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Orange Battle in Barcelona 2015

Orange Battle in Barcelona 2015

As a part of the carnival in Barcelona, the traditional orange battle (Taronjada) is sure to take place. The name of the battle goes back to ancient times, when people threw real oranges at each other. Nowadays, everything is much more prosaic – bags with sliced orange paper are handed out to everyone. But when King of Carnival announces a holiday open, huge orange balls and balloons start to fly over the crowd.
Adults and children are in utter delight!

A short story and photos from Orange Battle in Barcelona 2015 can be viewed at the link.

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Carnival in Playa de Aro 2015

Карнавал в Плайя де Аро 2015 Carnival in Playa dе Aro Carnaval Platja d'Aro
Well, but why is the carnival in our area held in February ??? This year 2015, the carnival of Playa de Aro took place on February 18; the weather was normal for this time of year, but I would like it to be warmer. To endure the whole carnival procession is a serious challenge, this year we managed to see and photograph only one half…
We bring to your attention some photos of this cheerful event.

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Dinosaur Exposition in Girona 2015

Dinosaur Exposition in Girona 2015

The traveling dinosaur exhibition Dino Expo XXL is moving around the cities and villages of Europe – a real holiday for children. This time it made a stop in Girona; representatives of all sorts of prehistoric dinosaurs housed in a large tent on an area of 1300 square meters. Also here represented various scenes from the life of our distant ancestors, or rather, survival in this harsh world of giant predators…

Photo report about the visit to this fascinating dinosaur exhibition in Girona can be found following the link.

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Ice circus show in Girona 2015

Ice circus show in Girona 2015

The report on the Circ Nadal de Girona – the circus show that we visited yesterday was an unreal fantastic performance, beautiful memorable acts, beautiful costumes, a stunning setting! Compared with the popular circus shows in Catalonia, it’s just heaven and earth … The show directors, as well as some of the artists participating in this wonderful circus show, are our compatriots. This apparently explains the highest level of professionalism and the number of positive emotions received by the audience…

Photo report of the Ice circus show in Girona 2015 can be viewed at the link.

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Live nativity scenes in Tossa de Mar

Live nativity scenes in Tossa de Mar

After visiting similar Christmas performances in Pals and Castell d’Aro, we could not resist and went to see live nativity scenes to Tossa de Mar. The entourage of an old fortress with evening lighting makes a serious contribution to the overall impression, almost complete immersion in the atmosphere of two thousand years ago…

Unlike the two above-mentioned cities, in Tossa, the show is represented in the form of a theatrical performance. The local residents who took part in the production and dressed in the clothing of “those times” played 10 scenes related to the story of Christ’s birth. After each scene the narrator escorted the group of spectators to the place of the next scene, and their place was taken by a new group of people eager for bread and entertainment… Of particular note is the scene with the traditional Catalan shepherd-caganer, I believe you know what it means😁.

The photo report about Live nativity scenes in Tossa de Mar can be viewed at the link.

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Live nativity scenes in Castell d’Aro.

Live nativity scenes in Castell d’Aro.

Having received an incredible charge of impressions after visiting the traditional Catalan live nativity scenes (Pessebra Vivent in Catalan) in Pals, we hurried to see a similar performance that takes place close to our home – in the medieval part of the city of Castell d’Aro and on the bank of a creek flowing nearby. As it turned out, the local performance is one of the oldest in Catalonia, it has been held since 1959.

Unlike in Pals, the participants of the performance are separated from the audience and depict scenes of the rural life of the time of Christ’s birth. And there is absolutely a complete impression that, contrary to all church canons, Jesus was born here, in Catalonia😃.

We invite you to make a short virtual walk and to enjoy live nativity scenes in Castell d’Aro.

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Live nativity scenes in Pals.

Рождественское представление в Пальсе.

Live nativity scenes in Pals.

Having decided to take a walk on Sunday evening in the wonderful medieval town of Pals, we quite by chance discovered an amazing local tradition unfamiliar to us; namely – live nativity scenes (Pessebres vivents in Catalan). These Christmas shows take place in various towns and villages in Catalonia. These are illustrations of the story of the birth of Christ – here you will find the conversation between the angel and Mary, and the census of the population in Bethlehem, the wanderings of Mary and Joseph, the arrival of the Kings of the East with gifts, and, finally, the blessed birth of Christ in a stable. Local residents, in appropriate vestments, depict the inhabitants of Bethlehem, each engaged in his own craft; the imperial guards walk menacingly through the streets of the city, and a whole brood of devils hides behind bars in a small den!

We present to your attention a few photos of this wonderful performance.

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Procession of giant dolls in Girona

Procession of giant dolls in Girona 2013

In Spain and Catalonia – there are many holidays, and the main holiday of the province of Girona is October 29 – St. Narcissus Day, the saint patron of Girona.

This holiday is celebrated for almost a week, children do not go to school for a few days, everyone enjoys the free time! As a part of the holiday, there are some processions on a streets of the city every day, one of which we managed to witness in Girona in 2013 – the procession of giant dolls. This tradition originated in the Middle Ages and was an important component of each important holiday.
Today, giant dolls from all over the province, as well as from other parts of Catalonia, are gathering for the procession. And, of course, the streets are filled with spectators of all ages!

A small story about the history of the tradition of the giant dolls, accompanied by numerous photographs, can be viewed at the link – The Procession of the giant dolls in Girona.