Devils and sparkler fireworks during La Merce festival in Barcelona, Spain
Every year close to the end of September Barcelona holds its largest street party, the Barcelona La Merce Festival. Barcelona La Merce lasts for around 5 days and is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The festival, which officially first took place in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn. If you are going to experience the Correfoc it is highly advisable to take protective clothing because often powerful sparkler fireworks are sprayed into the crowds. People should bring hats, protective glasses and thick long sleeved tops that will protect you from the flying sparklers. There is normally 2 types of Correfoc on the same evening. One of them is for the children and is a lot more tame than the "adult" Correfoc which happens later on in the evening The Correfoc event takes place at dusk. Normally along and around Via Laietana. The road will be closed off and then opens to "The Devils" . The Barcelona Correfoc - you can see the dragon spraying flames into the crowds Devils are special community groups that dress up like devils and parade the streets during certain festivals in Barcelona. La Merce Festival is one such festival. The devils run up the streets with bangers and hand held fireworks. Lots of bangs and fire is the order of the day. Fire breathing dragons (or at least sparkler-breathing dragons) also roam the streets with Devils skipping along with spiralling fireworks held in their hands. The crowd receive a shower of sparkler flames at the Correfoc Barcelona La Merce festival The "adult" Correfoc takes place after the "junior" Correfoc. The main difference with the adult event is that the crowds are actually sprayed with flames from the sparklers - you can see this in the picture to the left and in the picture below. If you are of a nervous disposition then maybe you should consider standing well back from the Correfoc itself.
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Photo credit: © Ged Pujol / Alamy / Afripics
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