What Are the Festival Giants?
The Gegants (Festival Giants) are giant papier-mâché figures that appear in festivals across Catalonia. These majestic characters, often representing kings, queens, nobles, and mythical creatures, are carried by performers who dance and parade through the streets.
🎭 A Living Tradition in the Gothic Quarter
In Barcelona's Gòtic Quarter, you can see the Giants come alive during events like La Mercè and Santa Eulàlia. They march in processions, accompanied by music and cheers, filling the narrow medieval streets with color and rhythm.
🏰 Giants Beyond Barcelona: Girona and Sant Sadurní
The tradition is not limited to Barcelona. In Girona, the city’s own set of giants make regular appearances during festivals, each with their unique identity and story.
In Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, the celebration takes a curious turn: locals parade with a giant phylloxera bug, honoring their survival of the 19th-century vineyard plague. It’s both bizarre and brilliant!
🧠 Curious Fact: Each Town Has Its Own Set
Every major Catalan town has its own custom-designed gegants. They are often named, given personalities, and passed down through generations. It’s not uncommon for locals to feel genuine affection and pride for their hometown giants.
🎉 When Can You See the Gegants?
- 🎭 La Mercè Festival (Barcelona) – September, including the traditional Giants Parade.
- ❄️ Santa Eulàlia Festival (Barcelona) – February, featuring the oldest giants in the city.
- 🍾 Phylloxera Festival in Sant Sadurní – September, with the famous bug-shaped giant.
- 🏛️ Temps de Flors (Girona) – Spring, where giants often accompany the flower festival.