The Ajuntament de Manresa has approved the inclusion of the Festa Major Alternativa (FMA) in the city's Inventory of Intangible Heritage, marking official recognition of the grassroots festival's cultural significance.
The decision was formalised during today's ordinary plenary session, 24 September 2026. The resolution notes that the FMA originated in 1992 amid pre-Olympic tensions, launched by young pro-independence activists to protest repression and create a space for social mobilisation and celebration.
According to the mayor's resolution, the festival emerged at a time when many young residents were leaving the city during the official Festa Major. The alternative event offered a platform for youth engagement, combining cultural activities with social demands, and has since become a fixed and vibrant part of Manresa's annual calendar.
The FMA takes place annually from the penultimate Saturday of August through the following Sunday, running parallel to the official festivities. It is organised collectively by around 30 social and leisure groups from Manresa, with over a hundred volunteers contributing each year.
Organisation is assembly-based, and food and drink stalls are self-managed by participating collectives. The council's report states that the FMA has helped keep residents in the city during summer, indirectly boosting the vitality of the official Festa Major.
Festival's Role in Cultural Identity
The recognition follows years of advocacy by organisers and cultural groups. The FMA has grown into a symbol of autonomous civic action, with concerts, debates, workshops and street actions promoting values of social justice and self-determination.
The council's official heritage website now lists the FMA alongside other traditional events, acknowledging its role in shaping local identity. The full programme for the 2026 edition is available on fmmanresa.cat.
The FMA has grown until it has become an inseparable part of local festive heritage.
Public Access and Participation
Residents and visitors can consult the complete 2026 FMA programme, including the Cercatasques route, on fmmanresa.cat/fma/cercatasques. The event remains free and open to all, with no tickets required.
Reported by fmmanresa.cat, Ajuntament de Manresa, L'Alternativa Manresa, Regió7.
