14-25 September 2023. Programme of events, Santa Tecla, Sitges 2023, the “small” Fiesta Mayor of Sitges 2023
Santa Tecla is the “small” Fiesta Mayor, infused with more of a local flavour since by September many visitors are already back home. Children take the leading role during the Santa Tecla festivities, featuring the “Matinal” with exhibitions of popular dances as well as paper maché giants, “big-heads”, dragons and eagles made and paraded by the children. Fire goes mainstage with the celebration of the “Nit de Foc” held the weekend before, with fireworks, crackers and fire beasts in the old town quarter of Sitges.
LINK TO SANTA TECLA SITGES PHOTO GALLERY 2023
Santa Tecla Sitges 2023 Shedule
14-25 September 2023. Programme of events, Santa Tecla, Sitges 2023
FRIDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER
18:00h Opening of the exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Opening of the exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
Organized by: Comisión de Fiesta Mayor y Santa Tecla.
19:00h Opening of the exhibition “La Festa Major exposada en miniatura”
Fundació Ave Maria
Opening of the exhibition “La Festa Major exposada en miniatura” by the Pros Family with the collaboration of Taller Fantasia.
The exhibition can be visited from 15/09 to 30/09 in the mornings from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and in the afternoons from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Nit de les Pubilles i els Hereus
Place and time to be determined
Organized by: Foment de Turisme.
SATURDAY, 16th SEPTEMBER
Exhibition of Santa Tecla’s Flag
During the hours of Parish celebrations
11:00h Trobada de gegants, cabeçuts i dracs petits (gathering of paper maché giants and bigheads, dragons and eagles – made by the children)
Hort de Can Falç
Young children participate in the festivities with their endearing creations.
13:00h Opening exhibition of the 11th Festa Major instagram photo competition
Biblioteca Santiago Rusiñol
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges with the collaboration of the Santiago Rusiñol Library.
NIT DE FOC (Night of Fire)
19:30h TIMBALADA
Featuring drums of groups participating in the “Nit de Foc” (Night of Fire)
Route: Fragata, passeig de la Ribera, Sant Pau, Cap de la Vila, Major y plaça de l’Ajuntament.
20:30h ESPETEGAFOC
Overwhelming fire show through the streets of the town.
Route: Baluard, Mirador Miquel Utrillo, Racó de la Calma, Sant Joan, Davallada, Barcelona, Aigua, Sant Domenech, Major y Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
21:30h CORREFOC
Route: Plaça Dr. Robert, Av. Balmins, Port Alegre, Fonollar y Baluard donde tendrá lugar un encendido final conjunto.
23:00h NIT DE FOC CONCERTS
La Fragata
Concert with the groups: Miquel del Roig, Pelukass and La Mercabanda.
Organized by: La Saca – Sitgetana de Cultura i Animació.
SUNDAY, 17th SEPTEMBER
Exhibition of Santa Tecla’s Flag
During the hours of Parish celebrations
10:00h Concentración de gigantes, cabezudos y bailes infantiles (paper maché giants and bigheads made by children)
From Plaza Ayuntamiento. After the gathering, the giants and bigheads parade along the streets and end with a dance all together.
Route: plaça de l’Ajuntament, Major, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pau, passeig de la Ribera y Fragata.
11:00h Exhibition of children’s white dances (Popular dances that are not giants, bigheaded, or fire-related)
At La Fragata, once the parade is over, giants and bigheaded will do a joint final dance, followed by the exhibition of children’s white dances: Bastons, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cercolets, Cintas, Gitanas, Moixiganta and the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges’ children.
17:30h Gathering and parade of “dracs” and groups of young “diables”
Pont d’en Domènech
arade of “dracs” (paper maché dragons) made by children and young children dressed as “diables” (demons). The parade will end with a final firework display.
Route: Passeig de la Ribera hasta la Fragata.
Next:
“Ball parlat dels diables infantils” (the recitation of satirical verses by the various demon children groups about life in Sitges)
The recitation will take place after the firework display held at La Fragata
Order of groups: Colla Vella de Diables, Colla Jove de Diables, y Diables de l’Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
MONDAY, 18th SEPTEMBER
De 18h a 21 h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
TUESDAY, 19th SEPTEMBER
17:00h Fiesta infantil (children’s party) and Vestim a los Gegants Moros (let’s dress Gegants Moros)
Palau del Rei Moro
Children’s activity, reading of the story “Endinsa’t en una aventura Sitgetana” by Laura Estivill and chocolate with “melindros” for everyone!
