La Mercè 2018: Associate yourself with the festival

Plaça Catalunya is once again the heart of the Festa Major of La Mercè for the third edition of this big party of the city's associations. The party represents the voice of popular culture and celebrates democratic values and the collective appropriation of Barcelona's streets and squares. The meeting place is full of activities where locals share their values on the themes of social transformation, such as charity, cooperation, gender equality and sustainability. From September 22 to 24 some 200 group, participative, individual and creative activities will take place within a programme coproduced by some 200 Barcelona associations that invite everyone to participate.

Two stages fill the city's main square with performances from various disciplines and formats: pop music, gospel, contemporary and traditional dance, theatre. The square is divided into three colour-coded spaces that host various activities: Espai Plaça Verd (Green), Espai Plaça Blau (Blue) and Espai Plaça Vermell (Red). In the Espai Plaça Verd you can find out firsthand the difficulties those with reduced mobility encounter, meet some of Barcelona's artisan lacemakers, or play a cooperative football match. In the Blau, take in small-format musical performances. And in the Vermell, join in activities of movement and body expression: from acrobatics to circus performing and artistic gymnastics, and even Bollywood dancing. 

You'll also find a Bedouin tent, where you'll be transported to the Sahara desert through awareness workshops, and where you can also enjoy a cup of tea, get dressed up in traditional clothing and learn about the struggle of the Saharawi people. The programme is rounded out with murals of urban art that fill the square, a communication space, and live radio, where seven local radio stations offer 20 hours of live programming from the centre of the square.