Mercè 2013: Correfoc

Although the beasts and creatures involved in the correfoc have a very long tradition, the 'fire run' itself was only born in 1979 and had its origins in a show of fantastic creatures that mostly Catalan groups from outside Barcelona took part in. The show, with its background in traditions such as a dance of demons that was already being performed in the 14th century, was reborn with the name correfoc and was an instant success that ended up defining the Mercè festival but that also spread rapidly to be included in nearly all Catalan festivals. Before the correfoc you can see the Tabalada marching drum parade that ends with a percussion concert which brings together all the percussionists in the city of all ages in Plaça del Rei (6pm).