Santa Tecla is coming!
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!
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.
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!
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):
Saturday 15th September
TROBADA DE GEGANTS, CABEÇUTS I DRACS PETITS (meeting of the paper maché giants and “big-heads”, dragons and eagles made by children)
11.00h Hort de Can FalçThe children participate in the party with their creations. Entertainment by La Tija (Sitgetan company of puppets)
II OPEN DE BRIDGE
Trofeo Festa Major de Santa Tecla
Hotel MiM
Organized by: Club Sitges Blau Bridge in collaboration with “Comissió de Festa Major”
XIX PHOTO CONTEST OF FIESTA MAYOR
18.00h Espai Cultural Pere Stämpfli
Opening of the photo exhibition of the best 50 photographies of “XIX Concurs de Fotografia de Festa Major” (photo contest of Festa Major) and corresponding awards to the winners. This exhibition will remain open until 30th September.
Organised by the Grup d’Estudis Sitgetans, Secció Fotogràfica.
TIMBALADA NIT DE FOC (parade of the participating drummers in the “Nit de Foc”)
19.30h La Fragata
With the drummers of the participating groups in the “Nit de Foc” (Night of Fire)
Route: Fragata, passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major y plaça de l’Ajuntament
NIT DE FOC (Night of Fire)
20.30h From Baluard
With the participation of: Espetegafoc, Diables de Les Corts, Ball de Diables de Sabadell, Ball de Diables de Torredembarra, Àliga de Sitges, Ball de Diables de Sitges and la Cuca de Castellbisbal.
Route: Baluard, Plaça de l’Ajuntament, carrer d’en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Major and Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
MOSTRA D’ENCESES (Evil firework display, by the participating groups in the Nit de Foc)
21h Plaça de l’Ajuntament
CORREFOC (Parade of demons, Eagle and dragons with fireworks display)
21.45h Starting from the street d’en Bosch
Route: Carrer d’en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Major, Nou i passeig de la Ribera
“ENCESA FINAL” CONJUNTA (Final Evil firework display, of the participating groups in the Nit de Foc)
22.50h Passeig de la Ribera
NIT DE FOC CONCERTS
23h La Fragata
With Vivèrrids, Miquel del Roig and the group of versions Angangas.
Organized by: La Saca – Sitgetana de Cultura i Animació
Sunday 16th September
EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA’S FLAG
During the hours of Parish celebrations
CONCENTRATION OF CHILDREN’S “GEGANTS & CABEÇUTS” (paper maché giants and “big-heads” made by children)
10h From plaza del Ayuntamiento
After the concentration, a parade and a final dance all together.
Route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, passeig de la Ribera and Fragata.
EXHIBITION OF CHILDREN’S WHITE DANCES (Popular dances that are neither giant, nor bigheaded, nor fire)
Onece the parade is finished, on La Fragata
With: Ball de Bastons, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cercolets, Cintes, Gitanes and Moixiganga.
CONCENTRATION OF “DRACS” AND CHILDREN DEMONS (paper maché dragons made by children)
17.30h Pont d’en Domènech
After the concentration, a parade that will finish with a final demons and dragons firework display
Route: passeig de la Ribera until la Fragata.
“BALL PARLAT DE DIABLES” INFANTIL (the “balls parlats de diables infantil” are the recitation of satirical verses made by the demon children groups about life in Sitges)
Once the “Ball Parlat” is over, a final demon firework display held at La Fragata
They will act in this order: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges, Colla Vella and Colla Jove.
Thursday 20th September
“UN HIPOPÒTAM A LA BANYERA” (An hippopotamus in the bathtub, music story)
18.00h Racó de la Calma
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!
Musical story by the youngest students and teachers of the Municipal Music School Montserrat Almirall.
Organized by: Escola Municipal de Música Montserrat Almirall
PARADING OF THE TRANSFER OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA
20.30h Departing from the Parish Church of 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 Santa Tecla from parish vicar Josep Pausas and to the sound of the Agrupació Musical Suburband of El Retiro, will parade it this year to the Fundació Ave Maria (Avenida de Artur Carbonell, 11 ), place designated by the Pendonist, Montse Quelón i Piqueras. The route will follow the streets of Baluard, plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu y Artur Carbonell.
Once the image is at the destination, PRAYER OF THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA.
