Carnival's debauchery starts in Catalonia with the 'arrivo' 

Carnival kicks off in Catalonia with the arrival of Queen Belluga in Barcelona, His Majesty Carnestoltes in Sitges, and in Torelló by symbolically cutting off their king's penis. Catalonia's carnival celebrations are a whirlwind of color, music, and cultural lore. 

This year, Barcelona's arrival adopted a galactic theme under the slogan "Cosmic Carnival," transforming the celebration into an interplanetary mission to expand the festivities beyond the confines of Earth. Queen Belluga, the universal ambassador of Carnival, embarked on a mission to combat repression and bring culture and freedom of expression beyond the planet. 

Barcelona's carnival celebration introduced a major change: the traditional Arrival of Queen Belluga was decentralized, moving from the Ciutat Vella district to Sants-Montjuïc due to construction works.  

This edition merged two iconic events: the central city's Arrival, and the Arrival from the Sants neighborhood, known for its satire and the representation of King Carnestoltes in the form of a puppet inspired by current figures. 

Beyond Barcelona, other cities across Catalonia have also embraced the carnival spirit with their own unique traditions.  

In Sitges, a coastal city south of Barcelona, carnival is celebrated like a true local legacy. Their arrival of King Carnival: King Vergala Totarreus Partyhard, was organized by the historic Paperets Club at La Fragata.  

The show transported the audience to the 'World of Eternal Party,' a realm created by a fun-loving god who enjoys disturbing the other gods. Sitges will be one of the invited guests to the realm for one week. The coastal city is expected to welcome around 250,000 visitors.  

In Torelló, a city northeast of Barcelona, the carnival began with the Pullassu celebration. A playful, festive, and sexually charged event. 

The story goes that sorcerer Xapot el Bruixot set out to deceive Margalef, the illegitimate son of King Carnestoltes, into cutting off his penis so that they could feast on botifarra (Catalan sausage) on Fat Thursday (Mardi Gras held on Thursday in Catalonia), while drinking the festival’s signature magical potion. The ceremony, filled with mythical creatures, music, and a lively audience, is a proud showcase of Torelló’s popular carnival culture. 

This year, part of the festival’s imagery has been updated, and the four capgrossos (giant heads) representing the four most important carnivals in the country have been restored. Also Margalef, Torelló's main giant and illegitimate son of King Carnestoltes, has been renewed.