La Patum 2024: guide to Catalonia's quintessential medieval festival of demons and fire
Berga starts five days of street celebrations recognized by UNESCO
Berga starts five days of street celebrations recognized by UNESCO
More than 1000 firecrackers set of within the crowd at midnight
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Berga starts five days of street celebrations recognized by UNESCO with 300kg of powder ready to be fired
Two beloved book stores in Barcelona will also close doors by end of year
Fire-breathing dragons, dancing giants and thousands of people pack narrow streets for ancient festival like no other
Traditional celebration in northern town of Berga has medieval roots and attracts thousands of people
Demons group marks 400th anniversary with firecrackers on tails and heads
First day of festivity features parade of dancing giants, demons and dragons with fire coming out of their mouths
As announced Friday, organizers unanimously decide against holding celebration
Raucous celebration with fireworks, parades and revelry gets underway in central Catalonia beneath giant independence flag
Dating back centuries, the festival is a UNESCO Intangible World Heritage
‘La Patum’ is a popular festival celebrated every year during Corpus Christi in the Catalan city of Berga. In this town, the earliest reference to this festival dates from 1454 although the celebration has its origins in pre-Christian festivities. Over the years, a new symbolism has been given to the festival – it also incorporates elements from theatre in the Middle Ages - which led to an original mix of giants, devils, angels and other peculiar-looking characters. In 2012, ‘La Patum’ celebrates its 7th anniversary since UNESCO declared it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005. This celebration coincides with the launch of a documentary which shows how ‘La Patum’ was celebrated 50 years ago.