The most anticipated summer party is coming…

Summer is fast, so much so that suddenly we realize that we have a little more than a month’s vacation… and we rush to squeeze what we have left and be able to finish making all the plans we had set for this summer.
Although it gives us a slight slump feeling, the arrival of August in Sitges means that something very good about.

Nothing more and nothing less than our “Festa Major”! The popular party most adored by the locals and by the tourists who come to live it every year. Days of concerts, popular dances, fireworks, endless activities for the whole family… and above all, lots of emotions.

The party lasts from August 19 to 26, and this is the incredible program that is prepared:

Sunday 19th

EXHIBITION OF THE FLAG OF SANT BARTOMEU

Open during the hours of parish church celebrations

LECTURA DEL PREGÓN SATÍRICO (Reading of Satirical Opening Speech)

19.00h Opposite the Palau del Rei Moro (Street d’en Bosch, 10-12)

By Mercè Garcia Campillo. At the end, announcement of the “Pubilla” and “Hereu” of Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges 2018 and member’s awards. The party will conclude with a glass of cava and refreshments.

Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

BARRAQUES (Music concerts)

20.00h La Fragata

Concert by Núria Graham

Organized by: Barraques in collaboration with Comissió de Festa Major

PREGÓN DE FIESTA MAYOR (Fiesta Mayor Street Cry)

21.30h On the “Plaça de l’Ajuntament ”

Opening speech by Talino Plana, with simultaneous interpretation in Catalan sign language. The Pregó (Festa Major Street Cry) will be broadcasted live at the Fragata. In the case of rain or bad weather, the proclamation will take place elsewhere to that be announced through the social networks.

Once the speech is concluded, on the Baluard Square celebration of the beginning of the Fiesta Mayor with a glass of Cava, courtesy of Perbacco and a glass of beer courtesy of La Sitgetana Craftbeer

BARRAQUES (Music concerts)

La Fragata

With concerts by :

22.45h Mishima

00.35h Buhos

02.10h Dj Send0

Organized by: Barraques in collaboration with Comissió de Festa Major

Monday 20th

VESTIMOS A LOS GEGANTS MOROS (Let us dress the “Gegants Moros”)

18.30h Opposite the Palau del Rei Moro

We will dress La-hia and Fa-luch with the company of the children.

Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

CINEMA A LA FRESCA (Outdoor cinema)

22.00h Hort de Can Falç

“Aida” opera by Giuseppe Verdi live from the Sydney Bay.

Admission price: € 10. Tickets on sale at www.cineclubsitges.com and at the Cinema Prado box office.

Organized by: Cineclub Sitges

MÚSICA EN LA CALLE (Music on the streets)

From 19.00h, in different establishments

Pique Nique, Hotel Sitges 1883, Cafè Bar Roy, Janio’s Bar, La Cava del Retiro, La Guineu and Jardins del Retiro

The music groups and artists, Justo, Raül Bonilla, Oshun, Ramzéh, Sergi Ramírez, Sergi Estella and Xarim Aresté, will act as a final party in the Retiro gardens, at 22.00h.

Tuesday 21st

TRANSFER OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU

20.30h From Parroquia de Sant Bartomeu y Santa Tecla

The Municipal Commission of the Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, will recieve the icon of Sant Bartomeu from parish vicar Josep Pausas and to the sound of the Agrupació Musical Suburband of El Retiro, will parade it this year to Casino Prado Suburense (c/ Francesc Gumà, 6-14), place designated by the Pendonist, Tony Tudela Pérez.

The route will follow the streets of Baluard, plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jesús, Francesc Gumà.

To follow, inauguration of the exhibition of the image of Sant Bartomeu open until 21:00h.

CONCERT OF “HAVANERES”

19.30h Paseo de la Ribera

By Havaneres Xarxa. The typical “rom cremat” (burned rum) will be offered.

EL BALL (The Dance – Fiesta Mayor concerts)

MARIA ARNAL I MARCEL BAGÉS

22.30h Baluard

Recognized with all the possible prizes within the panorama of Catalan independent music, the Badalona vocalist and the guitarist of Flix continue the chain of popular music transmission with their own songs.

Price: € 9 Limited capacity.

Tickets for sale at the Commission stand and at the Tourist Office.

LA PALMERA TORTA SELECTORS (Dj’s selected by the La Palmera Torta organization)

00.00h Baluard de Santa Caterina

Wednesday 22nd

EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU

10.30h to 13.00h and from 17.00h to 21.00h at Casino Prado Suburense

FESTA MAJOR VERMOUTH

13.00h Ateneu Popular de Sitges

(c/ del Sol, 2)

Ateneu invites all Sitgetans and Sitgetanas to share this moment and celebrate the arrival of the Fiesta with live music by the group Sidral Brass Band.

