Editorial photo #12790125 Arts, Culture and Entertainment
Barcelona – La Mercè Festival 2025 Highlights – Day 1
In Barcelona, Spain, on September 24, 2025, the Toc d'Inici (Opening Touch) ceremony officially launches La Merce Festival 2025 in Catalunya Square (Placa de Catalunya). This year's guest city is Manchester, and the show unveils two new figures--the Bestia Bee and the Geganta Bee--created jointly by artisans and folk-culture groups from both cities. The figures, shaped like a bee, symbol of Manchester, echo the style of Barcelona's traditional festival ''beasts'' and giants while incorporating distinctive elements of English popular culture. (Photo by Charlie Perez/NurPhoto)
