{"id":1266,"date":"2018-09-15T12:14:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-15T12:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.staysitges.com\/blog\/?p=1266"},"modified":"2018-11-19T11:53:22","modified_gmt":"2018-11-19T11:53:22","slug":"santa-tecla-is-coming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.staysitges.com\/blog\/2018\/09\/15\/santa-tecla-is-coming\/","title":{"rendered":"Santa Tecla is coming!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santa Tecla is coming!<\/h1>\n

After the main festival of summer, most of the habitants and tourists of Sitges have already returned to their corresponding routines and said goodbye to the holidays until next year. However, the September party is about to arrive and, even though we have entered into the life of work and studies, each year it gives us that last summer memory to be able to endure all winter with energy: Santa Tecla!<\/h2>\n

If you still didn’t know this party, we think that the best way to describe it is like a reduced and familiar version of the August festival. Being September, the spectators are reduced to habitants of the town and surroundings since most of the tourists have left, and therefore it becomes a much more comfortable, quieter and therefore more pleasant party, especially for the children.<\/p>\n

All the popular dances and all the groups that act in the main party act but also join the children’s groups, which have been practicing for months to execute their best outings. Apart from the traditional, there is also a long list of related and parallel activities such as concerts, workshops, vermouths … for more than a week!<\/p>\n

Then we leave part of the program, a selection we made this weekend and the most important days of the week to come (which is when Santa Tecla is celebrated):<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saturday 15th \u00a0September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

TROBADA DE GEGANTS, CABE\u00c7UTS I DRACS PETITS (meeting of the paper mach\u00e9 giants and “big-heads”, dragons and eagles made by children)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

11.00h Hort de Can Fal\u00e7The children participate in the party with their creations. Entertainment by La Tija (Sitgetan company of puppets)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

II OPEN DE BRIDGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Trofeo Festa Major de Santa Tecla<\/p>\n

Hotel MiM<\/p>\n

Organized by: Club Sitges Blau Bridge in collaboration with \u201cComissi\u00f3 de Festa Major\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

XIX PHOTO CONTEST OF FIESTA MAYOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

18.00h Espai Cultural Pere St\u00e4mpfli<\/p>\n

Opening of the photo exhibition of \u00a0the best 50 photographies of \u00a0“XIX Concurs de Fotografia de Festa Major” (photo contest of Festa Major) \u00a0and corresponding awards to the winners. This exhibition will remain open until 30th September.<\/p>\n

Organised by the Grup d\u2019Estudis Sitgetans, Secci\u00f3 Fotogr\u00e0fica.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

TIMBALADA NIT DE FOC (parade of the participating drummers in the “Nit de Foc”)<\/strong><\/p>\n

19.30h La Fragata<\/p>\n

With the drummers of the participating groups in the “Nit de Foc” (Night of Fire)<\/p>\n

Route: Fragata, passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major y pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NIT DE FOC\u00a0<\/strong>(Night of Fire)<\/strong><\/p>\n

20.30h From Baluard<\/p>\n

With the participation of: Espetegafoc, Diables de Les Corts, Ball de Diables de Sabadell, Ball de Diables de Torredembarra, \u00c0liga de Sitges, Ball de Diables de Sitges and la Cuca de Castellbisbal.<\/p>\n

Route: Baluard, Pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament, carrer d\u2019en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Major and Pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MOSTRA D\u2019ENCESES (Evil firework display, \u00a0by the participating groups in the Nit de Foc)<\/strong><\/p>\n

21h Pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CORREFOC (Parade of demons, Eagle and dragons with fireworks display)<\/strong><\/p>\n

21.45h Starting from the street d\u2019en Bosch<\/p>\n

Route: Carrer d\u2019en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Major, Nou i passeig de la Ribera<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cENCESA FINAL\u201d CONJUNTA (Final Evil firework display, of the participating groups in the Nit de Foc)<\/strong><\/p>\n

22.50h Passeig de la Ribera<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NIT DE FOC CONCERTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

