Alejandra and Aeron
Sacar a plaza

Septuagenarian and lifelong Barcelona resident Joakim, or Kim as he likes to be called, said he really dislikes the Fiesta Major de Gracia. He expressed how little they have to do now with the original fiestas held in the neighborhood. Before, they were small village parties. People would dance a few Sardanas, eat and drink a little, and go home satisfied.

"We used to count the steps in the dance. When the music stopped, you had to be in the same place in the circle where you started." Kim told us happily.

The traditional dance of the Sardana is performed during the stations, giving salute to the loop: cycles of repetition.

Although the Fiesta Major de Gracia programs some Sardanas today, the big attractions are the freeform Botellon, (binge street drinking) and massive sound systems installed on every block. Every neighbor in the district, whether they like it or not, is forced to listen to the pop hit wonders of the summer until the morning hours every night for a full week.

This year, Barcelona suffered a heat wave corresponding to the dates of the fiesta.

"Miedo", said Kim frankly, sipping Kas Limon, "tenia miedo". (Afraid, I was afraid.)

Barcelona, August 2003

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