Finally, we dress up the Gegants Moros.
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
De 18h a 21 h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
20:00h Concert of “gralles” and “Les Gitanes d’Antes”
Hort de Can Falç
Concert of grallas (traditional Catalonian wind instruments) and leaps and pirouettes by Les Gitanes d’Antes (satire)
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
WEDNESDAY, 20th SEPTEMBER
De 18h a 21 h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
20:30h Parade of the Image of Santa Tecla
Parroquia de Sant Bartomeu y Santa Tecla
The Municipal Commission of the Festa Major de Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, will receive the icon of Santa Tecla from parish vicar Josep Pausas, then, with the accompaniment of Cobla Maricel will parade it to the street En Bosch, to the headquarters of Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges, address chosen by Pendonist, Carmen Escolano Ávila.
Route: Baluard, Fonollar, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Davallada and c/ d’en Bosch.
Once the image arrives, PRAYER OF THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA
THURSDAY 21st SEPTEMBER
10h-13:30h and 17h-21h Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
Palau del Rei Moro
Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla in Carrer d’En Bosch, at the headquarters of the Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
De 18h a 21 h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
21:00h Special rehearsal (CASTELLS) of Santa Tecla
Palau del Rei Moro
Special Santa Tecla rehearsal by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges (Human Towers) followed by a light refreshment.
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
FRIDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER- LA VIGÍLIA (La Víspera)
10h-19h Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
Palau del Rei Moro
From 10.00h to till the evening Procession commences at the street En Bosch, at the headquarters of the Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
14:00h 21 Muskets are fired and the Parish Church Bells are rung
La Fragata beach
By the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary this year.
19:00h Civic Procession – Following the tabernacle of Santa Tecla
Departure from Carrer D’en Bosch
The dances, grallers and the Band will gather in Carrer d’en Bosch at the headquarters of the Agrupació de Balls Popular de Sitges, from where they will pick up the Tabernacle of Santa Tecla and head it to the Parish Church.
Route: C/ D’en Bosch, Davallada, Port Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Ànimes, Hort Gran, Francesc Gumà, Sant Isidre, Sant Gaudenci, Sant Francesc, Espalter, Plaça Pou Vedre, Bassa Rodona, Sta. Tecla, Primer de Maig, Passeig de la Ribera, Nou, Major, Ajuntament and Baluard.
The popular dances will receive the image of Santa Tecla and accompanied by authorities, the “Pendonista” and “Cordonistes”, will return it to the parish church, where it will be placed in the presbytery to preside over the liturgies of the festival.
23:00h Fireworks
From la Punta (Parish Church), La Fragata and the breakwaters
By Pirotècnia Igual S.A.
00:00h Verbena Sardanista (Sardanas Eve)
At Cap de la Vila. From midnight onwards.
With the participation of the Cobla Sitgetana band.
00:00h Santa Tecla’s Concerts
From midnight onwards at Paseo de la Ribera
Concert with the local groups: Roka Curtiada, SR. Fong and DJ GWARE.
Organized by: Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
SATURDAY, 23rd SEPTEMBER – SANTA TECLA’a Festival Diada Santa Tecla, protomartyr, Patron Saint of Sitges
JOYFUL AND FESTIVE CHILDREN’S “MATINAL” PARADE
With the participation of children from Sitges, who will perform the popular dances. There are 3 routes and breakfast will be offered to the parading children when the route ends.
6:30h MATINAL FOC (Parade for child demons and dragons)
Departing from Plaça de l’Ajuntament
Infant beasts will alternate among the groups of devils that will participate in the following order: Colla Vella de Diables, Colla Jove de Diables y Diables Agrupació de Balls Populars.
Route: Davallada, Barcelona, Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Josep, Espalter, plaça del Pou Vedre, Bassa Rodona, Santa Tecla, Primer de Maig, passeig de la Ribera (sea side) and Fragata
7:00h MATINAL GRAND – GIANTS AND WHITE DANCES (Early morning route for the children’s parade of popular dances (without fire) and giants made by children)
Route: Fonollar, Baluard, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, Port de n’Alegre, Rafel Llopart, Sant Damià, Sant Sebastià, Jesús, Sant Bartomeu, Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, Parellades, Sant Pere, passeig de la Ribera (mountain side) and Fragata.
