The word controversy It's lazy, especially in summer. Four syllables: controversy. When you go for the third one, it's already asleep, please don't give me a little controversy (what an uncontrollable desire for this twin, to end up saying: "controversy"). That's why there has been Controversy over the poster for the Fiestas de la Mercè It's neither hot nor cold. The bishopric has complained that the poster (which I find very pretty and, above all, with very little intention of "arguing") "violates the feelings of those who venerate and respect" the significance of Barcelona's patron saint. They also claim to accept "that the City Council wants to give an exclusively secular tone to the festival," but then they also express their "surprise at the fact that each year the poster introduces the use of religious elements."
Well, religion is part of our culture. The festivals, however secular they may be now, allude to a virgin: the Virgin of Mercy. From the nun's farts we eat to the eggs at the Poor Clares, religious tradition is part of us. We all say "holy virgin!" and also "casondéu" (a type of "casondéu"). We eat San José cream and Lent fritters.
If there's one remarkable fact that distinguishes Christianity from others today, it's its capacity for confrontation. I think it's a good thing that the joke about the religion of this part of the Mediterranean in which we live—a religion that currently occupies very little part of our lives—doesn't trigger fatuous acts, threats, and revenge. However, the bishops are right about one thing. Since the festival is for La Mercè, the city's patron saint, and since every year, although secular, the program includes religious elements, the Mass should be included in the program of events. And I would hold it, for once, in one of the main venues.
