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Antoni and Meritxell Falgueras, from the century-old Celler de Gelida, are the pregoners (festival announcers) of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The Lleó de Barcelona, one of the most solemn and ancient figures of the city’s Seguici Popular, dances during the Toc d’Inici of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The Ball de Diables sets the night ablaze during the Toc d’Inici, filling the streets with fire, sparks and tradition. © Àngel Bravo
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The Àliga dances solemnly during the Toc d’Inici. © Àngel Bravo
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The Drac de Ciutat Vella, one of the most emblematic figures of Barcelona’s festive bestiary, dances during the Toc d’Inici of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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Barcelona mayor Jaume Collboni officially kicks off the La Mercè festivities during the opening address, marking the start of the celebrations. © Àngel Bravo
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Fireworks light up the Barcelona sky after the Toc d’Inici of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The 'Moltes Mercès' exhibition looks back at the history of the festivities through their posters, offering a visual journey through the identity and evolution of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The anxaneta of Castellers de Poble Sec crowns the sky during the Diada Castellera. © Àngel Bravo
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Sant Jaume Square fills to capacity during the Diada Castellera. © Àngel Bravo
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The Colla Jove de Barcelona enters the square in a pillar formation. © Àngel Bravo
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The moment when the pinya begins to form to raise the human tower. © Àngel Bravo
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A moment of emotion among the Castellers de Sants during the Diada Castellera. © Àngel Bravo
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Sant Jaume Square is packed with people during the Diada Castellera, as several colles build human towers. © Àngel Bravo
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Barcelona’s human towers (castells) debut the new helmet and face protector for the youngest participants
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Falcons de Barcelona, the city’s only falconers’ group, build their human figures during the La Mercè festivities. © Àngel Bravo
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The anxaneta of the Colla Jove de Barcelona crowns the castell, with the City Hall balcony, adorned with the city’s coat of arms, in the background. © Àngel Bravo
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The other side of the Diada Castellera: thousands of people capture the human towers on their phones in Sant Jaume Square. © Àngel Bravo
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Sant Jaume Square, packed with people, hosts the Diada Castellera amid the festive atmosphere of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The Colla Jove de Barcelona builds its castell during the Diada Castellera. © Àngel Bravo
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The Passada de Nans i Gegants fills the streets of Barcelona with tradition and celebration during La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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Pepitu el Campanar, one of the figures of Barcelona’s festive tradition, during the Passada de Nans i Gegants of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The Gegants parade through the streets of Barcelona during the Cavalcada de La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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With his phone in hand, a spectator records the Nans i Gegants as they make their way through the streets of Barcelona during La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The Gegants del Pi dance their way into Sant Jaume Square. © Àngel Bravo
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The Gegants arrive at Sant Jaume Square, amid music, dancing and a festive atmosphere. © Àngel Bravo
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The Gegants dance in front of Barcelona City Hall. © Àngel Bravo
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Children play in Estació del Nord Park during the La Mercè festivities. © Àngel Bravo
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One of La Mercè’s shows fills Estació del Nord with light and movement during Barcelona’s festivities. © Àngel Bravo
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Children play at sunset as the sky fills with warm hues. © Àngel Bravo
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Shanghai, guest city of La Mercè 2026, is present at several events across Barcelona’s festivities, bringing its culture and traditions into the spotlight. © Àngel Bravo
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A choreography of 750 drones lights up the sky above the beach during the La Mercè festivities. © Àngel Bravo
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The red thread connecting Barcelona and Shanghai has been the central theme of the show, tracing a link between the two cities across the sky of La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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Barcelona’s iconic panot traced across the sky by 750 drones during the La Mercè show. © Àngel Bravo
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La Fura dels Baus brings its theatrical universe to La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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Movement, light and theatrical energy come together in La Fura dels Baus’ performance during La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo
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The performers’ bodies move among structures and lights during La Fura dels Baus’ show. © Àngel Bravo
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The lights and projections by Eyesberg Studio surround the performers and transform the space during the performance. © Àngel Bravo
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La Fura dels Baus transforms the space into a vast stage during its performance at La Mercè. © Àngel Bravo