Dancing Egg 2019
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L'ou com balla. Photo courtesy of Ajuntamen de Barcelona.
During four days this month, you can witness a 600-year-old Catalan tradition in action—the dancing egg—in which the whole egg is balanced on the stream of a fountain in such a way that it moves but doesn't fall. The key elements that make up this slightly bizarre but nonetheless intriguing festival are the egg, water and an abundance of flowers, which all represent fertility and new life. Though its origins are unknown, the celebration falls on the Day of Corpus Christi, 60 days after Easter Sunday. Although little is known about the tradition, there is evidence from the 16th century that acolytes would place a dancing egg on the fountain in the cloister of Barcelona's Cathedral.
The four-day event includes various processions (in celebration of Corpus Christi) and special access to different areas in the city that are normally closed to the public—for instance, the Ajuntament building—will have an open door policy for the festivities. The festival provides a wonderful opportunity to wander outside and to see some of the most beautiful, outdoor areas that the city has to offer—the added bonus being that you also get to enjoy the bemusing sights of some dancing eggs.
For more events see our online events calendar.
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