Welcome to the Middle-earth of Gràcia, the world that fights not to disappear

BarcelonaSummarizing more than 1,200 pages divided into three books and more than nine hours of film divided into three films –and, therefore, apologies to the fans–, The Lord of the Rings tells the story of how the hobbits, elves, men, and dwarves of Middle-earth – J.R.R. Tolkien's alternative and fantastic world – united to fight evil and to try to destroy the one ring, an evil jewel with which the world could be dominated. Just when a new season of the series "The Rings of Power" is about to premiere, and a new film in this universe is being filmed, the Gràcia neighborhood is proposing itself as a luxury setting for new productions. Right now in the center of Barcelona there are several Gollums – the owner of the ring for many years, a creature that inspires both fear and pity – dragons, a magical forest, and a wizard Gandalf. But Gràcia does not only remember The Lord of the Rings for this.

The union of the peoples of Middle-earth is also reflected in the initiative of a few streets –Progrés, Fraternitat de Dalt, Fraternitat de Baix, Tordera and Llibertat– to, for the first time in a long time, create a joint theme for the decorations of the traditional Gràcia festivals. It hadn't been done since 2010. But, even Frodo's objective – the hobbit who seeks to destroy the ring and who does not want to change the land where he lives – also emerges in a neighborhood that claims to be "of the neighbors" during this festival, which sees some residents who have been expelled by the ever-increasing prices of apartments return to help with the installations, and which lives as an oasis that people like Josep Sarasa, 84 years old, are painting an elf next to the new generations of Gràcia residents, who are barely over ten years old; a Gràcia that recalls Teresines making decorations in their very busy apartment.

"The festival is the decoration process, the community that is created", explains Dani, from Progrés street. For years the idea of doing something together had been circulating, especially due to the good harmony between the current generations of decorators, and finally, The Lord of the Rings has made it a reality. Each street competes separately and has total freedom to decide how to make the decorations, with what materials – most opt for sustainable materials – and how to bring Tolkien's world to the center of Barcelona, but they have divided the scenes from the books and films to avoid repetition. "It's a great idea, it creates unity between streets", agrees Marta, a member of the board of Fraternitat de Baix street.

This Saturday morning everything is ready even though in the days before there is always that feeling of not being able to make it. Everyone goes when they can and does what they can, and on the last night, the one from the 14th to the 15th, the final touches are usually made. At that moment, a large number of people also arrive to help, and even a hundred decorators can gather in a street.

Through the trinkets, one will be able to travel through Tolkien's world just as the hobbits do to carry the ring to Mordor, starting with The Shire, continuing through the elven landscape of Rivendell, passing through the dark mines of Moria, the plains of Rohan, the forests of Fangorn or the walls of Minas Tirith. On each street there will be a beacon, a tower that lights up in Tolkien's world to ask for help between peoples; a new symbol of unity.

The rest of the aspirants

This Saturday, the five streets twinned by Tolkien's universe were among those that generated the longest queues. The dragons of Progrés – one of them spectacular – are once again turning this street into one of the favorites to win the decoration contest, as it did last year and three years ago. Also the Argonath, which preside over the access to Llibertat street, will score many points in a competition where streets that have opted for other themes apart from The Lord of the Rings.

Among the rest of the contenders, Mozart stands out once again, who two years ago already won with his tribute to the universe of Miyazaki and this year has created a beautiful enchanted greenhouse full of exotic birds. Also Verdi de Dalt, who has planted a forest where caterpillars end up transforming into exuberant butterflies, or Plaça Rovira, with its underwater tribute to Antònia Font, and one of the best details of this edition: the exhibition that allows you to see sketches of the decorations from other years. Also noteworthy are the rascally pirates from La Perla – with a dungeon for those who don't behave – the firefighters from Joan Blanques de Baix, the eschatological bet from Plaça de la Vila, and the Catalan farmhouse from Travessia de Sant Antoni.