Costume Renewal After 22 Years
The Ajuntament d’Olot has launched a project to renew the costumes of the city’s traditional giants, with the new attire expected to be ready in time for next year’s Corpus Christi festival. The last full renewal was in 2004, and the current costumes will be replaced as part of a €48,000 initiative supported by both the city council and the Generalitat. Aniol Sellabona, councillor for Festivals, said the aim is to ensure the giants once again “show their best finery” for the community. “These figures are deeply cherished by the people of Olot,” he said.
Faithful Reproduction of 1948 Design
A commission has been formed to oversee the renewal, including representatives from the city’s Festivals and Culture departments, museum restorers, members of the faràndula (traditional dance group), and heritage experts. The new costumes will faithfully replicate the design created by local artist Lluís Carbonell in 1948, preserving the traditional aesthetic. According to historical records, the current costume design has been in place since 2004, following Carbonell’s original pattern. Previous versions were introduced in 1915, 1925, 1948, and 1984. The 1983 attempt by Barcelona’s Llorens house deviated from the style and was revised the following year.
Structural Improvements Included
The project will also include maintenance and improvements to the internal structures of the giant figures, which are not allowed to leave Olot except during Corpus Christi and the Festes del Tura, as per a 1984 council resolution. The original giants, dating from 1889, were crafted by Miquel Blay and Celestí Devesa, and are considered cultural icons. A new artisan will be contracted in the coming weeks to begin work on the costumes, with the goal of unveiling them at the next Corpus Christi procession. The event, listed by the Generalitat as part of Catalonia’s festive heritage, features a parade of the giants followed by a sardana dance in Plaça Major (Generalitat de Catalunya).
Primary sources: patrimonifestiu.cultura.gencat.cat, visitmuseum.gencat.cat, TCPDF, calaix.gencat.cat. Reported by ca.wikipedia.org, Festes.org, olotaldia.com, Garrotxa Digital.