Organized by: Ateneu Popular de Sitges

“CASTELLS” POPULAR REHEARSAL OF FIESTA MAJOR (open rehearsal of human towers)

After the rehearsal, presentation of the Pubilla and Hereu of the Colla Jove de Castellers 2018. Snack and glass of cava

Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges

DELIVERY OF THE FLAG

21.30h Parish of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla

with poems and singing of Sant Bartomeu “Goigs” (praises) by the “Amics de l’Orgue” chorus . This year, the author of the Poem of the Flag titled “Bon Viatge!” (Nice trip!) is the writing group “ Talleres de Texto” and the illustration that accompanies it is made by Iris Salamé.

PARADING OF THE TRANSFER OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU

After the act in the Parish Church

Followed by the musical group “Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro” parading to the home of the President of the “Commissió”, Maica Díez-Alcón, on Santa Bárbara, 26.

Route: Baluard, plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Parellades, plaça del Pou Vedre, Santa Bàrbara.

SINDRIADA POPULAR (watermelon for all)

When the flag is arrived arrives at Parc de Can Bóta

The event will be livened up by the music of the group Retrio.

Organized by: Comissió de Festa Major with the collaboration of frutería Albert i Anna.

Thursday 23rd August

La Vigília (The Eve)

EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANT BARTOMEU

From 11.00h to till the start of the Civic Procession, Casino Prado Suburense

ENTRADA DE GRALLERS ( Arrival of the “Grallers” )

12.00h Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Major and plaça de l’Ajuntament

The different groups offer their inaugural concert in tribute to the founders of the Festa Major. Participation of “grallers” of Escola de Grallers de Sitges, Marcets, La Sitja, Colla Maricel, Santa Madrona i Montònec (because of their 40th anniversary), and the groups of “sacaires”, Joan Olarte, Víctor Berbegal and Miquel Acunya.

21 MUSKETS ARE FIRED AND THE PARISH CHURCH BELLS ARE RUNG

14.00h Playa de la Fragata

By Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges in commemoration of their 25th anniversary.

SARDANAS

14.00h Cap de la Vila

Two emblematic Sitges sardanas are danced: “La processó de Sant Bartomeu” (The Procession of Sant Bartomeu) by the maestro Antoni Català and “La Festa Major”, by Enric Morera, played by La Cobla Sitgetana

PARADE OF TRADITIONAL POPULAR DANCES

14.00h Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Starting at Plaza Ayuntamiento: Gegants, Cabeçuts, Drac, Àliga, Diables, Bastons, Cercolets, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cintes, Gitanes and Moixiganga, accompanied by the musical group Suburband Retiro.

At the Cap de la Vila, the Moixiganga will perform the complete dance.

EXHIBITION AND PERFORMANCE OF “BALLS PARLATS” (the “balls parlats” are the recitation of verses of some of the popular dances)

14.30h Hort de Can Falç

Arriving at Hort Can Falç, In honor of the authorities and the citizens, all the groups will perform the full dances and there will be “Balls Parlats” (speeches/recitation of verses): Ball de diables, Ball de Cercolets, Ball de Gitanes and Ball de Pastorets).

Simultaneously some groups will visit the Sant Joan Baptista Hospital

CASTELLES EXHIBITION (Human Towers)

18.00h Cap de la Vila

By Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

CIVIC PROCESSION

19.00h From the home of the president of Comisión de Fiesta Mayor, Maica Díez-Alcón

(Santa Bárbara, 26)

The group of traditional dancers and musicians and the authorities, will recover the shrine of Sant Bartomeu from the place designated by the “pendonista” of the Festa Major 2018, Mr. Tony Tudela Pérez, and and they will accompany it to the parish church.

Route: Santa Bárbara, plaza del Pozo Vedre, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Sant Francesc, Sant Gaudenci, Francesc Gumà, Jesús, Santiago Rusiñol, Barcelona, Davallada, carrer d’en Bosch, plaça del Ayuntamiento and Baluard.

In front of the doors of the parish church, the popular dances receive the image of Sant Bartomeu which, accompanied by the authorities, the “Pendonista” and “Cordonistes” will be placed in the presbytery to preside over the liturgies of the festival.

FIREWORKS

23.00h From la Punta (Parish), La Fragata and the breakwaters

By Pirotècnia Igual S.A. and artistic design by Isidre Pañella i Virella. Honorary Citizen of Sitges.

CASTELL DE FOC EN CALMA (Fireworks in calm)

23.00h Passeig de la Ribera

(in front of Pic-Nic Restaurant, on the sea side)

During the pyrotechnic show, a seating area will be set up, where attendees will enjoy a tasting of a glass of cava Maria Casanovas Brut de Brut.

