Falles tradition arrives in Terrassa for Emili Miró Day
On 12 September, Terrassa will host a special cultural event bringing together two UNESCO-recognised Catalan traditions: castells and falles. The Castellers de Terrassa and the Association of Fallaires del Pont de Suert are collaborating for the XXXII Diada Emili Miró, recreating the 'baixada del foc' (descent of fire) through the city centre. This symbolic act honours both Emili Miró, a founding figure of the Castellers de Terrassa known as 'Avi Emili', and Mario Pena, the late president of the colla who championed ties between the two groups. The day marks a cultural twin-linking of popular traditions from different regions of Catalonia.
Art, fire and community celebration
The festivities begin at 19.30 at Plaça Didó with the unveiling of a mural by local artist Edmundo Garcia. The artwork, supported by the Ajuntament de Terrassa, visually unites the imagery of castells and the falles descent, paying tribute to Mario Pena. At 21.15, the Faro (beacon) will be lit at the churches of Sant Pere, marking the start of the falles procession. The torch-lit route travels through the streets to Plaça Vella, where the comitiva will be received at 22.00.
This initiative serves to brother two traditions of Catalan popular culture recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Casteller events across the weekend
Earlier on Saturday morning, the Castellers de Terrassa will perform at Llar Sant Llàtzer residential home, continuing their tradition of bringing castells to older residents. The following day, Sunday 13 September, the Raval de Montserrat becomes the stage for the main casteller gathering. There, the Castellers de Terrassa will share the space with visiting groups including Castellers de Castelldefels, Castellers de Berga and Colla Castellera Jove de Barcelona. This event is part of the annual homage to Emili Miró, a key 20th-century figure in the casteller movement, historian and promoter of collaboration among colles. Residents and visitors can attend all events free of charge. Further details about the Diada Emili Miró and related activities are available via Diari de Terrassa and ConnecTerrassa.
Reported by diarideterrassa.com, monterrassa.cat, terrassadigital.cat, castellersdeberga.cat, ConnecTerrassa, elpuntavui.cat, ara.cat, sibhilla.uab.cat, ebs.uab.cat, arxiumunicipal.terrassa.cat, Diari de Terrassa.
