La Mercè
Barcelona’s week-long festa major with correfocs, gegants parades and human tower competitions.
La Mercè is Barcelona's annual festival honoring the city's patron saint, the Virgin of Mercy. It takes place from September 22 to 25, filling the streets with a vibrant mix of tradition and spectacle. The festival kicks off with a grand parade featuring gegants (giant figures) and capgrossos (big-headed figures) that represent various historical and mythical characters. These parades are a highlight, with participants dressed in elaborate costumes and accompanied by traditional music.
One of the most thrilling events is the correfocs, or 'fire runs,' where groups called colles de diables, dressed as devils, set off fireworks and create a spectacular display of fire and smoke. Another iconic tradition is the castellers, or human tower competitions, where teams of acrobats form impressive towers, showcasing their strength, balance, and coordination. Throughout the festival, the city comes alive with concerts, street performances, and fireworks displays, culminating in a massive fireworks show over the sea on the final night.
The pack has 36 words spread across these domains.
Same words in both. Beginner gets more help: matching and completing. Advanced listens and spells it out unaided. Pick it in practice; it locks when you take the scored run.
Practise as often as you like, all year. The scored run happens once, while the competition is open, and cannot be retaken.