The Sardana

The first time I visited Catalonia I was fascinated by the village festivals taking place around me. Giants, castellers and a huge foam fight all left me buzzing with excitement. I particularly remember watching the whole of the village in which I was staying join in with a mass dance that lasted about 20 minutes: the sardana, a dance typical to the region of Catalonia. It originates from the Empordà region, but spread throughout the rest of Catalonia in the 20th century. The dance consists of a circle of sardanistes (dancers) who hold hands and dance very small, precise steps to music. Often when the sardana is danced in town centres and squares, the circle grows; passers by often join in, leaving their bags in the centre of the circle. The dancers are alternate men and women, and sometimes the circle is only made up of couples. Music for the sardana is played by a cobla (a band made up of several wind instruments, a tambourine and a small drum) and is sometimes composed especially for the occasion. The sardana unites the Catalan people and is a symbol of their national pride and identity, as the dance was banned under the dictatorship of Franco, along with many other Catalan traditions. It is a very popular tradition which brings together people of all ages and walks of life.



Sarah