23h La Fragata<\/p>\n

With Viv\u00e8rrids, Miquel del Roig and the group of versions Angangas.<\/p>\n

Organized by: La Saca – Sitgetana de Cultura i Animaci\u00f3<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Sunday 16th \u00a0September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA\u2019S FLAG<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the hours of Parish celebrations<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCENTRATION OF CHILDREN\u2019S “GEGANTS & CABE\u00c7UTS” (paper mach\u00e9 giants and “big-heads” made by children)<\/strong><\/p>\n

10h From plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/p>\n

After the concentration, a parade and a final dance all together.<\/p>\n

Route: Pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, passeig de la Ribera and Fragata.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EXHIBITION OF CHILDREN\u2019S WHITE DANCES (Popular dances that are neither giant, nor bigheaded, nor fire)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Onece the parade is finished, on La Fragata<\/p>\n

With: Ball de Bastons, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cercolets, Cintes, Gitanes and Moixiganga.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCENTRATION OF \u201cDRACS\u201d \u00a0AND CHILDREN DEMONS (paper mach\u00e9 dragons made by children)<\/strong><\/p>\n

17.30h Pont d\u2019en Dom\u00e8nech<\/p>\n

After the concentration, a parade that will finish with a final demons and dragons firework display<\/p>\n

Route: passeig de la Ribera until la Fragata.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cBALL PARLAT DE DIABLES\u201d INFANTIL (the “balls parlats de diables infantil” are the recitation of satirical verses made by the demon children groups about life in Sitges)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once the \u201cBall Parlat\u201d is over, a final demon firework display held at La Fragata<\/p>\n

They will act in this order: Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars de Sitges, Colla Vella and Colla Jove.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thursday 20th \u00a0September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cUN HIPOP\u00d2TAM A LA BANYERA\u201d (An hippopotamus in the bathtub, music story)<\/strong><\/p>\n

18.00h Rac\u00f3 de la Calma<\/p>\n

You can not imagine what can appear in a bathtub! Will we find the Pukka duck? Will we hear the sound of the sea? PETA bubbles? What is the cry of the hippopotamus? And the song of the whale? Come and discover it!<\/p>\n

Musical story by the youngest students and teachers of the Municipal Music School Montserrat Almirall.<\/p>\n

Organized by: Escola Municipal de M\u00fasica Montserrat Almirall<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PARADING OF THE TRANSFER OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA<\/strong><\/p>\n

20.30h Departing from the Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu y Santa Tecla<\/p>\n

The Municipal Commission of the Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, will recieve the icon of Santa Tecla from parish vicar Josep Pausas and to the sound of the Agrupaci\u00f3 Musical Suburband of El Retiro, will parade it this year to the Fundaci\u00f3 Ave Maria (Avenida de Artur Carbonell, 11 ), place designated by the Pendonist, Montse Quel\u00f3n i Piqueras. The\u00a0route will follow the streets<\/strong>\u00a0of Baluard, pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jes\u00fas, Sant Bartomeu y Artur Carbonell.<\/p>\n

Once the image is at the destination, PRAYER OF THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCERT OF \u201cGRALLES\u201d + LES GITANES D\u2019ANTES<\/strong><\/p>\n

21.00h Rac\u00f3 de la Calma<\/p>\n

And then the leaps and pirouettes of \u00a0LES GITANES D\u2019ANTES (satire)<\/p>\n

Event organized by Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars de Sitges.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Friday 21st \u00a0September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA\u2019S FLAG<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 10.00h to 14h.00h and from 17.00h to 21.00h, Fundaci\u00f3 Ave Maria<\/p>\n

(Avenida de Artur Carbonell, 11)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FIESTA INFANTIL (Children\u2019s Festival)<\/strong><\/p>\n

17.00h Palau del Rei Moro<\/p>\n

Children’s show and party sweetened with CHOCOLATE for all the children. By the end,\u00a0VESTIM ELS GEGANTS MOROS (Let us dress the “Gegants Moros”)<\/strong>, we will dress La-hia and Fa-luch with the help of the children.<\/p>\n

Organized by: Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars de Sitges<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

