The capital of the Priorat region dressed up for the celebration, which featured about fifty carriages adorned with floral motifs and residents wearing traditional Catalan attire. This centuries-old festival was declared a national interest event in 2011 and involves nearly a thousand people directly and indirectly.
“"Falset suffered a siege, and the residents of Falset dressed in white shirts to differentiate themselves from the Bourbon troops. Then, they won and thanked the saint dressed in shirts."
One of the features distinguishing this celebration from other Tres Tombs festivals is the participants' clothing. Men wear white shirts, vests, and barretinas (traditional caps), while women opt for gandalla (hairnets) and skirts. This dress code stems from the legend that during the War of the French, Falset residents won a siege by dressing in white to confuse the enemy in the fog.
The tradition is passed down from parents to children, and it is common to see infants under one year old riding on the carriages, sharing space with the elderly and youth. Entire families, such as that of Oriol Carreño, are involved in keeping the Saint Anthony festival alive, reinforcing the sense of community.
“"We believe that transmitting this traditional festival to our children gives it continuity, being one of the few in Catalonia where everyone is dressed in Catalan attire."
The Sunday event, despite the cold, allowed the celebration to proceed, after Saturday's rain forced the cancellation of part of the program. A local particularity included the dancing of the Falset jota inside the church, prior to the blessing of the traditional cakes in honor of Saint Anthony.
