"The neighborhood we love is in danger": Gràcia kicks off the main festival with a reclaiming of its roots

BarcelonaAbove the noise, the main festival. La Vila de Gràcia this Friday unveiled this year's festival with an opening speech by journalist and historian Vicenç Sanclemente, who highlighted the event's ability to create networks among neighbors despite the crowds. "It's not just a week of music or a competition for decorated streets," stressed Sanclemente, who in an extensive speech argued that this break from the daily frenzy that the main festival represents is a perfect opportunity to create "bond," to build "fabric."

Two words that, he noted, are key to keeping Vila de Gràcia united, which, he denounced, faces several threats. Among them, he listed gentrification; speculative funds that profit from housing – with allusions to struggles such as that of the residents of the Sant Agustí building against the New Amsterdam Developers fund – or the climate crisis. "The Vila de Gràcia we love is in danger," Sanclemente summarized. However, he expressed confidence that the neighbors will be able to overcome these challenges united: "If the lilies take root, the vultures drown," he said, alluding to the symbol of the Vila's flag.

In a critical opening speech, the journalist questioned the city's focus on tourism and called for protests against the airport expansion; he advocated for the need to protect Catalan and called for action against the housing crisis. He also remembered some of Gràcia's emblematic businesses that have closed in recent months, such as the Santa Clara bakery, the Tarragona haberdashery, or the Ideal pastry shop that have closed in recent months, such as the Santa Clara bakery, the Tarragona haberdashery, or the Ideal pastry shop. Sanclemente, however, avoided pessimism. In a speech that journeyed from the past to the present, he expressed his conviction that just as he and other journalists were able to create the magazine Carrer Gran,the children who play in the street today while their parents help make the decorations will foster their own community networks in the future.

Before Sanclemente, the president of the Festa Major Foundation, Lina López, had also spoken. She is leaving her position this year and stated that she takes with her "unforgettable memories and sincere friendships." The district councilor, Laia Bonet, also intervened briefly in a speech overshadowed by the booing that, for another year, part of the square dedicated to her, showing criticism towards her and the PSC government.

The debate about neighbors' rest

Before the official ceremony and the eagle dance, in fact, the traditional alternative proclamation of the main festival had also taken place, in which two spokespeople disguised as a supposed "movement fuckingSpanishnationalist gracienc" have assured that there will be "surprises" if their demands are not met before Wednesday's street award ceremony. Among them, maintain the performing arts baccalaureate at IES Vila de Gràcia; expropriate the building at Travessera de Gràcia, 156 and some more exotic ones such as requisitioning all water bottles from tourists in Park Güell to water the lawn that the City Council has pending to install at the Europa stadium.

With the proclamation, a preview of the Gràcia festival has concluded, which will celebrate more than 900 activities from this Friday until the 21st. A program that will once again feature the decorated streets contest as its main attraction and which this year is marked by the complaints of some residents who, to combat noise and ensure rest, have unsuccessfully requested that the nighttime program end at 10 p.m. However, a white night without concerts or shows with sound amplifiers will be maintained.