EL BALL (The Dance \u2013 Fiesta Mayor concerts)<\/strong><\/p>\n

21h La Fragata Beach<\/p>\n

With Brigitte Laverne, Amaia & The Free Fall Band, El petit de Cal Eril, Mujeres and Dj Amable.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cCASTELLS\u201d POPULAR REHEARSAL OF SANTA TECLA (open-rehearsal of human towers)<\/strong><\/p>\n

21.00h Palau del Rei Moro<\/p>\n

Once the rehearsal is finished, there will be snacks for the participants.<\/p>\n

Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Saturday 22nd September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

La vig\u00edlia (The Eve)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA\u2019S FLAG<\/strong><\/p>\n

From 11.00h to till the start of the Procession. Fundaci\u00f3 Ave Maria (Avienida de Artur Carbonell, 11)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

VERMUT MUSICAL\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

13h La Fragata<\/p>\n

With dj\u2019s DierKamps and Blacksubur.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

21 MUSKETS ARE FIRED AND THE PARISH CHURCH BELLS ARE RUNG<\/strong><\/p>\n

14h La Fragata Beach<\/p>\n

By Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars de Sitges, in commemoration of their 40 anniversary.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>BUTIFARRADA FOR THE DANCERS (butifarra for those who participate in the Popular Dances and open to all)<\/strong><\/p>\n

14h La Fragata<\/p>\n

Open participation to all and sundry<\/p>\n

Price: \u20ac 5 Point of sale at Janio’s Bar<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PROCESI\u00d3N C\u00cdVICA<\/strong><\/p>\n

19.00h From Avenida Artur Carbonell, 11 (Fundaci\u00f3 Ave Maria)<\/p>\n

The group of traditional dancers and musicians and the authorities, with the musical group Agrupaci\u00f3 Musical Suburband, will recover the shrine of Santa Tecla from the place designated by the \u201cpendonista\u201d of Santa Tecla 2018, Montserrat Quelon i Piqueras, and and they will accompany it to the parish church.<\/p>\n

Route: Artur Carbonell, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Parellades, Marqu\u00e8s de Montroig, pla\u00e7a de la Ind\u00fastria, Primer de Maig, Santa Tecla, Bassa Rodona, passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major and Ajuntament.<\/p>\n

In front of the doors of the parish church, the popular dances receive the image of Santa Tecla which, accompanied by the authorities, the \u201cPendonista\u201d and \u201cCordonistes\u201d will be placed in the presbytery to preside over the\u00a0liturgies of the festival.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FIREWORKS<\/strong><\/p>\n

23.00h From la Punta (Parish), La Fragata and the breakwaters<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SARDANAS Eve<\/strong><\/p>\n

From midnight at Cap de la Vila<\/p>\n

With Cobla Sitgetana.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EL BALL (The Dance \u2013 Fiesta Mayor concerts)<\/strong><\/p>\n

From midnight, on La Fragata beach<\/p>\n

With Raggatunning and Nogs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sunday 23rd \u00a0September<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Diada de Sant Tecla, protom\u00e1rtir, Patron Saint of Sitges<\/strong><\/h3>\n

JOYFUL AND FESTIVE CHILDREN\u2019S \u201cMATINAL\u201d PARADE<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the participation of Sitges children, \u00a0who will performance the popular dances. There are 3 routes and breakfast for the participating children when the route ends, courtesy of the Municipal Market of Sitges.:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MATINAL FOC<\/strong>\u00a0(Parade for children demons and dragons)<\/p>\n

6.30h From plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/p>\n

Infant beasts will alternate among the groups of devils that will participate in this order: Diables de l\u2019Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars, Colla Vella de Diables and Colla Jove de Diables.<\/p>\n

Route: Davallada, Barcelona, \u00c0ngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Josep, Espalter, pla\u00e7a del Pou Vedre, Bassa Rodona, Santa Tecla, Primer de Maig, Paseo de la Ribera (sea side) and La Fragata.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MATINAL GIGANTES Y BAILES BLANCOS<\/strong>\u00a0(Matin\u00e9e route for the children\u2019s parade of popular dances without fire and with the giants made by children)<\/p>\n

