Here in Catalonia, All Saints’ Day and the evening before are known as the Castanyada, (’Fête de la châtaigne’ in French) meaning Day of the Chestnut.
Traditionally, ‘castanyes’ (roast chestnuts) are eaten along with ‘moniatos’ (roast sweet potatoes) and ‘panellets’ (small almond balls covered in pine nuts).
The 11th September, the Diada de Catalunya, is a national holiday throughout Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
Each year, the Ermitage de la Saint Ferréol bursts with life with the annual Festa Major. Tradition, religion, food and drink… it’s a firm favourite with the locals.
The difference between ‘fanfares’ and ‘bandas’.
No event in the Catalan calendar is more important than Els Focs de la Sant Jean or The Fires of St John, held on the region’s sacred mountain, Canigou, and in towns and villages right across Catalonia.
The first midsummer fire on Canigou in modern times was lit on 23 June 1955 by Francois Poujade and fellow USAP rugby fanatics – both to celebrate his birthday and Perpignan’s victory over FC Lourdes in the Yves du Manoir Challenge cup.
Only fragments survive to witness the passage of more than 60,000 people interned in the Camp of Rivesaltes between 1942 and 1966.
Enamoured of both the beauty and long and fascinating history of Port-Vendres, the Great Port Vendres Tapestry Association was started in July 2015 to create a large tapestry of the history of the town.
Taking place on or around 23rd April each year, the festival of Sant Jordi celebrates the Patron saint of Catalonia, French equivalent of St George.
Once upon a time, rival bands of young people released their pent up energy by competing against each other in feats of strength and agility.
No guns, no knives.