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POPULAR TRADITIONS  AND  FESTIVALS



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The Catalan Christmas traditions are very colourful. In many homes you may see "El Pessebre" (model figures of the Holy Family in Bethlem, showing Jesus as a baby.) You can also see The Three Wise Men and the common people who went to adore him. "Pessebres" often include a funny character, "El caganer", a country type in a rather strange posture. In fact, he is moving his bowels. It may sound rather offensive, but it isn't. He is a figure of fun born out of traditional folklore. And then, he is fertilizing the land, after all. "El Tió" (a tree trunk to which the head of an animal -often made of wood itself- has been added, must be "fed" for a few days before Christmas. On Christmas Day it is beaten with a stick. In this way he produces candy for the children of the house.      

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The traditional Catalan costumes are beautiful. Perhaps the most conspicuous element is the man's hat, called "barretina".

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It is red with a black stripe at the bottom. It is quite high and soft, so the top bends gracefully to one side.   

 

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We have our own Christmas Carols, of course! And lots of traditional songs too!




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"Castells" (human towers) made by as many of 9 people standing on top of one another are always spectacular. "Els Xiquets de Valls" and "Els Nens del Vendrell" are two famous groups or "colles". But there are many others. They often compete against one another and set up records to the accompaniment of the music of the "gralla" (a kind of flute.)



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The "sardana" is the typical dance of Catalonia. It is danced in a ring and accompanied by a "cobla" or band; it symbolises a spirit of brotherhood and harmony. "La Santa Espina", "L'Empordà", and "El Saltiró de la Cardina" are among the most popular "sardanes". Try listening to them sometime!



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