8:00h MATINAL PEQUEÑA (Parade of the youngest children participating in the “Matinal”)
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.
11:00h Solemn Mass in honour Santa Tecla
Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
Presided over by Father Josep Pausas, parish rector. This year at the offertory all the Ex-Pendonistas of Santa Tecla will make an offering, on behalf of the whole town, to our patron saint. At the end of the celebration, singing of and Goigs (praises) will be sung by the Cor dels Amics de l’Orgue.
Exit from Mass
After the celebration of mass, short procession from the Baluard to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Parade with Cobla Maricel and Suburband del Retiro to accompany the authorities to the Town Hall. There all the popular dances will be performed at once and will come together in one of the most magical moments of the festivities.
After the performance of the popular dances, the band will perform “Els Segadors”, the national hymn of Catalonia.
13:00h Castells Exhibition
Plaza del Ayuntamiento
Following the “Exit from Mass”, “castells” (human towers) performed by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
13:00h Concert-vermouth of Santa Tecla
After the “Exit from Mass”
CASINO PRADO: with Banda Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro.
SOCIETAT RECREATIVA EL RETIRO: with la Cobla Maricel
18:00h Bajada del Pilar de la Jove de Sitges (a human tower walks down the stairs of La Punta)
From the stairs of “La Punta”, the Colla Jove de Castellers the Sitges will perform a human tower walking down the stairs.
19h Procession in honor of Santa Tecla
From Baluard
From the Baluard the tabernacle of Santa Tecla will parade through the streets and squares of the town, carried by the Pubilles and Hereus of the neighborhoods and Sitgetan entities.
Abrirá el cortejo religioso, el estandarte parroquial llevado por el Cuerpo de costaleros de San Bartomeu i Santa Tecla. Los gigantes, el bestiario y los bailes, con sus músicos, abrirán la procesión, que presidirá el Señor Rector de la Parroquia Mn. Josep Pausas Mas y el Ilustrísimo Ayuntamiento, cerrando filas la Banda Agrupació Musical Suburband del Retiro.
Se ha designado como Pendonista del Pendón de Santa Tecla a la señora Carmen Escolano Ávila quien ha nombrado como cordonistas a las señoras Rosa Escolano Ávila y Concepción Escolano Ávila.
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 religious procession advances along the Paseo de la Ribera, it 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 procession arrives at the Baluard square in front of the parish church, dancers and musicians will surround the image of the Saint, church bells shall be rung and fireworks and firecrackers will be lit in the last homage to the Patron Saint. Inside the church, closing prayer “Us he mirat Santa Tecla”.
Last dance of the “Bèsties de foc” (Drac and Àliga) and Gegants (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
23:00h Santa Tecla’s Concerts
Paseo de la Ribera
Concert with the group Waikiki, DJ Jordi Sebastian and Dj Arzzett.
Organized by: Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla.
SUNDAY, 24th SEPTEMBER
10h-19h Open doors at the Museums
Open day at the Cau Ferrat Museum and Maricel Museum from 10am to 7pm.
Open day at the Fundació Stämpfli from 10am to 2pm (guided tour in Catalan at 11am and in Spanish at 12pm).
Organized by the Educational Department of the Sitges Museums.
18:00h 33rd National Contest of Colles Sardanistes Trofeu ‘Vila de Sitges’
Plaza de la Fragata
The 33rd National Contest of Sardan groups, Catalunya’s youth and Territorial comarcas Barcelonines competition with Cobla Maricel.
Organized by: Els Amics de la Sardana.
18:00h Santa Tecla organ concert
Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
By Jonatan Carbó (Vilafranca)
Entry: voluntary contribution.
19:00h Holi Party
Can Robert
Organized by: Sitges Department of Children and Youth in collaboration with Comissió de Festa Major i Sant Tecla.
17:30h Castells exhibition of Santa Tecla (17:00h Carrer Sant Francesc)
Cap de la Vila
Performed by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, los Xicots de Vilafranca and Castellers de Mediona.
Organized by: Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges
