Friday 16 November 2012

Santa Cecilia – Patron Saint of Musicians – Arrives in Penedès with Concerts

November 18 the Catholic world celebrates Santa Cecilia and since she is the patron saint of musicians that will set the tone – xist! ;) – for the whole weekend, November 16-18. Find here full events calendars in English: Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès and Anoia.

The most vivid Santa Cecilia traditions can be found in Igualada (Anoia) and are centered around a so called missa cantata – a full religious mass sung by the choirs of the town. There will also be concerts in El Vendrell (Baix Penedès), Sitges (Garraf), Vilafranca del Penedès (Alt Penedès) but the town which I think deserve a special mention is Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf), where the local chamber orchestra Camerata Eduard Toldrà presents its first concerts under its new name.

Cava and wine tourists can look forward to a winery tour with a tasting in Sant Pere de Ribes (Garraf), but might also be interested in sampling freshly pressed olive oil at the festival in Piera (Anoia).

Visitors who focus on shopping – and above all outlet bargains – should go to Igualada and take a stroll among the pop-up stores of Rec.06.

Those interested in Catalan culture will be sad to hear that from now, and up to about the April Sant Jordi celebrations next year, we will not see many human towers (castells) neither in Penedès, nor in the rest of Catalonia. However, in Vilafranca del Penedès as well as in Vilanova i la Geltrú you will be able to see the national dance, la Sardana.

If you want to experience the feelings which sports can provoke among the fans, then there is a roller hockey Penedès derby in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Alt Penedès).

And, finally, if you need to find activities for your children, you can chose between an interesting historical workshop in El Vendrell, a magic performance in La Gornal (Castellet i la Gornal, Alt Penedès) or story telling in English in Cunit (Baix Penedès).

Our beaches are almost empty, the wine harvest season is just about to end, but as you see: Penedès has a lot to offer!

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