Barcelona’s Barceloneta and Raval neighbourhoods marked the Cors Muts festival with street parades, music and long-standing local tradition. Around 20 troupes took part in the event, which celebrates the maritime and working-class history of these areas.
Participants carried wooden elements and instruments linked to that past. The festival is tied to the long weekend of the second Easter, and it remains a fixture in both neighbourhoods.
Over time, the tradition has changed. Historically, the troupes were made up entirely of men, but some groups now feature women only.
For many participants, Cors Muts is a family tradition passed down through generations. One troupe member said he had been taking part for 50 years, while another said he had been involved since childhood and described it as the most deeply rooted tradition in the neighbourhood.
The second parade is due to take place on Monday, 25 May, following the same route. The festival will continue late into the night with fire shows. For more local coverage, see our news page.