa, Devesa Park, Festes, Fires, fireworks, Girona, Sant Narcis, sardanes

Autumn/Winter events calendar for Girona

September 29, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info

Here is a list of some of the winter activities in Girona, the highlight being the week long Sant Narcis (patron saint of Girona) festival from oct 23 to 1 nov.The Devesa park is taken over by amusement arcades and rides and a major trade/exhibition fair as well as fireworks on the last sun night and lots of free music and beer tents to sample all week long.

GIRONA HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS FOR OCT-DEC 2009 INCLUDE:
October 13-19:      XX Festival of cinema
October-December: Temporada Alta, Fiesta De Teatro – Theatre Festival. Internacional theatre, music and dance.
October:             VAD-Video and digital arts festival.
November 1:       Todos Santos – All Saint?s Day
Oct 23-Nov 1:     Sant Narcis – Girona Fiesta of their Patron Saint, St Narcis. Partying in the street. Religious             ceremonies.
December:          Feria de Navidad – Christmas Fair
December 6:       Dia del Constitucion – Constitution Day
December 8:       Dia del Concepcion Inmaculada – Day of the Immaculate Conception
December 25:     Navidad – Christmas Day. A day for the family.
December 26:     Boxing Day. A day for the family.

Tags: Devesa Park, exhibition, Fair, fireworks, Girona, Sant Narcis

Barcelona Olympic stadium & Magic Fountain

July 27, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info

Some big cities just have it, and Barcelona is one of them. Last Saturday evening for example there was a world class athletics meet at the Olympic stadium on Montjuic and later we watched the Magic Fountain show from the steps of the MNAC- fabulous entertainment all round!
The athletics “Miting” had some big stars that were keen to get some last minute competitive races in before the World Championships in Berlin in august but the highlight of the evening was Marta Dominguez‘ Spanish record in the 3,000m steeplechase. Ever the competitor, she came through brilliantly with the home crowd saluting her efforts in what is still one of the greatest venues in athletics history with the ’92 Olympics ever present.
A short walk from the stadium to the steps of the MNAC and we had another wonderful surprise looking down over the Plaza Espanya and the Magic Fountain light and music show. During the summer months you can see it from thu-sun from around dusk (9.30pm) and is well worth catching for the informal atmosphere, balmy night temperature and of course the dramatic water, light and music show.
For a city which is no longer cheap these fun events on a Saturday night were a true bargain (athletics 10? Magic Fountain free!)

Tags: 1,000m steeplechase, 3, Barcelona, Berlin World Championships, Magic Fountain, Marta Dominguez, MNAC, Olympic stadium, Plaza Espanya

Girona goes International-for a week

July 8, 2009 by Admin
Filed under Activities, Festivals, Local news and info, Wine and food

Girona only has a population approaching 100,000 and yet this week we have had and will have a truly international flavour with the 10th Religious and World Music Festival and the massive Tour de France cycling race hitting town tomorrow.

The Music Festival has seen performers of real status and has mixed many styles of music both classical and contemporary, from Fauré’s Requiem choirs to the modern beat of Rokia Traoré (Mali) and Khaled (Algeria) both wonderful performers supported by excellent musicians.

During the festival there is also a temporary (shame!) food court set up with many cuisines from all over the world where you can eat either before or after the concerts and is right next to the cathedral steps and cloisters venues.

The setting for some of the concerts is the other part which makes this festival stand out-where else can you sit outside on a balmy night on the steps of a cathedral listening to top class acts while taking in the beautiful buildings around the Old Town? Not very many, let me tell you so get down to Girona quick!

On second thoughts with the Tour starting in Girona and finishing in Barcelona tomorrow will bring enough chaos to our small town, so just watch it on TV instead and come visit when there are fewer people around!