La Mercè at night and the Correfoc

Because many of the La Mercè events took place over the weekend, we were able to get out at night (instead of working) and enjoy the festivities.  There were 3 fireworks shows down by the beach.  It was nice that we were able to get there just a few minutes before and still get a great seat (every seat had a good view, since the fireworks were shot off a pier over the water).

We saw some cool animated projection shows on various historic buildings.  The animations on the geology museum in the Parc de la Ciutadella were some of the most impressive we've seen - a march through history into the future.  Very creative.

And there were several amazing free concerts.  This one was a jazz guitarist who performed right in front of the Cathedral.

But the truly-not-to-be-missed spectacle was the Correfoc.  Translated from Catalan, the word literally means "fire run".  And that's exactly what it is.  Groups of people dress up as devils and dance to drums while carrying lit fireworks through a crowd of people.  It's not for the faint of heart.  We were lucky to get a place right at the "Gates of Hell" in the Placa d'Antoni Maura.  This is a wide-open plaza where the "parade" and firework show starts.

The Gates of Hell before...

...and the Gates of Hell after!

These Catalonians really like their fireworks, that's for sure.  We were in Paris for Bastille day fireworks a few years ago but I think being in Barcelona for La Mercè might actually top that.

Devils in the Correfoc - "Fire! Fire! Heh-heh!"

After the gates of hell erupted, out came the troupes of devils and drummers.  We Americans like to think we get crazy with the sparklers on the Fourth of July.  That's nothing compared to this:


What is amazing is that these videos were taken in a wide plaza at the beginning of the parade.  The procession then continued on through the much narrower Via Laietana where unsuspecting tourists in shorts and tank tops were in for a real surprise!  (There were many loudspeaker warnings that it was potentially dangerous and to be "covered up".  Kevin and I wore jeans and long-sleeve shirts just in case, but we were only hit by one or two sparks...I can't imagine being any closer!)

Interspersed with the devils were the "besties" (beasts) of fire.  These are made of papier machè and are either worn as costumes or pushed on wheels through the streets.  We had seen them on display in the week leading up to La Mercè but didn't realize just how awesome they would be once they were set on fire.

La Tarasca, a marsh-monster that shoots flames from its mouth, and a very scary (and scaredy-) cat

Kevin's cat in action:


Again, do not try this at home.  I cannot emphasize enough the danger here.  Especially if you are not good at papier machè.

Each troupe of devils or fire-beast had an entourage following them with a re-supply cart full of fireworks.  Once the lit fireworks went out, they restocked and re-lit.  Seems perfectly safe, right?  Until somebody accidentally sets the resupply cart on fire.  Whoops!  The bombers (firemen) to the rescue...very exciting!


We loved the chance to see this part of the festival.  Especially since I can't imagine anything like this being legally allowed back home, for a whole host of safety reasons.  But this has spoiled both fireworks shows and parades for us going forward.  Now the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade will seem so tame in comparison.  So if the typical high school band, Shriner go-kart, candy-tossing American parade is too boring for you, come to Barcelona in late September.  You won't be disappointed.