City Matters
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Cercavila amb l'Aliga de Barcelona at Festa de la Mercè, photo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
La Mercè, Barcelona’s Second Patron Saint
Just like every neighborhood has its "festa major," nearly every town in Catalunya has a city-wide festival in honor of its patron saint. Barcelona has two patron saints: Santa Eulàlia and the Mare de Déu de la Mercè—known simply as La Mercè. Read more
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Dance of the new "gegants" during the Festes de Santa Eulàlia. Photo by Edu Bayer courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Do You Know Catalunya's Gegants?
These giants have played a key role in Catalan street parties for centuries, here's why. Read more
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Projections on the facade of City Hall for La Mercè, photo courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Map of Barcelona Museums with Free Entry for La Mercè
The countdown to the Festes de la Mercè has begun! Read more
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Dancing devils at the opening ceremony of Mercè, photo by Laura Guerrero courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Celebrating La Mercè
Barcelona takes on a new life towards the end of the month, when its streets and plazas are awash with festivities in celebration of the city’s patron saint. Read more
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Jornada castellera for La Mercè 2016, photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
Catalunya’s Castellers: Pile ‘Em High
Human Castles: the adrenaline junkie's folk activity Read more
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La Diada, September 11, 2014. Photo by Vicente Zambrano González courtesy of Ajuntament de Barcelona (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).
La Diada: Catalunya’s National Day
A guide to Catalunya’s national day on September 11th. Read more
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Sweet as Sugar: Honey in Catalunya
Honey is an ancient sweetener and has always been treated with respect here Read more
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Biden Declares Heat Pumps and Solar Panels Essential to National Defense
Solar panels, heat pumps and hydrogen are all building blocks of a clean energy economy. But are they truly “essential to the national defense”? Read more
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Coca amb cireres is popular in southern Cataluyna when cherries are in season. Photo by Tara Shain.
Recipe: Traditional Coca amb Cireres
You may not often come across this tasty "coca" in Barcelona, but as you head south you'll find it in most bakeries once cherries are in season. It's particularly popular in the Baix Camp where it's traditionally eaten for Corpus Christi. Read more
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Transnistrian customs in Pervomaisk. Photo by Донор (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons.
Why Russia’s War May Soon Spread to Moldova and Transnistria
There is growing concern that Moldova and Transnistria could be dragged into Russia’s war against Ukraine. Read more
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