La Patum in Berga, Barcelona – when is it celebrated and how?

The drums at the Patum in Berga, Catalonia beat the rhythm of the incredible dancing giants / Pixabay

17 May 2018, 11:14

The Patum de Berga

When: 30th May – 3rd June 2018
Where: Berga, Spain
Website: http://www.lapatum.cat/en
More Spanish festivals: May 2018

The Patum de Berga is a popular Spanish festival in the Catalonian town of Berga that dates back to the Middle Ages, when activities took place during the Corpus Christi Catholic processions. These acts were based on a parade of different characters who walked through the streets of Berga, as well as theatre performances. The celebration is held every year, between May and June, exactly during the week of Corpus Christi, and this year it runs from 30th May until 3rd June.

Berga’s amazing historical and urban legacy

Berga is located in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, and its historical legacy makes it very attractive to tourists. The old town has a strong and special charm, with many buildings to see and nooks and crannies to visit.

This municipality is part of the history of Catalonia and you only have to take a wander through its streets to see that for yourself. These are some of the ancient monuments to see in Berga: San Fernando Castle (10th century); Santuario de Queralt (18th century); Parochial Church of Santa Eulalia (17th century); Chapel of La Piedad (17th century); Plaza de San Pedro (medieval); Molino de la Sal (18th century) and the Church of San Juan (13th century).

A festival of dancing giants and street theatre

Among Spain's most famous and traditional festivals is the Patum de Berga. It is celebrated during the Corpus Christi festivities in this Catalan municipality and has been a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2005, as well as a Treasure of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Spain.

This popular festival was founded in the 14th century and the Catalonian Generalitat government decided to proclaim it a festival of national interest in the 1980s. Each year, a multitude of events are organised in its honour, most notably parades of symbolic figures with a certain mystical air. All of these giant figures dance to the sound of drums and music, to the flash of pyrotechnics and fireworks along the way, in beautifully choreographed waltzes.

On the Wednesday, there are giants who walk around the city giving the go-ahead for the festivities to start. That’s when the mimic shows begin, divided into different acts and characters: Christians against Arabs, the archangel St. Michael and his angels against Lucifer and his demons, and so on.

The holiday lasts five days, beginning on a Wednesday, the eve of Corpus Christi, and ending on Sunday. On Friday, a children's Patum is organised for the youngest children. On Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, adult performances, called "Patum", take place at various different times and deal with a number of themes in an exciting, humorous and inimitable way in this truly one-of-a-kind Spanish celebration.