Mercè 2017 is bigger and reaching more districts in the city
Barcelona's Festa Major, which this year has two new venues, has presented the poster, the proclaimer, the programme and the guest city, Reykjavik.
Mercè 2017 is hotting up. The starting gun for the festival will take place on Friday 22 September with the proclaimer, who traditionally opens the celebrations. The festival will close on Monday 25 September with the Piromusical display.
This year, the Mercè is bigger and expanding into new neighbourhoods. Using the Parc de la Trinitat as a new festival venue was really successful last year and this year two new festival venues have been added: the Parc de Sant Martí, with a programme designed especially for children and their families, and Plaça Major in Nou Barris.
The festival poster was unveiled today: designer and illustrator Javier Mariscal has put his signature to the image for this year’s Mercè festivities, which celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the 1992 Olympics.
The name of the proclaimer was also revealed: Barcelona philosopher Marina Garcés will be in charge of announcing the proclamation in the Saló de Cent at Barcelona City Hall to open the festival.
The guest city for the Mercè 2017 is Reykjavik whose presence will leave a footprint throughout the festival programme. So, not only will Iceland’s capital city be on the Mercè Street Arts (MAC Festival) programme, but also in audiovisual, dance and firework creations. For example, in the Parc de la Ciutadella, framed by the Cascada fountain, audiences can enjoy Terra Forma, a show by Icelandic artist Ingvar Björn with original soundtrack by Sigtryggur Baldursson, which will transform it into a gigantic volcano. The Ciutadella will also host a dome where audiences can watch an immersive screening about Iceland, and, during the festival, the CCCB will also be staging a short cycle of Icelandic films.
The guest city will also leave its mark on BAM and Mercè Música. In specific terms, the BAM programme will include eight music proposals from Reykjavik: JFDR, Kiasmos, Samaris, Reykjavíkurdaetur, Emmsjé Gauti, Ólöf Arnalds, Glowie and Grísalappalísa. Thanks to the Mercè Música programme, audiences can enjoy Icelandic mezzosoprano Gudrún Ólafsdóttir, who will be performing accompanied by the OBC.
More information at this link and on the Mercè website.