{"id":40913,"date":"2019-08-15T13:22:20","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T11:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=40913"},"modified":"2019-08-15T13:22:20","modified_gmt":"2019-08-15T11:22:20","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-gracia-festival-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/the-ultimate-guide-to-gracia-festival-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide To Gr\u00e0cia Festival 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Gr\u00e0cia Festival, or La Festa Major de Gr\u00e0cia<\/a>, is an annual celebration taking place in the lovely, bohemian neighbourhood of Gr\u00e0cia in uptown Barcelona. Organized between the 15th and 21st of August, the barrio<\/em>\u2019s lavishly<\/strong><\/em><\/span> decorated streets and the festival\u2019s many activities await locals and foreigners, families and groups of friends alike.<\/p>\n

But where does this unique 200-year-old tradition come from? We\u2019ve put together a short history lesson about the Gr\u00e0cia Festival, complete with a guide to everything it has in store for visitors this year.<\/p>\n

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The history of the Gr\u00e0cia Festival<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

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The week-long street festival has its roots in the 19th century. It was first celebrated in 1817<\/a>, starting on August 15, the Day of the Assumption of Mary. This day still marks the official commencement<\/strong><\/em><\/span> of the festivities each year.<\/p>\n

At the time, Gr\u00e0cia was still an independent town (until its annexation<\/strong><\/em><\/span> by Barcelona in 1897), and its inhabitants decorated the streets in a spectacular fashion, with handmade ornaments and works of important artists.<\/p>\n

In the past 200 years, the festival has evolved in many ways. During the year 1975, for a brief moment, it even became a politicized event<\/a>, celebrating democracy and Catalan culture during the oppression of Franco.<\/p>\n

Its religious aspect has faded to make way for a more secular<\/strong><\/em><\/span>, mainstream festival that attracts locals and tourists alike. However, the core value of the festival continues to be community and togetherness.<\/p>\n

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The Gr\u00e0cia Festival today<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

 
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