The Castañada in Catalonia, a very lively tradition
November is coming, and after him, the cold and the smell of roasted chestnuts. A nice mix that has its climax at the All Saints’ party. One of the most widespread customs in Catalonia during the night of November 1 is the Castañada. The traditional festival of Catholic origin that worships ancestors, today, shares prominence with Halloween. The feast of Celtic origin has spread very quickly, especially in Anglo-Saxon countries.
Both parties share the celebration of the night of day 1 among chestnuts and panellets, pumpkins and costumes …
The chestnut in Catalonia
Tradition of intimate and familiar character, Todos los Santos fills the cemeteries of all peoples with colors and aromas, where thousands of flowers print a more welcoming and spiritual character to this part of the celebration, and which, it should be remembered, is closely related to the Day of the Dead, holiday celebrated the next day. Moreover, the traditional belief explains that on November 1 the living visit the dead, and on November 2, it is the dead who visit the living. Hence, the “terrifying” character of the party.
Chestnuts and pumpkins on the Costa Brava
In cities like Roses, Figueres, L’Escala or Cadaqués we can enjoy the warmth and color of this party in various spaces such as plazas, discos or civic centers, where La Castañada and Halloween merge to offer endless activities for children and Older people turn this terrifying night into an explosion of joy and fun. In smaller towns, however, the traditions of their own – for the moment – continue to gain the pulse of those from other countries that have been established over time.
Do not miss the 13th edition of the Fira de la Castaña, a party that invades the cobbled streets of Maçanet de Cabrenys and is dedicated entirely to the chestnut tree, its fruit and the uses made of the wood and cuisine of the chestnut . In addition, you will find numerous children’s entertainment activities, concerts, workshops and craft products.
Another of the parties that you can not miss is the one held in Sant Llorenç de la Muga, one of the most beautiful towns in the Alt Empordà, which celebrates its particular Castañada with panellets workshops for the little ones, an original tortilla contest, and Live music to liven up the day.
But if we talk about popular chestnuts, we can not ignore the party of La Castanyera de Begur, the small coastal town that offers a weekend full of activities such as the traditional Artisan Fair, with tasting of chestnuts and local products, projections of Cinema and multiple workshops.
