Lleida will host the closing event of the Roda d’Esbarts Catalònia on 6 June, bringing together more than 100 children and young dancers from across Catalonia. The event will take place at 6pm in Plaça Sant Joan and will focus on traditional Catalan dance.
The main performance will feature several esbarts, the traditional dance groups, performing together with a live cobla, the traditional music ensemble. The gathering is scheduled to last about an hour and a half and will show different Catalan dances performed at the same time by the participating groups.
Esbart Arrels de Lleida is organising the event with support from Lleida City Council. Xavier Ramon, president of Esbart Arrels, said the group values Lleida hosting this year’s finale, in recognition of the work done to promote popular culture and traditional dance in the area.
The Roda d’Esbarts Catalònia brings together children’s and youth esbart groups from across Catalonia. Through the year, participating organisations visit each other’s towns and cities to share performances and cultural activities. Lleida also hosted a dance during the Festes de Maig, as part of both the official Major Festival programme and the Roda calendar.
Previous finales have been held in Sant Just Desvern, l’Hospitalet and Igualada. This year, Lleida takes over as host city. More Catalonia news
Alongside the main dance performance, Esbart Arrels has planned cultural and leisure activities for the nearly 200 expected visitors, including participants and their companions. These include activities at Escola Pràctiques II, wooden games, a communal lunch, a visit to the Paeria, and tourist bus rides. Lleida TV will broadcast the closing event.
Esbart Arrels de Lleida says it keeps an active programme to promote traditional Catalan culture in the city, including work linked to the Festes de Maig and initiatives aimed at children and young people.
