The 11th September, the Diada de Catalunya, is a national holiday throughout Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
If you think that Perpignan Airport becomes crowded as soon as more than one aircraft is on the tarmac, then you should have been there at 3am on Sunday morning.
What a summer of sport! Firstly France lift the Football World Cup, then the Welsh “domestique” Geraint Thomas pulled off the incredible achievment of winning the Tour de France, now the massive underdogs the Catalan Dragons have won the 117th Rugby League Challenge Cup Final. The Catalans became the first non English club to triumph in the sports oldest competition.
Musique et voix en pays catalans is a not-for-profit association that aims to support and promote all musical activities within the region. With regular concerts and an annual festival, there’s plenty for music lovers of all tastes and ages.
No event in the Catalan calendar is more important than Els Focs de la Sant Jean or The Fires of St John, our mid-summer rites held on the region’s sacred mountain, Canigou (2,784 metres), 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.
Taking place on or around 23rd April each year, a date linked to literature and popular tradition, the festival of Sant Jordi celebrates the Patron saint of Catalonia, French equivalent of St George, a Christian Roman soldier, who was martyred around 303AD for refusing to renounce Christianity
At the foot of the Albères, off the voie rapide Argelès – Le Boulou, the little village of Villelongue may not be the obvious choice for great food and live music, but it has it…
The Easter Omelette, or ‘Omelette Pascale is more than just a recipe in Catalonia – it’s a whole tradition!
According to legend, Napoleon Bonaparte was travelling across southern France with his army, when he first tasted an omelette prepared for him at an inn near Bessières. He was so impressed that he had a giant omelette made for his troops the very next day. What a nice man!
Goigs dels Ous A tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, the “goigs dels ous” (or “joie des oeufs” in French) are traditional Easter songs; ancient hymns sung by choirs in traditional Catalan costume,…