Carnival is celebrated before Ash Wednesday and it’s a moment of transgression, satire and costumes.
The reign of the Carnival King ends with the “entierro de la sardina”, a grotesque funeral parade in which the symbolic cardboard figure of a sardine is marched through the streets and finally ceremonially burnt or buried.
In Catalonia, one of the most famous Carnivals is the one that’s celebrated in Torelló, knows as “El Pullassu”, which starts with the coup d’état done by the king of Carnival. The atmosphere of the party is “ludic-festive-sexual”, as defined by its organizers, and it restores the authentic essence of this party, with giants, fire, music and the participation of the whole town. One of the most mass acts is the rua de les Senyoretes i els Homenots, where the sexes are changed.
Sitges celebrates another outstanding Carnival, with more than 100 years of history. During a week, streets are full of activities, starting with the arribo of the king of Carnival and continuing with dances, xatonades, the licentiousness and the extermination parades… More than 50 floats and 2.000 people participate in these famous parades.
There are other Carnivals with history: in Solsona, they hang a stuffed donkey in the bell tower and it sprinkles water to the crowd; Reushas satiric texts and a tomato war; and in Vilanova i la Geltrú they do the Merengada (a meringue’s war).
But Carnival is celebrated in all the places in Catalonia, and you can enjoy parades and party all these days long, so come to Catalonia and enjoy Carnival!