Mercè Dansa: “Cobla Sabadell”

Mercè Dansa: Cobla Sabadell sardana orchestra

Throughout Catalonia there are towns and villages that keep folk dances with centuries of history behind them alive, from the counties of the Principality, Northern Catalonia and the Franja de Ponent, contributing to the preservation of this rich legacy. Those who gather together to dance don't belong to groups or institutions; they're neighbours who've no doubt grown up watching previous generations dance, and are now following in their footsteps.

At La Mercè, these groups find a space where they can share the tradition: Mercè Dansa is a dance display accompanied by the Cobla Sabadell sardana orchestra, an artistic association that makes sure that the sardana, the most authentically Catalan of types of music is well-known throughout the country, creating concert and dance music.

Organised by the Esbart Català de Dansaires, Organised by the Esbart Català de Dansaires, an organisation dedicated to research and to the compilation, conservation and dissemination of traditional dance and customs, Mercè Dansa isn’t simply a dance exhibition. In the afternoon, the action moves to the Pl. Sant Jaume, and everyone who wants to can learn the dance (see “El Galop de la Mercè”).