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Gegants
Processional giants, french: géants processionnels, es, gigantes y cabezudos, va, gegants i cabuts, ca, gegants i capgrossos, eu, erraldoi eta buruhandiak are costumed figures in European folklore, particularly present in Belgian, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and English folkloric processions. The main feature of these figures is typically their papier maché head, whilst bodies are covered in clothing matching the costume's theme. Since 2008, Belgian and French processional giants have been recognised as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, as part of the binational listing of 'Processional giants and dragons in Belgium and France'. Background The processional giant is a gigantic costumed figure that represents a fictitious or real being. Inherited from medieval rites, tradition has it that it is carried, and that it dances in the streets during processions or festivals. Its physiognomy and size are variable, and its name-giving vari ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
La Mercè
La Mercè () is the annual festival ( ca, festa major) of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. It has been an official city holiday since 1871, when the local government first organized a program of special activities to observe the Roman Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, ''La Mare de Déu de la Mercè'' in Catalan language, Catalan. Although the actual feast day is September 24, the festivities begin a few days beforehand. Some of the most important features of the festival were introduced in the year 1902, when parades included papier maché “giants” known as ''gigantes y cabezudos, gegants i capgrossos'' and a popular dance from Empordà that was becoming popular throughout Catalonia: the ''Sardana''. The holiday has enjoyed immense local popularity ever since. Among more recently introduced traditions are the annual Catalan Wine Fair, a special ''correfoc'', a 10 km race and the pyro-musical, a display featuring synchronized fireworks, water fountains and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
