Barcelona is in full celebration mode for the Fiestas de la Mercè 2023, an event that pays tribute to the culture, music and diversity that characterize this Mediterranean metropolis.
From September 22 to 25, the city is filled with music, street art and popular culture demonstrations that attract both locals and visitors from all over the world.
The poster of the Festes de la Mercè 2023 deserves a special mention. This year, illustrator Chamo San presents us with an intriguing impossible castle that pays tribute to Barcelona’s major festivals and some of the city’s most illustrious characters.
From Bernardo Cortés to Teresa Pámies, passing through Peret, Ramón Casas, the Pinotxo de la Boqueria or Margarita Xirgu, this poster is a journey through the history and culture of Barcelona.
The author, Chamo San, has imbued his work with “underground” airs and has managed to create a unique representation of the city and its characters.
This exciting poster reminds us of the cultural and artistic richness that Barcelona has to offer and is a testament to the importance of creativity in the life of the city.
Najat El Hachmi: The Pregonera of the Mercè Festivities 2023
The reading of the proclamation of the Festes de la Mercè 2023 took place on September 22 in the Saló de Cent of the Barcelona City Hall.
This year’s town crier was Najat El Hachmi, a racialized and migrant woman born in Nador, Morocco, in 1979. In addition to being a feminist, El Hachmi has received numerous literary awards, standing out for her talent and commitment.
On the other hand, among the people honored in this edition is the figure of Ocaña, a painter from Seville who settled in Barcelona and left a significant impact on the art scene before passing away at the early age of 36 in 1983. This year, coinciding with the Festes de la Mercè, marks 40 years since his departure.
In addition to Ocaña, the line-up includes emblematic figures such as Miguel Gallardo, Maria Mercè Marçal, dancer Enric Castan and Leo from Bar Leo in Barceloneta.
A walk through the history of the Mercè Festival
This year’s poster also pays tribute to emblematic posters from previous editions of the Mercè Festival. From Sònia Pulido’s anti-machismo approach in 2018 to América Sánchez’s depiction of the Cuban girl in 2005, these designs are a journey through the history of the party.
Also included are posters by Reskate Studio for the Mercè 2020, the tribute to cultural activist Marta Tatjer in Francesc Galí’s 1979 poster and an eighties illustration by Damià Carulla for the 1985 festivities.
