The Girona Fairs, day by day

GironaThe trees have begun to turn yellow, the leaves are falling, the Indian summer of Sant Martí is saying goodbye, and Girona already has the scent of the fairs. The San Narciso festival. This year they claim to be a benchmark brand which aims to become one of the Principality's great popular culture festivals, on par with the Patum in Berga, the Santas in Mataró, Santa Tecla in Tarragona, and La Mercè in Barcelona. That's why the Fairs have a new logo and, for the first time, merchandising, with the continued desire for them to be much more than strolling among the attractions in the Devesa and having a drink at the concerts in the stalls at the Copa.

This year the Fairs arrive with a five-day long weekend for Girona students, from Sant Narcís to Tots Sants, and a new lineup of luxury concerts both at the Copa and in Parc Migdia, and in a space that is coming back to life: the tent in the Plaza Miquel de Palol neighborhood, orchestra. Another new feature is the first competition in Catalonia freestyle Catalan rap, a new format that is gaining followers and that aims to follow in the footsteps of the success of the Combate de Glosa, organized by El Foment, which is now in its fourth edition and is changing the Mediodía Park for the Jardines de les Pedreres.

To make sure you don't miss out on the program, we offer ten Fair plans starting Friday, October 24th, one for each day of the Girona festivities, until the fireworks display on November 2nd.

There are new traditions that have left their mark on a whole generation of young people in Girona. The starting gun for the Sant Narcís Fair is fired from the balcony of the town hall with the opening speech at nine o'clock at night. But once school is out, the city's youngest members of the public are already preparing for the festive atmosphere, gathering at the four parade venues that depart from different parts of the city. From Vista Alegre Park—with a hot chocolate party enlivened by the Mula Baba puppets—from the Eixample shopping district, from Plaça U de Octubre, and from Plaça Independència, four streams of people—like the four rivers of Girona—converge on Plaça Catalunya to welcome the festivities in Plaça del Vi, in front of the town hall.

The El Galliner theater school, after a year of struggling to find a new space to teach with the departure of the Cultural Center due to the Provincial Council's intention to convert it into its headquarters, is in charge of the opening speech. The rocket launch will kick off the concerts at La Copa, with the most feminine night being hosted by this year's headliner: Barcelona rapper Júlia Isern, better known as Lia KaliShe will be preceded by reggae singer Belén Natalí and the night will be closed by freestyler Sara Socas.

For those who haven't yet realized that the festivities have begun, the Falera Gironina (Fair of Gironina) at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday kicks off the early hours with music throughout the Barri Vell (Old Quarter). It will end in Plaça Catalunya with a big storm. But before that, those who get up early and want to play can sign up for the Butifarra Championship at the El Foment Center, which starts at 9:00 a.m. Those who want to dance won't have to wait either. At 1:00 p.m. at La Copeta (the daytime stage of La Copa) there's a rock-sounding musical aperitif with Black Sheep Trio, and starting at 7:00 p.m., The Salsa Punk Orchestra and a surprise concert in Plaça U de Octubre.

The first Saturday of the Ferias, as is tradition, is a fire-run night in the Barri Vell (Old Quarter) with the Diablos del Onyar (Devils of the Onyar) starting at 10:30 p.m. At the same time, a punk concert accompanied by folk music by Feto will begin, culminating with the Ludwig Band's Big Band. Those who want to warm up for the human tower event will be able to enjoy the eve of the event at 6 p.m. The Marrecs de Salt and the Espertxats de l'Estany (The Salt Castles) will perform in Sant Feliu Square.

At 2/4 of 12, the traditional Diada de Castellera (Human Tower Festival) will take place in the Plaça del Vino, with the participation of the Marrecs de Salt (host group), the Minyons de Terrassa, and the Capgrossos de Mataró. Although Girona has not historically been a place for human tower festivals, they have been held during the fairs for about 30 years, and it has now become a tradition. The Muévete en Bici association is also organizing the Pedalada de Ferias (Fair Pedal), a 20-kilometer route within Girona. There will also be the 13th Bèlit Ferias de Girona Trophy in the Parc Central, the Josep Pla Route, which will depart from the Kindergarten, and a dramatized tour of the Girona Museum. When the Museum was not a Museum.

This Sunday will be a day full of musical activities. The Catalunya Freestyle competition, the first freestyle competition, will be held in Migdia Park. freestyle in the Catalan of history. A community culture that promotes the social use of Catalan among young people, reaching 350,000 people at major events. Sardanas with the Cobla La Selvatana in Plaza U de Octubre, a concert by the Girona Banda Band on Rambla de la Libertad, and to round off the day, Triquell, Ginestà, and Svetlana dances at La Copa.

It's Inclusive Fair Day, an initiative aimed at children with special needs, allowing them to enjoy attractions with adapted acoustic and lighting features. It's aimed at children with autism or acoustic and/or lighting hypersensitivity.

A new activity is the route of the origins of LGBTIQA+ activism in Girona. It will take place in the Barri Vell (Old Quarter) and will allow you to learn how this activism began through spaces such as Plaza de la Independencia, Rambla de la Libertad, Fontana de Oro, Los Padules bar, La Librería, and the first Espai LGBTI venue. The visit will begin at the History Museum and during the walk, facts related to each location will be discussed and a reflection will be made on the evolution of the rights of LGBTIQA+ people, since the approval of the Law on Dangerousness and Social Rehabilitation of 1970, inherited from the Law on Vagrants and Criminals of 1933, finally repealed in 1933. Initially, one walk had been planned but a second one has already been organized, given the demand.

And, as every year, the historical circus Raluy will be there during all the fairs.

