13-29 September 2024. Programme of events, Santa Tecla, Sitges 2024, the “small” Fiesta Mayor of Sitges
Santa Tecla is the “small” Fiesta Mayor infused with more of a local flavour, as 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 papier mâché giants, “big-heads”, dragons and eagles made and paraded by the children. Fire goes mainstage in the old quarter of Sitges, with the celebration of the “Nit de Foc” held the weekend before, with fireworks, crackers and fire beasts.
LINK TO SANTA TECLA SITGES PHOTO GALLERY 2024
Santa Tecla Sitges 2024 Schedule
13-29 September 2024. Programme of events, Santa Tecla, Sitges 2024
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
18:00h Opening of the exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: 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.
Nit de les Pubilles i els Hereus
Place and time to be determined
Organized by: Foment de Turisme.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
1:00h Trobada de gegants, cabeçuts i dracs petits (gathering of papier mâché giants and bigheads, dragons and eagles that have been made by the children)
Location: Hort de Can Falç
Young children participate in the festivities with their endearing creations.
13:00h Opening exhibition of the 12th Festa Major instagram photo competition
Location: La Gralla (caller Major 33)
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges
NIT DE FOC (Night of Fire)
19:30h TIMBALADA
Featuring the drumming of groups participating in the “Nit de Foc” (Night of Fire)
Route: Fragata, passeig de la Ribera, carrer Sant Pau, Cap de la Vila, carrer 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, carrer Sant Joan, carrer Davallada, carrer Barcelona, carrer Aigua, carrer Sant Domenech, carrer Major and Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
21:30h CORREFOC
Correfoc with the three groups of the Ball de Diables de Sitges, accompanied by Diables de les Corts, Ball de Diables de Torredembarra, Diables Aristois, Àliga de Sitges, Drac de Ribes, and Dragona de les Roquetes.
Route: Plaça Dr. Robert, Av. Balmins, carrer Port Alegre, carrer Fonollar and Baluard where a final joint lighting of fireworks will take place.
23:00h NIT DE FOC CONCERTS
Location: La Fragata
Concert by the groups: ANGANGAS and PASCUAL I ELS DESNATATS
Organized by: La Saca – Sitgetana de Cultura i Animació.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
10:00h Concentración de gigantes, cabezudos y bailes infantiles (Gathering of paper maché giants, bigheads and dances, made and performed by children)
Location: Plaça de l’Ajuntament. After the gathering, the giants and bigheads parade along the streets and end with a group dance.
Route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, carrer Major, Cap de la Vila, carrer Parellades, carrer Sant Pau, Passeig de la Ribera and Fragata.
11:00h Performance of children’s white dances (Popular dances that are not fire-related)
Location: La Fragata,
Performance of children’s white dances: Bastons, Panderetes, Pastorets, Cercolets, Cintas, Gitanas, Moixiganga and the children of the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
17:30h Gathering and parade of “dracs” and groups of young “diables”
Location: Pont d’en Domènech
Parade of “dracs” (papier mâché 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” (Recital of satirical verses about life in Sitges by the children of various demon groups)
The recital will take place after the firework display held at La Fragata
Order of groups: Colla Jove de Diables, Diables de la Agrupación de Bailes Populares de Sitges and Colla Vella de Diables.
This will be followed by a special ignition to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Groups of Devils of Sitges.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
20:30h Concierto de grallas y Gitanes d’Antes
Location: 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.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
20:30h Parade of the Image of Santa Tecla
Location: Parish church of Sant Bartomeu y Santa Tecla
The Municipal Commission of the Festa Major of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla, representing the municipal authorities, will receive the icon of Santa Tecla from parish vicar Mn. Rafael Vilaplana. Then, accompanied by the Cobla Maricel, it will be transferred to Carrer Jesús number 6, the location designated by the Pendonista, Rosa Hernández.
