Girona gears up for its springtime flower festival, Temps de Flors

After last year's festivities were forced to cancel due to Covid-19, the northern Catalan city of Girona will be hosting its annual flower festival, Temps de Flors, once again next month.

From May 8 to 16, the city will be abloom with flower petals carpeting the streets of its Barri Vell old quarter.

All in all, the 65^th edition of 'Flower Time' will have 90 floral installations—half as many as usual—in 83 outdoor spaces throughout the city.

Like all other cultural events taking place in the midst of the pandemic, Girona's springtime festival too will have strict health and safety measures in place. 

Not only is this the first year Temps de Flors will take place exclusively outdoors, but there will also be access controls and capacity will be limited to 10,000 visitors in an effort to prevent crowding.

"We will propose open-air itineraries throughout the city, which include emblematic Barri Vell sites, squares and gardens in different neighborhoods as well as green and peri-urban areas," councilwoman Glòria Plana explained on Monday.

According to mayor Marta Madrenas, this year will be "different," but not any less exciting. "We will have spectacular floral installations," she said, adding that the event will help to invigorate the local economy.