On September 7h and 8h, a new edition of the “Festa de la Fil·loxera” will be held. An event closely linked to the world of viticulture that remembers how at the end of the 19th century we overcame the phylloxera plague in the municipality’s vineyards.
During these days, different figures from popular folklore parade down the street in a frenzy of dances and fire.
How is the party going?
On September 7h, the 30 small phylloxeras arrive in Sant Sadurní to “attack” the streets of the municipality. They are divided into two groups that walk through the streets until they meet the Phylloxera who will accompany them with a great final attack.
The Phylloxera is the central element of the festival and is the most popular and representative piece of Sant Sadurní. This is a figure of a giant reproduction of the insect.
On the night of September 8h, a parade of music and fire takes place to the church square. There, the figures of the farmers dance while the phylloxeras attack the vines (“els ceps”). These appear jumping with red fire, symbolizing the plague disease.
It is then that the seven wise men of Greece (“Set Savis de Grècia”) meet and dance until they find the solution to phylloxera. This moment represents the decision to replant the vineyards with American vines, which are immune to the pest.
Once healed, the vines appear again dancing with green fire to bring life back to the population.
At the end of the party and to celebrate the victory, cava is sprinkled while attendees dance to the rhythm of the music. Did you know that every year 4,500 firecrackers are lit and 150 bottles of cava are uncorked?
If you want to attend the party, check out all the activities on this year’s program by clicking here.
Images of the article taken from festadelafiloxera.cat