Route: Parish church, Baluard, carrer Fonollar, carrer Vidal i Quadres, carrer Barcelona, carrer Santiago Rusiñol, carrer Jesús.
Once the image arrives, PRAYER OF THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF THE IMAGE OF SANTA TECLA
21:00h Special Castells rehearsal of Santa Tecla (Human Towers)
Location: 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.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Exhibition of Santa Tecla’s Flag
Location: Parish church
Open during liturgical celebrations
10:00h – 13:30h and 17:00h – 21:00h Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
Location: Carrer Jesús, 6
Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla at Carrer Jesús number 6.
17:00h Reading of the children’s Proclamation of Santa Tecla
Location: Palau del Rei Moro
Children’s proclamation of Santa Tecla by Ariadna Coll Carbonell and Gina Pérez Paretas. Followed by hot chocolate with sponge fingers for all children.
Afterwards the dressing up of the the Gegants Moros (papier mâché Moorish giants)
Organized by: Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges.
17:00h Festa Major Concert – Postponed due to rain, awaiting a new date.
Location: Gardens of the Hospital Sant Joan Baptista
Festa Major concert by the Agrupació Musical Suburband.
17:30h-20:30h Exhibition “Del garatge al carrer”
Location: Mercat Vell
Exhibition of the festive imagery of the Santa Tecla children’s “Matinal”.
18:30h Holy Party – Postponed due to rain, awaiting a new date.
Location: Plaça Catalunya
Organized by: Regidoria d’Infància i Joventut in collaboration with the Festa Major and Santa Tecla Commission.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22: THE EVE
Exhibition of Santa Tecla’s Flag
Location: Parish church
Open during liturgical celebrations
11h Exhibition of the image of Santa Tecla
Location: Calle Jesús, 6.
The image of Santa Tecla will be on display from 11am until the start of the afternoon procession.
14:00h 21 Muskets are fired, and the Parish Church Bells are rung
Location: La Fragata
By the former and current bearers of the Montornés Giants, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
19:00h Civic Procession – Following the tabernacle of Santa Tecla
Departure from Jesús Street, 6
The dances, grallers and the Band will gather at Carrer Jesús, 6, from where they will collect the Tabernacle of Santa Tecla and parade to the Parish Church.
Route: Carrer Jesús 6, Cap de la Vila, Carrer Sant Francesc, Carrer Sant Gaudenci, Carrer Sant Isidre (quiet section of the parade), Carrer Francesc Gumà, Carrer Jesús, Carrer Santiago Rusiñol, Carrer Sant Damià, Carrer Rafel Llopart, Carrer Port Alegre, Carrer Davallada, Plaça de l’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
Location: From la Punta (Parish Church), La Fragata and the breakwaters
By Pirotècnia Igual S.A.
00:00h Verbena Sardanista (Sardanas Eve)
Location: Cap de la Vila. From midnight onwards.
With the participation of the Cobla Sitgetana band.
00:00h Santa Tecla Concerts
Location: Passeig de la Ribera. From midnight onwards.
Organized by: Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – FESTIVITY OF SANTA TECLA, Protomartyr and 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)
Location: 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 and Diables Agrupació de Balls Populars.
Route: Carrer Davallada, carrer Barcelona, carrer Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, carrer Parellades, carrer Sant Josep, carrer Espalter, Plaça del Pou Vedre, carrer Bassa Rodona, carrer Santa Tecla, carrer Primer de Maig, passeig de la Ribera (sea side) and Fragata
7:00h GRAND MATINAL – GIANTS AND WHITE DANCES (Early morning route for the children’s parade of popular dances – without fire – and giants made by children)
Route: Carrer Fonollar, carrer Baluard, Baluard Vidal i Quadras, carrer Port de n’Alegre, carrer Rafel Llopart, carrer Sant Damià, carrer Sant Sebastià, carrer Jesús, carrer Sant Bartomeu, carrer Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, carrer Parellades, carrer Sant Pere, passeig de la Ribera (mountain side) and Fragata.