CONCERT OF “GRALLES” + LES GITANES D’ANTES
21.00h Racó de la Calma
And then the leaps and pirouettes of LES GITANES D’ANTES (satire)
Event organized by Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
Friday 21st September
EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA’S FLAG
From 10.00h to 14h.00h and from 17.00h to 21.00h, Fundació Ave Maria
(Avenida de Artur Carbonell, 11)
FIESTA INFANTIL (Children’s Festival)
17.00h Palau del Rei Moro
Children’s show and party sweetened with CHOCOLATE for all the children. By the end, VESTIM ELS GEGANTS MOROS (Let us dress the “Gegants Moros”), we will dress La-hia and Fa-luch with the help of the children.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges
EL BALL (The Dance – Fiesta Mayor concerts)
21h La Fragata Beach
With Brigitte Laverne, Amaia & The Free Fall Band, El petit de Cal Eril, Mujeres and Dj Amable.
“CASTELLS” POPULAR REHEARSAL OF SANTA TECLA (open-rehearsal of human towers)
21.00h Palau del Rei Moro
Once the rehearsal is finished, there will be snacks for the participants.
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges
Saturday 22nd September
La vigília (The Eve)
EXHIBITION OF SANTA TECLA’S FLAG
From 11.00h to till the start of the Procession. Fundació Ave Maria (Avienida de Artur Carbonell, 11)
VERMUT MUSICAL
13h La Fragata
With dj’s DierKamps and Blacksubur.
21 MUSKETS ARE FIRED AND THE PARISH CHURCH BELLS ARE RUNG
14h La Fragata Beach
By Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges, in commemoration of their 40 anniversary.
BUTIFARRADA FOR THE DANCERS (butifarra for those who participate in the Popular Dances and open to all)
14h La Fragata
Open participation to all and sundry
Price: € 5 Point of sale at Janio’s Bar
PROCESIÓN CÍVICA
19.00h From Avenida Artur Carbonell, 11 (Fundació Ave Maria)
The group of traditional dancers and musicians and the authorities, with the musical group Agrupació Musical Suburband, will recover the shrine of Santa Tecla from the place designated by the “pendonista” of Santa Tecla 2018, Montserrat Quelon i Piqueras, and and they will accompany it to the parish church.
Route: Artur Carbonell, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Josep, Parellades, Marquès de Montroig, plaça de la Indústria, Primer de Maig, Santa Tecla, Bassa Rodona, passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Parellades, Cap de la Vila, Major and Ajuntament.
In front of the doors of the parish church, the popular dances receive the image of Santa Tecla 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
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 Raggatunning and Nogs.
Sunday 23rd September
Diada de Sant Tecla, protomártir, Patron Saint of Sitges
JOYFUL AND FESTIVE CHILDREN’S “MATINAL” PARADE
With the participation of Sitges children, who 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.:
MATINAL FOC (Parade for children demons and dragons)
6.30h From plaza del Ayuntamiento
Infant beasts will alternate among the groups of devils that will participate in this order: Diables de l’Agrupació de Balls Populars, Colla Vella de Diables and Colla Jove de Diables.
Route: Davallada, Barcelona, Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Josep, Espalter, plaça del Pou Vedre, Bassa Rodona, Santa Tecla, Primer de Maig, Paseo de la Ribera (sea side) and La Fragata.
MATINAL GIGANTES Y BAILES BLANCOS (Matinée route for the children’s parade of popular dances without fire and with the giants made by children)
07.00h From Baluard
Route: Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, Paseo de la Ribera (mountain side) until la Fragata.
MATINAL PEQUEÑA (Route of the smallest children participating in the “Matinal”)
8.00h Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Route: plaça de l’Ajuntament, carrer d’en Bosch, Davallada, Barcelona, Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Major, Nou, Paseo de la Ribera until la Fragata.
SOLEMN MASS IN HONOUR OF SANTA TECLA
11.00h In the Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
Presided over by Father Josep Pausas, rector. This year, Agrupació 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 “Goigs” (praises) of the Saint in charge of the Choir of the Amics del Orgue.
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 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, with Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro
Sociedad Recreativa El Retiro with la Cobla Maricel interpretará “Concert per cobla & gralles”.
SUBIDA Y BAJADA DEL PILAR DE LA JOVE DE SITGES (a human tower walks up and down the stairs of La Punta)
18h Baluard and the stairs of la Punta
Performed by la Colla Jove de Castellers de Siges
SANTA TECLA’S PROCESSION
19h From Baluard
Circuit around town with the authorities, the Saint carried by “Pubilles” and “Hereus” 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.
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 Montserrat Quelón i Piqueras, who has named as Cordonistes Ramon Paco Quelón and Fina Fernández Moya
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, plaça de l’Ajuntament 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 Santa Tecla”, composed by Antoni Català i Vidal.
SANTA TECLA 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 “Us he mirat Santa Tecla”.
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)
00.00h La Fragata Beacj
With Veneno en la Piel, K-LIU and Dj Dani Empa
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You can read the full programme in www.visitsitges.com.
Now you know what to do if you want to end your summer as it should. We’re waiting for you!