THE MAGIC OF THE SAINT

While I was sad that it was raining during Fiesta de la Mercè, the Catalans were celebrating. "It rains every year during the festival", my roommate explained. "The Catalans believe the raindrops are the tears of the saint. She cries because the summer is over." In Holland we would have laughed at such a statement. But here, in a city with so much history and culture, it sounds like a reasonable explanation.
La Mercè - also known as the Virgin of Grace - has been honoured here since the Middle Ages. When the city was plagued with insects, the citizens asked the virgin for help. When she turned out to be successful, she was named the protector of the city.
The virgin stands for compassion, service and loving mercy. And that's what you see all around you when you walk around during the festival. The people of Barcelona go out and celebrate their culture and their history. They are proud of the land they live in. And when I am sipping typical Catalan cava with my roommates I feel a little bit proud too.