Sardanas take center stage at Tàrrega's May Festival

The 42nd edition of the Aplec de la Sardana Ciutat de Tàrrega featured the debut of a new local dance group and a sardana dedicated to the gathering.

Image of a group of people dancing sardanas in a square.
IA

Image of a group of people dancing sardanas in a square.

Tàrrega's May Festival prominently featured sardanas, with the celebration of the 42nd Aplec de la Sardana Ciutat de Tàrrega and the debut of a new local dance group.

The city of Tàrrega experienced the second day of its May Festival with a strong focus on sardana dancing. The central event was the 42nd edition of the Aplec de la Sardana Ciutat de Tàrrega, organized by the Agrupació Amics de la Sardana and the city council. The day featured musical performances by the Cobla Tàrrega and the Cobla Jovenívola d’Agramunt.
Initially, the sardanas were danced in the Pati, but rain forced the afternoon activities to be moved to the Plaça de les Nacions. One of this year's most notable novelties was the introduction of the city's new sardana dance group, promoted by the Amics de la Sardana and the Centre Cultural de Tàrrega. This group consists of about twenty people who regularly meet at the Casal Cívic to practice.
In the afternoon, a sardana dedicated to the gathering, titled Aplec de Tàrrega. Sons de l’Ondara, composed by Òscar Barqué, was premiered. Students from schools participating in the Saltem i Ballem course also took part in the dances. The sardana program included two sessions, one at midday and another in the afternoon.
Concurrently, the morning saw a botifarra championship with eight participating pairs in the Plaça de les Nacions, as well as the 25th edition of the Marató i 10 km Ciutat de Tàrrega, organized by the 100x100 Fondistes club.
The May Festival continues with the presentation of a book dedicated to the city's giants, titled Els gegants de Tàrrega. Un viatge per les festes de la ciutat i els seus protagonistes, authored by Albert Fitó Pi. The volume highlights historical figures such as Ramon Berenguer I and Almodis, with over 150 years of history, or Eloi and Alba, patrons of the city since 1955. The festivities will extend until Sunday with a total of 60 activities, including popular culture events like the Eixideta, the Processó i el Seguici de les Santes Espines, the Nit del Tararot, and the Trobada de Gegants i Capgrossos.