Price: 5 euros. Tickets for sale at the Commission stand and at the Sitges Tourist Office.

Disabled people free.

Collaboration: Perbacco and cava Maria Casanovas.

THE DESCENT OF THE STAIRS BY THE POPULAR DANCES

Once the fireworks are over, the popular dances descend the “La Punta” stairs

Parade to El Greco Monument and back to Carrer Nou.

SARDANAS Eve

From midnight at Cap de la Vila

With Cobla Sitgetana.

EL BALL (The Dance – Fiesta Mayor concerts)

From midnight, on La Fragata beach

With Orquesta Taxman, guaranteeing a night of rhythm and “sabor”, and the internationally recognized, Sitges DJ, Nuria Scarp.

Friday 24th

Diada de Sant Bartomeu Apóstol, Patron Saint of Sitges

JOYFUL AND FESTIVE “MATINAL”

6h Desdel Baluard Miquel Utrillo i Morlius

6h From Baluard Miquel Utrillo i Morlius

The “matinal” begins early in the morning, and the folkloric dances and musicians with the “charanga” Buskant el To, follow an itinerary through the streets of town while flowers are handed out to lady spectators by “la Comissió de Festa Major”. People can join in the “ball de faixes” (one must be dressed in white and wear “espardenyes de betes” (espadrilles with ribbons) and a “faixa” (waistband in the fashion of the castellers).

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Espalter, plaça del Pou Vedre, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major and Ajuntament.

SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF SANT BARTOUMEU

10.30h Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla

Presided over by Father Josep Pausas, rector. This year, the group Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, will make the offering to Sant Bartomeu commemorating its 25th anniversary. At the end of the celebration, song of the “Goigs” (praises) of the Saint in charge of the Choir of the Amics del Orgue and veneration of the relic.

EXIT FROM MASS

After the celebration of mass, from the Baluard to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Musical parade of the Band, which will accompany the authorities to the Town Hall. Then, all the dances and their respective musicians will perform, together with the Cobla Maricel and the Suburband del Retiro Music Group, they will come together in one of the most magical moments of the festivities.

After the performance of the popular dances, the band will perform “Els Segadors”, the national hymn of Catalonia.

CASTELLS EXHIBITION (Human Towers)

13.00h Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Performed by Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.

CONCERT- VERMOUTH OF FESTA MAJOR

13.00h After the exit of mass

Casino Prado Suburense, Cobla Maricel will perform “Concert per cobla & gralles”.

Sociedad Recreativa El Retiro with the performance of Agrupación Musical Suburband del Retiro.

SANT BARTOMEU’S PROCESSION

19.30h From Baluard

Circuit around town with the authorities, the Saint and the folkloric dances and musicians, accompanied by all the Sitgetanas and Sitgetans who wish it. The rector of the parish, Mn. Josep Pausas y Mas will preside over the processional act joined by the Illustrious Town Hall dignataries.

The popular dances, grallers and the Suburband del Retiro will precede the tabernacle. The tabernacle, with the image of the Saint, will be taken by the “Costaleros” of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. The Flag of Sant Bartomeu shall be carried by the pendonista Tony Tudela Pérez, who has named as Cordonistes Vinyet Tudela Aledo, Gerard Ferrer Cuellar, Isaac Bielsa Tutusaus and Josep M. Marrades Puig.

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Santiago Rusiñol, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, passeig de la Ribera, Nou, Major, plaza de Ayuntamiento and Baluard.

As the procession advances along the Paseo de la Ribera, the religous procession will be saluted by firing mortars and the ringing of bells, La Cobla Sitgetana will interpret the sardanas “Els Gegants de Sitges” composed by Tomàs Gil i Membrado and “La Processó de Sant Bartomeu”, composed by Antoni Català i Vidal.

SANT BARTOMEU RETURNS TO THE PARISH CHURCH

When the Saint is being returned to the parish church, in the plaza del Baluard in front of the church all the fires and crackers are lit, the dances are carried out to their respective music and a small firework display takes place. It is, in all probability, one of the most emotional and awe inspiring moments of the fiesta.

Then, inside the temple, closing prayer.

LAST DANCE OF THE “BÈSTIES DE FOC” AND GEGANTS (Beasts of fire and giants)

With the Saint restored to the parish church, the gegants, drac and àliga (papier-mâché giants, dragons and eagle) dance their farewell at Plaça de l’Ajuntament.

EL BALL (The Dance – Fiesta Mayor concerts)

23h La Fragata Beach

With Falciots Ninja, Ramon Mirabet and dj’s Kimberly i Clark.