No plans this weekend? Why not try the Fête du TC (Travailleur Catalan)

with Laurianne Rawcliffe

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La Fête du Travailleur Catalan is a family-friendly festival that has taken place every year since 1937! This year, it lands on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th of June. Tickets are 30 euros, allowing entry to both nights, and it’s free for under 16s.

La Fête du Travailleur Catalan is a family-friendly festival that has taken place every year since 1937!

Having been the last couple of years (and going again this year!) I can vouch for the relaxed and ‘good fun’ atmosphere. I go with my partner and kids and meet up with friends, making new ones there as well.

It’s a small-scale event, with just a few thousand people, one main stage and two smaller ones. There are food stalls held by the various communist headquarters in the PO (tasty, local and fair priced), a free art station for kids, the Torcatis book shop stall, artisan beer, …

Being in an enclosed space – and not too big either – I happily let my 12-year-old and his friend wander around all evening unsupervised, having the time of their lives. My 7-year-old spent a lot of time using a glue gun and painting (while I chatted to other parents), we won a prize at a raffle, ate Catalan sausages, and danced to some great bands.

The festival was created by the weekly paper Le Travailleur Catalan, a publication belonging to the French communist party. They started off in Saint-Feliu-d’Avall, then moved to Argelès village and are now located in the Bocal du Tech (parking is free).

The organisers are an old-school militant bunch, focused on world peace. They had to cancel in 1939 when the paper was banned, but took up again in 1946. They were huge during the Algerian war, campaigned for Mandela’s release and lead anti-apartheid events at the festival with Dulcie September in 1987, the year before her assassination.

The afternoon talks this year will tackle the causes of climate change, the Nouveau Front Populaire, how to bring about lasting peace, creating a circular economy, etc. And if talking – or listening 😊 – is not your cup of tea, but music is, skip the afternoon and head over in the evening for the music. The bands playing this year are:

Friday night:

Headlining on the main stage are Sidi Wacho (an eclectic band with two MCs, an accordionist, a trumpetist and percussionist) who will be playing songs from their new album Habibi Sudaka. Also playing are Mister Leu and The Nyabinghers (a big band inspired by Jamaican music from the 60s and 70s).

On the smaller stages are Let’s go cats (PO-based rockabilly), Les Witch Caroll (voodoo blues with a fantastic female vocalist), Lucas (covers of classic French songs), and Iapé Afrobeat (it’s in the name!).

Saturday night:

On the main stage are the French playful indie rock band Marcel et Son Orchestre, and Perpignan based Skatalan (good Jamaican-inspired skat).

On the smaller stages are Birmingham based indie pop band The Sea Urchins , Santa Maria Death Trip (local “rock folk pop surf trip reverb fuzz tremolo” band), David Kilembé ( soul, folk, reggae solo artist) and Mycose of you (hip-hop punk rock ska mix from a quintet of local musicians).

As I said, I’ll be going again this year with my kids and a bunch of friends. There is nothing quite like being able to introduce your kiddos to the festival vibe in a safe and fun environment while also having fun yourself. It really feels like a ‘roots’ community festival with a genuine friendly atmosphere. And at 30 euros per head for both nights, it’s more than worth it. Hope to see you there!

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