Lleida information
Festivities
Carnival
The carnival of Lleida, which dates back to the 16th century,
was not recovered until 1984 but it has taken deep root and many
city associations or, even people from the surrounding villages,
look forward to taking part in the Rua on their floats and each
"comparsa" tries to outdo the other in terms of brightness and
colour.
Among the planned activities for these days, the Ball del Vermut
also stands out. Plays and some other performances complete a
very attractive programme that will end with the Sardine's Burial
on Ash Wednesday.
Autumn Local Festival
The city holds its autumn local festival together with Saint Michael's Day (29th September) and the National Agricultural Machinery trade fair that owes its name to the saint.
With an essentially cultural character the Autumn Festival programme
features different popular events that, under the name of Festes
de Tardor, and for four days, offer artistic performances (theatre,
"zarzuela" -Spanish musical comedies-, circus...), folklore (sardanas,
"ball de bastons" -traditional Catalan dances -, habaneras and
a dance festival). But the most attractive event is the Gran Nit
de Bestiari i Foc, a large parade with the best Catalan fire-beasts
headed by Lo Marraco and groups of devils displaying fireworks
and "correfocs".
Saint James's candle-lit lights
The pilgrimage of Saint James is another of the most popular summer
celebrations. On 24th July, the boys and girls of the city assemble
in Esglèsia del Carme in order to make a pilgrimage to the cathedral,
holding a candle-lit light. This is the way to remember the legend
that refers to the moment when apostle Santiago came to Lleida
to preach the Gospel and when he was at Major Street and Cavallers
Street crossroads, he pricked one of his feet with a thorn. It
was dark and he could not see well enough to take out the painful
thorn. It was then when an angel came down from heaven, lit him
with a candle-lit light and solved the problem. At this site,
Capella del Peu del Romeu was built and, inside of it, there is
a sculpture that represents this scene.
Raimat's grape harvest festival
At the end of the summer and beginning of autumn, there are many
popular events again. At 11st and 12nd September, the Festa de
la Varema is held in Raïmat, about 15 km from the city-centre.
Some events are organised next to the well-known winery of Raïmat.
Among them the highlights are the tread on grapes, the possibility
of tasting the first grape juice and a performance that explains
the legend about a plague of rabbits that there was in those fields
and the introduction of some snakes in order to put an end to
it.