We know the words fiesta major, but we failed in trying to interpret what our neighbour was telling us in Spanish. It didn’t make sense, she spoke of a parade of giants, the “Gigantes de Palamós” and heart-shaped fireworks. It’s the first night of the Fiesta Major in Palamós, Spain, the town of our long-term home exchange.
However, my comprehension was better than I thought. The fiesta started with a parade of giants. Literally. The first few were human size but being that they were a chicken and a dog, they were giants for their species.
Fiesta Major Parade of Giants
After the chicken and the dog came the first two of the six giants. To be honest, we never really understood the ceremony, so I can only report what I saw. The parade of giants continued with larger than life cat and mouse. They appear to be both friends and dance partners, and possibly married to each other.
Next two more really tall figures in the parade of giants (not sure who they are), and finally the spirited and dancing king and queen. After they passed, the crowd joined into the parade and followed along the street to a makeshift stage at the end.
I think it was the medieval style music being played by the other parade participants that really made the evening so fun for me.
My Spanish isn’t that good, but the best I can understand is this a tradition that has been going on for many, many years.
Fiesta Major Ceremony
The parade of giants ended at a plaza near the beach. Here there we speakers welcoming everyone and a torch lighting ceremony.
Fiesta Major Carnival and Fireworks
Finally, we went to the carnival for a bit of fun. The festivities continue for four days ending with a massive fireworks display. The variety of fireworks and colours were impressive for a relatively small town, but, of course, they were nothing like seeing the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
However, the highlight for of fiesta Major’s fireworks was something I had never seen before: heart-shaped fireworks. Have you ever seen anything quite like these patterns in the sky:
Practical Information on Fiesta Major in Palamós
- Fiesta Major takes place annually in June to celebrate the first night of summer.
- The full event lasts for over a week.
- Activities are designed for the entire family and include concerts, castles, children’s entertainment, and bonfires of Sant Joan.
- For more information, check out: this website.
We did a long-term home exchange in Palamos. It’s a great way to live like a local, see the world, and have limited accommodation and vehicle expenses while we travel.
⇒ Find your own home exchange partners
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Have you ever seen a parade of giants or heart-shaped fireworks? What is your favourite annual festival?
Other places to visit in Southern Europe:
All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom 2012.
adnan
Really they are so amazing.Love them from my heart content.Thanks a lot for this awesome post.
Rhonda
Heart content, heart fireworks,
Cafe au lait
These are too cool! Have a great WW.
Tony Payne
Those are very cool.
We had fireworks here in Southampton last night as the whole P&O fleet (all 7 ships) sailed down Southampton Water to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the company.
The weather was like the day we walked around the old town together, worse if anything, with non-stop rain all day and night. The two Red Arrows displays were cancelled, but the fireworks went ahead despite the rain.
We just stayed at home in the dry rather than venturing out in the cold wet misery.
Rhonda
Ok, I am confused, how do you shoot off fireworks in the rain? It just seems like a complete waste. And 7 big, ugly cruise ships sailing down the water, not sure that is a celebration, but what do I know. I love to be on them, just don’t like what they do the skyline of the cities they visit. 🙂
Tina
very cool! ♥
Rhonda
Thanks Tina 🙂
NYCSingleMom
Hearts are the best. Happy 4th!
Rhonda
No 4th Celebrations here in Spain 🙂
Hope you have a great day.
Daddy Forever
Love the heart shape fireworks. I wonder how they did that.
Rhonda
I was wondering too, and it wasn’t just once, the did it over and over. Always red.
Teresa
I have never seen fireworks like that. So lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Rhonda
I hadn’t seen any like this before either, pretty cool.
jessica
it’s so magician when the make shapes like that out of fireworks!
Rhonda
They also had squiggles, but I couldn’t capture it on still frames and I had no video recorder.
Amelia
Wow- now those are some fabulous fireworks!!
Rhonda
Thanks Amelia, I was pleased with how my shots came out.
alissa apel
So much fun! I bet it was cool to see that happen in the sky.
Rhonda
It was, and the hearts happened over and over. It was amazing.
Create With Joy
Thanks for the early display of fireworks! Enjoy the 4th in Spain! 🙂
Rhonda
LOL, I don’t think there will be too much 4th of July celebration going on here 🙂
aquariann
I hadn’t see heart-shaped fireworks before, how charming!
Rhonda
They were so cool. I am just glad I had the camera out and could capture on of the hearts. I hand never seen the before either.
Leah H.
Cool fireworks, great shots!
Rhonda
Thanks Leah.
blogger broadcast
I haven’t seen many in a while. I will this year though.
Rhonda
I haven’t seen an official show in years, not since we left the states 10 years ago – except for once at Disneyland a few years ago.
Theresa
So very cool! I also love the heart shaped fireworks!
Rhonda
Thanks Theresa. I am off to see what you posted.
Paula J
I love fireworks!! It’s amazing how they can create shapes such as hearts!
Happy WW!
Paula
lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com
Rhonda
I know what you mean, I had never seen shapes before this show.
stevebethere
Loved them the heart one was very clever bet it was noisy 🙂
have a great time 😉
Rhonda
It was noisy, but we were at the beach enjoying it, so it wasn’t keeping me up. Although they didn’t start until 11.30pm. (Sun sets around 9.15)