Music & Beeats

Thanks to a scholarship granted by the University of Cologne, I had the opportunity to live in Barcelona from September 2023 to April 2024. This Catalan city has a unique atmosphere and an exceptional geography. Surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountain range, Barcelona is very close to France, especially the Occitania region, and more than 16 hours by car from my home in Germany (yes, we made the trip by car for the comfort of our beloved cats). In addition, the shores of the Mediterranean bring life to this place. It is common to meet people from all over the world and hear different languages on the streets, as many immigrants have chosen this city as their new home. It is not hard to understand why, as Barcelona has so much to show. With a rich artistic and cultural scene, this city offers options for all tastes, at any time and corner. And we can’t forget its magnificent culinary scene.

Yes, Barcelona had its roots as Barcino, a name given by the Romans to this Mediterranean settlement. However, the history of this city dates back to prehistoric times, when it was already inhabited by a largely indigenous population, mainly Layetans. The Layetans were Iberian people who lived in the coastal region of the province of Barcelona, located between the Llobregat and Tordera rivers. They were part of the Iberian culture that flourished in the Iberian Peninsula before the arrival of the Romans.¹

The Romans intended to build a colony between Emporiae (Ampurias²), a Greek and Roman city where local and Mediterranean trade flourished, and Tarraco (Tarragona), the capital of the Roman province of Hispania Citerior or Hispania Tarraconensis. The archaeological site of Tarraco, which includes monuments from the 3rd century BC to the 6th century AD, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000.³

As one of those unexpected gifts that life gives you, after many years of having left Chile, I had the opportunity to live in Barcelona with my parents from September until November 2023. During those months, we explored the city intensely, visiting every museum available and exploring every nearby town or city we could. My parents even managed to make the best use of the time; while I was at the university during the day, they would wander the streets of the city until they reached one of its wonderful beaches. Despite being quite busy with work, during these first months, I experienced a deep sense of happiness and gratitude for being in a city where the sun shines every day and good food abounds on every corner. This may be a common thing for many, but it becomes a privilege for few in a continent as large and diverse as Europe.

During our stay in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, we were able to witness two important Catalan festivals: the Diada Nacional de Catalunya⁴ (National Day of Catalonia) celebrated on September 11th, and the Festes de la Mercè⁵ (feast of the Virgin of Mercy) on September 24th. The Diada is the official holiday of the autonomous community of Catalonia and, ironically, commemorates a defeat. In 1714 during the War of the Spanish Succession, Barcelona surrendered to the troops of the Duke of Berwick after 14 months of conflict. It is worth noting that the Duke of Berwick was the illegitimate son of James II of England and VII of Scotland, an interesting reference for those who read the post «Mo Ghille Mear» (My Gallant Hero/Darling) – An Irish Folk Song. The Bourbon conquest during the war led to the abolition of Catalan institutions after the promulgation of the Nueva Planta Decrees in 1716.

On the other hand, during the Mercè festival, the city’s patron saint is celebrated. Both celebrations involve street events, which means that everyone comes out to celebrate. It is common to find stages in different parts of the city with full programs for all kinds of audiences. Together with my parents, we were very surprised to see parades in the streets; sometimes we would even go out for dinner or take a walk at night and casually stumble upon a different parade. What impressed me most was the intergenerational nature of the processions, where children and adults would parade with their musical instruments and costumes specially designed for the occasion. All this while joyfully greeting those who approached to watch them. At times, we even wondered if the city lived in a constant loop of celebrations, as not only did we experience these two great festivities, but every weekend there were other events around the city, such as the gastronomic festivals of Fira Mercat de Mercats.

In short, this is just the first in a series of posts that will undoubtedly continue in the future, exploring the charms and secrets of this wonderful city. Barcelona, with its rich history, dazzling architecture, and vibrant culture, never ceases to amaze. It is a place where every corner breathes life and emotion. From its bustling and colorful streets to its majestic monuments, Barcelona is a destination that embraces all the senses and conquers the hearts of those who have the privilege of discovering it.

---