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'L'Ou com balla' yearly tradition kicks off at Cathedral of Barcelona

2024's edition of 'the dancing egg' is greener than ever

The yearly 'Ou com balla' tradition returns at the Barcelona Cathedral on May 29, 2024
The yearly 'Ou com balla' tradition returns at the Barcelona Cathedral on May 29, 2024 / Ona Van Dyck Colomer
Catalan News

Catalan News | @catalannews | Barcelona

May 29, 2024 08:07 PM

May 29, 2024 08:08 PM

The 'l'Ou com balla', literally translating to 'the dancing egg', tradition has started at the Cathedral of Barcelona on Wednesday evening. 

The tradition dates back to the 15th century when religious officials would place an egg on the vertical jet of a water fountain, allegedly starting at the Cathedral of Barcelona. The egg starts "dancing" thanks to the water jet, and it is not supposed to fall. 

The fountains are decorated with flowers and fresh fruits as well as the weaver's broom plant and carnation flowers. 

This year's decorations will be "greener than ever and connected with nature," the Cathedral of Barcelona announced in a press release.

Barcelona's Eagle dances during the 'Ou com balla' tradition in the Barcelona Cathedral on May 29, 2024
Barcelona's Eagle dances during the 'Ou com balla' tradition in the Barcelona Cathedral on May 29, 2024 / Ona Van Dyck Colomer

The dancing egg will be placed in various places within the Gothic Quarter of the Catalan capital during the Feast of Corpus Christi, celebrating the "body of Christ". 

The egg will be dancing on the fountain at the Cathedral of Barcelona on Thursday and Friday from 10am-7pm, Saturday from 10am-7:30pm and Sunday from 9am-2pm.