The Plaça de Rovira i Trias has surprised by winning for the first time in the history of the decorated streets contest at the Gràcia Festival, achieving 435 points. The proposal, inspired by the album 'Batiscafo Katiuscas' by the Mallorcan band Antònia Font, surpassed the Enchanted Winter Garden on Mozart street (394 points). Carrer del Progrés, last year's winner with a recreation of the 'Lord of the Rings' universe, came in sixth with 353 points. Third place went to Carrer de la Llibertat, also themed around Tolkien, with 377 points.
The contest is the culmination of the festivities, which began on Thursday, August 13th, with the opening speech by Gràcia-born journalist and historian Vicenç Sanclemente. This year, 23 streets and squares participated. Despite some neighborhood criticisms, the contest proceeded successfully, demonstrating the vitality of this tradition. The president of the Festa Major de Gràcia Foundation, Lina López, highlighted the importance of popular culture and community life.
Plaça de Rovira i Trias celebrated its twenty years of participation with a recreation of an underwater scene inspired by 'Batiscafo Katiuscas', featuring fish, jellyfish, and submarines, successfully transporting visitors to a fantasy universe.
The President of the Parliament, Josep Rull, accompanied by Barcelona councilors Jordi Marí Galbis and Damià Calvet, visited the decoration at Plaça de Rovira i Trias on Tuesday.
Carrer del Progrés, with its 'Lord of the Rings' recreation, attracted large crowds of visitors, becoming one of the main attractions of the festival. The committee worked on details such as the Mines of Moria and the standards of Rohan and Gondor.
Other streets like Carrer de la Llibertat, Tordera, Fraternitat de Dalt, and Fraternitat de Baix also recreated scenes from 'The Lord of the Rings'. Carrer de la Perla featured a 'Pirates of the Caribbean' theme with 'The Black Pearl', overcoming an attempted sabotage.
