kateandjohnsail.boats

The celebration of La Mercè honors the Virgin of Grace (Mare de Déu de la Mercè), patron saint of the archdiocese of Barcelona, and co-patroness—along with Saint Eulàlia—of the city. In Catalan, the word mercè has meanings related to service, help, a sense of compassion, and loving mercy. Our first full day in Barcelona we did what everyone else does–paused our other agendas to celebrated in the streets and plazas.

Each neighborhood in the city has a spirited group that sponsers giant puppets that dance in the square. We could see the pride people held in their tradition as these amazing gigantes bobbed and weaved with each other in carefully rehearsed performances. Musicians played and the crush of onlookers danced and cheered. The gigantes portrayed all kinds of characters; we enjoyed the fisherman and his fishwife. They drew ahhs and cheers as he “dipped” her at the end of the dance–with the help of the team.