8:00h MATINAL PEQUEÑA (Parade of the youngest children participating in the “Matinal”)
Location: Starting from Plaça de l’Ajuntament
Route: Plaça de l’Ajuntament, carrer d’en Bosch, carrer Davallada, carrer Barcelona, carrer Àngel Vidal, Cap de la Vila, carrer Parellades, carrer Major, carrer Nou, Paseo de la Ribera until la Fragata.
11:00h Solemn Mass in honour of Santa Tecla
Location: Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
Presided over by Monsignor Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, rector of the Parish. During the offertory the Montornés giants, who celebrate their 50th anniversary, will make the offering on behalf of the entire town to our patron saint. At the end of the celebration, praises will be sung by the choir of the Amics de l’Orgue.
Exit from Mass
After the celebration of mass, there will be a short procession from Baluard to the Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
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
Location: Plaça de l’Ajuntament.
Following the exit from mass, “castells” (human towers) will be performed by the Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges.
13:00h Concert-vermouth of Santa Tecla
Following the exit from mass:
There are 2 locations:
CASINO PRADO: With music by Cobla Maricel.
SOCIETAT RECREATIVA EL RETIRO: With music by Banda Agrupación Musical Suburband.
18:00h Bajada del Pilar de la Jove de Sitges (a human tower walks down the stairs of La Punta)
Location: Starting from el Baluard.
The Colla Jove de Castellers the Sitges will build a human tower at el Baluard in front of the parish church and carefully descend the stairs from the parish church to La Fragata.
19h Procession in honour of Santa Tecla
Location: starting from el 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.
The religious procession will be fronted by the parish banner carried by the Corps of Bearers of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla. The giants, beasts, and dances, with their musicians, will open the procession, presided over by the Parish Rector, Monsignor Rafael Vilaplana Moltó, and the Honorable Town Council, closing with the Agrupació Musical Suburband Band del Retiro. Rosa Hernández has been designated as the Banner Bearer of the Santa Tecla Banner, who has appointed Marta Gangonells i Hernández, Rosa Gangonells i Hernández, and Joan Gangonells i Hernández as Cord Bearers.
Route: Baluard, carrer Fonollar, carrer Sant Joan, carrer Davallada, carrer Barcelona, carrer Santiago Rusiñol, carrer Jesús, carrer Sant Bartomeu, carrer Sant Gaudenci, carrer Sant Francesc, Cap de la Vila, carrer Parellades, carrer Bonaire, passeig de la Ribera, carrer Nou, carrer Major, Plaça de l’Ajuntament and Baluard.
As the religious procession advances along the paseig 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” (Fire beasts – dragon and eagle) and Gegants (giants)
With the Saint restored to the parish church, the papier-mâché giants, dragons and eagle, dance their farewell at Plaça de l’Ajuntament
23:00h Santa Tecla Concerts
Location: Paseo de la Ribera
Concert with BANDA NEON and DJ PHILANTROPIC.
Organized by: Comissió Municipal de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
10h-19h Open doors at the Museums
- 10h-19h Open Day at the Cau Ferrat Museum and Maricel Museum
- 10h-14h Sala Vaixells, Palau Maricel. Exhibition “La figura enmarcada”. Works from the Casacuberta Marsans Collection.
Organized by: Museos de Sitges.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
18:00h Santa Tecla Castells Exhibition (human towers)
Location: La Fragata
Performed by: La Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, los Xicots de Vilafranca and los Bordegassos de Vilanova.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
18:00h 34th National Contest of Colles Sardanistes – Vila de Sitges Trophy
Location: Fragata
The following contests will take place: The 34th National Contest of Sardana groups, Catalunya’s youth and Barcelona’s territorial competition with music performed by Cobla Maricel.
Organized by: Els Amics de la Sardana.
18:00h Santa Tecla organ concert
Loction: Parish Church of Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla
By Daniel Parache (Barcelona)
Entry: voluntary contribution
