Discover the Gypsy Dances of Catalonia

The Gitanes Dances are a rich cultural tradition celebrated in Catalonia representing a unique form of animated artistic expression. Dating back centuries, this traditional practice combines music, dance and costume to create a spectacle rich in color and cultural significance.

The Gypsy Dances have a prominent presence during the Carnivals, captivating the attention of spectators with their contagious energy and fascinating aesthetics.

The Ball de Gitanes represents a common processional practice in the festivities of Catalunya Nova, remaining especially alive in Penedès. With pagan roots, a group of men and women dance around a stick with ribbons, recreating an ancient rite associated with flowering and celebrating the renewal of life in May, after winter. This dance also involves the recitation of verses with a satirical tone.

Its first documented record dates back to 1577 in Tarragona and, since then, it has lasted throughout the centuries in various towns in New Catalonia, reaching the present day.

Although in the past the verses addressed topics of supposedly gypsy life, such as street vending, currently, in Sitges, they focus on current issues such as politics, the economy and society, as is done in many towns.

Throughout the 19th century, this dance progressively disappeared throughout the territory, being practically non-existent in the 20th century, except for the three towns of Penedès ( Vilafranca del Penedès, Vilanova i la Geltrú and Sitges ) and some others where it occasionally appears. not significant.

With the restoration of democracy and the resurgence of popular culture, this dance has been recovered or incorporated into many populations, reaching a total of 47 groups in Catalonia according to data from the Inventari de Danses Vives de Catalunya dels Dansaires Catalans.

Discover them!