07.00h From Baluard<\/p>\n

Route: Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n\u2019Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Dami\u00e0, Sant Sebasti\u00e0, Jes\u00fas, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, Paseo de la Ribera (mountain side) until la Fragata.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MATINAL PEQUE\u00d1A<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0(Route of the smallest children participating in the \u201cMatinal\u201d)<\/p>\n

8.00h Plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/p>\n

Route: pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament, carrer d\u2019en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, \u00c0ngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Major, Nou, Paseo de la Ribera until la Fragata.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF SANTA TECLA<\/strong><\/p>\n

11.00h In the Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla<\/p>\n

Presided over by Father Josep Pausas, rector. This year, Agrupaci\u00f3 de Balls Populars de Sitges, will make the offering to Santa Tecla commemorating its 40th anniversary. At the end of the celebration, song of the \u201cGoigs\u201d (praises) \u00a0of the Saint in charge of the Choir of the Amics del Orgue.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EXIT FROM MASS<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the celebration of mass, from the Baluard to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/p>\n

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 most magical moments of the festivities.<\/p>\n

After the performance of the popular dances, the band will perform “Els Segadors”, the national hymn of Catalonia.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CASTELLS EXHIBITION (Human Towers)<\/strong><\/p>\n

13.00h Plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/p>\n

Performed by Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONCERT- VERMOUTH OF FESTA MAJOR<\/strong><\/p>\n

13.00h After the exit of mass<\/p>\n

Casino Prado Suburense, \u00a0with Agrupaci\u00f3 Musical Suburband del Retiro<\/p>\n

Sociedad Recreativa El Retiro with la Cobla Maricel interpretar\u00e1 \u201cConcert per cobla & gralles\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SUBIDA Y BAJADA DEL PILAR DE LA JOVE DE SITGES (a human tower walks up and down the stairs of La Punta)<\/strong><\/p>\n

18h Baluard and the stairs of la Punta<\/p>\n

Performed by la Colla Jove de Castellers de Siges<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SANTA TECLA\u2019S PROCESSION<\/strong><\/p>\n

19h From \u00a0Baluard<\/p>\n

Circuit around town with the authorities, the Saint carried by \u201cPubilles\u201d and \u201cHereus\u201d and the folkloric dances and musicians, accompanied by all the Sitgetanas and Sitgetans who wish it. The rector of the parish, Mn. Josep Pausas i Mas will preside over the processional act joined by the Illustrious Town Hall dignataries.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cCostaleros\u201d of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. The Flag of Sant Bartomeu shall be carried by the pendonista Montserrat Quel\u00f3n i Piqueras, who has named as Cordonistes Ramon Paco Quel\u00f3n and Fina Fern\u00e1ndez Moya<\/p>\n

Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Santiago Rusi\u00f1ol, Jes\u00fas, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Bonaire, passeig de la Ribera, Nou, Major, pla\u00e7a de l\u2019Ajuntament and Baluard.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cEls Gegants de Sitges\u201d composed by Tom\u00e0s Gil i Membrado and “La Process\u00f3 de Santa Tecla”, composed by Antoni Catal\u00e0 i Vidal.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

SANTA TECLA RETURNS TO THE PARISH CHURCH\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Then, inside the temple, closing prayer \u201cUs he mirat Santa Tecla\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

LAST DANCE OF THE \u201cB\u00c8STIES DE FOC\u201d AND GEGANTS (Beasts of fire and giants)<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the Saint restored to the parish church, the gegants, drac and \u00e0liga (papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 giants, dragons and eagle) dance their farewell at Pla\u00e7a de l’Ajuntament<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

EL BALL (The Dance \u2013 Fiesta Mayor concerts)<\/strong><\/p>\n

00.00h La Fragata Beacj<\/p>\n

With Veneno en la Piel, K-LIU and Dj Dani Empa<\/p>\n

–<\/p>\n

You can read the full programme in www.visitsitges.com.<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now you know what to do if you want to end your summer as it should. We’re waiting for you!<\/p>\n

Book now<\/a><\/p>\n