On Tuesday, a weekday, street activities begin early, at 10:30 a.m., with a new edition of the School Parade featuring the Girona Marxing Band and the Gegantons. The passion for giants, tadpoles and all the popular imagery of Girona continues to grow. among the little ones. And this procession through the Barri Vell, promoted by educational centers, is a good example of this. In it, students, accompanied by teachers and families, will take out a procession of giants and big heads adapted to their height to dance. From Plaça del Pallol, the procession will trace a circular route through Plaça del Vino, Carrer dels Mercaders, the Voltes d'en Rosés and Rambla de la Llibertat.

In the afternoon, music takes over in Parc del Migdia with the psychedelic and insurgent rock of the Girona band Minibús Intergaláctico and Remedio de Ca la Fresca (7:30 p.m.), which, half an hour later, in Plaça dels Mercaders, will have a more intimate counterpoint with the singing. On the Copa stage, as the following day is a holiday in the city, there are also concerts until after midnight, with the reggae urban by Jazzwoman, Adala and Boom Boom Fighters.

The day of the city's patron saint opens with the doors of the Film Museum, the Girona History Museum, and the City Hall open to the public. One of the highlights of the day is celebrated at 11:00 a.m. in the Basilica of Sant'Félix, with the solemn Mass of Saint Narcissus, patron saint of the entire diocese. Presided over by Bishop Octavi Vilà, the Eucharist invites us to rediscover the figure of the saint, venerated since the 14th century as the protector of Girona. The ceremony concludes with the distribution of the traditional blessed cotton, a symbol of protection and popular devotion. This year, the Diocese of Girona has dedicated itself to bringing Saint Narcissus to new audiences through educational materials, online games, and digital stickers, recalling the legend of the bishop who, according to tradition, liberated Girona from the siege of French troops in 1387 with flies.

At midday, the Fairs continue with the Cobla la Principal de la Bisbal (in the Auditorium at 12 pm and at 8 pm in Plaza Palol), sardanas in Plaza del Vino (5 pm) and a double concert of habaneras, at 5 pm in Parc Migdia and at 7 pm.

Today, starting at 5 p.m., it will be the only opportunity for many children to ride a fairground ride or stretch an already stretched budget with several extra trips. In the morning, to whet their appetite, sustainable attractions—imaginative artifacts powered by human power or gravity—will be set up in the Plaça del Olmo and the Parc Núria Terés i Bonet. And for those looking for board games, the Gincana x Girona, which takes place at the Centro Cívico Barri Vell - Mercadal at 11 a.m., rewards strategy and Girona's knowledge.

The evening pivots on culture, with the classic presentation of the Justo M. Casero Novel Prize (8 p.m., La Planeta), now in its 45th year. Images from past editions will be screened, and journalist Jaume Guillamet will commemorate Just M. Casero. At Las Barracas, Xavi Calvet, former Bullit frontman, will be the first to spread the joy with his new project, followed by Without, who had been silent for 20 years. And the finale comes from Ontinyent with Auxili, who spread the joy to the rhythms of reggae, ska, ragga, and rap.

Tonight, the Zombiewalk scatters its creatures of the Avern through the streets of the Barri Vell, like the dreamers in Joaquim Ruyra's great story "The End of the World in Girona." Although the promoters' inspirations are more from the Sitges festival, Ruyra depicted a Girona invaded by fog, the malevolent rodent of the night, and irrational terrors. There's a makeup workshop at 3 p.m. in the Plaça del Vino, a zombie walk with the Fire Gargoyles of Banyoles (7:15 p.m.), and prizes for the best zombies.

The Drakofarra (and the Correxuixos) begins at 10 p.m. on the steps of the cathedral. It's a joint performance by the Falera Gironina and the Diablos del Onyar, during which the Witch of the Cathedral recites verses. To stay in hell, Lluís Figueras & The Demons, accompanied by Xarim Aresté, will perform at Parc del Migdia (7:30 p.m.). The thrills will continue with Punk Rock Night at the Copa del Rey, featuring the English punk rock group Booze & Glory; the Swedish punk rock group The Baboon Show; and the Tarragona-based Groggy Rude.

All Saints' Day is celebrated, and therefore a day of crowds in the city of Girona, always dressed for the Ferias on this day of remembrance for ancestors. There will be no shortage of activities to enjoy the city, but one of the most anticipated is the Climb of the Pillar of 4 up the ninety steps of the cathedral staircase, a spectacle of impossible balances and maximum skill that the audience always follows in silence and with their hearts in their mouths. Marrecs de Salt are in charge of achieving this challenge. It will take place at 8 p.m., before a night of excitement at La Copa and the barracas. The last major concerts in this area will feature two of the most successful bands of the moment: Doctor Prats and La Fúmiga. They will be preceded by Flashy Ice Cream, considered the pioneers of Catalan urban music.

For those who prefer to enjoy the Fairs in daylight, the central streets will host several food and craft fairs, and the Drawing and Painting Fair-Market. For families, the 4 Rius Festival organizes activities based on traditional and popular games, such as the Rutlles Race on Rutlla Street with a tasting of Catalan skittles and tug-of-war competitions on Nou Street.

After ten days of grand celebrations, and before the city calms down and the workers begin dismantling attractions, tents, and marquees, it's time to say goodbye to the San Narciso Fairs as they always have: with a luminous fireworks display with a thunderous finale. The show, organized by Pirotecnia Valenciana, will begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Ribes del Ter Park, although it can be followed from anywhere in the city.

On the last day of the Fairs, there will be an open day at the city's museums, and starting at 10:00 a.m., the traditional gathering of giants will take place in the Parc del Migdia, followed by a parade through the city streets. The musical score will be provided by the successful Di-versiones Orchestra, which will perform at 5:30 p.m. in La Copa, inviting everyone to dance and sing their catchy versions.