December in Barcelona
30/11/2016 16:15:22
Barcelona life
December in Barcelona
December in Barcelona means that Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner. Catalan Christmas traditions can be quite unique and may seem a little puzzling at first. To help you navigate these festive customs, we've put together a guide to some of the most fascinating aspects of the Catalan holiday celebrations.
Caganer:
You may have passed one of these figures on the street, seen their own shop, or admired their majestic posture as they sat poised on a market stall, staring deep into your eyes. Wherever you've seen them, I'm sure the caganer has caught your interest. A proud Catalan Christmas tradition, 'El Caganer' literally means 'the shitter', and the little figure lives up to its name.
The tradition dates back to at least the 18th century and historically depicts a peasant with his trousers down, in mid-dump, wearing the traditional Catalan red cap (barretina). The caganer began as a popular and essential figure of the pessebre, a reproduction of a pastoral scene that mirrors the typical nativity scene, but on a much larger scale. Although it remains an integral part of local Christmas folklore, in its modern manifestations the caganer has evolved beyond its traditional costume and now takes the form of famous personalities from all over the world. Pick one up at one of the specialised caganer stands in the shops of the same name or at the Christmas market in front of Barcelona Cathedral - a perfect souvenir of one of the beautiful oddities that make Barcelona different!
Caga Tio:
Another festive highlight is the Tió de Nadal, commonly known as the Tió or Caga Tió. This traditional figure, a hollowed-out tree trunk with legs and a painted face, is an essential part of Catalan Christmas lore.
According to tradition, the Tió is laid out on the 8th of December, usually covered with a blanket to keep it warm. Every night until Christmas, the children have to take care of the log, feeding it and keeping it warm. Why, you may ask? Well, the answer is so that on Christmas Day the log will cooperate and defecate presents! In some households, the parents periodically replace the Tió with a larger Tió to give the impression that the Tió is being fattened up before it delivers its precious load..
On Christmas Eve, the tradition culminates in a special performance. After weeks of loving and nurturing Caga Tió, children gather round the log, armed with sticks, and proceed to beat it while singing songs of Tio de Nadal. For example:
Caga tió,
Caga torró,
Avellanes I mató,
Si no cagues bé
Et daré un cop de bastó,
Caga tió
This loosely translates to:
Shit, log,
Shit nougat (turrón)
Hazelnuts and mató cheese,
If you don’t shit well,
I’ll hit you with a stick,
Shit, log!
As with most Christmas traditions, the unsuspecting children are completely unaware that they have been tricked by their parents, who have already hidden sweets, nuts and turrón under his blanket. At the end of the song, the veil is lifted to reveal an array of delicious treats left for the children by Caga Tió's generous belly.
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Festive Events in Barcelona:
Looking for more festive fun? Barcelona offers a range of events to celebrate the season:
- Fira de Santa Llúcia: An historic Christmas market, located in front of Barcelona Cathedral and tradition since the 18th century. Perfect to buy Christmas souvenirs, traditional ornaments or handmade crafts.
- Fira de Reis: Celebrated in early January, this market is dedicated to the three Magic Kings, who bring gifts for Epiphany. Apart from gifts, here you could find traditional sweets.
- Barcelona Christmas Lights: Take a stroll through the city to admire the dazzling Christmas lights that adorn many of Barcelona’s streets and landmarks. Key areas include Passeig de Gràcia and Plaça Catalunya.
- Christmas Concerts and Performances: Enjoy a range of holiday-themed concerts and performances, including classical music, choral works, and festive shows at various venues across the city, such as the Palau de la Música Catalana and the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Whether you’re exploring Catalan traditions or joining in the city-wide festivities, Barcelona is brimming with holiday spirit. Enjoy your December in this enchanting city and welcome the New Year with a touch of Catalan flair!
