December

This year’s caganer figurines include the new Catalan president and the Squid Game, while the iconic Christmas tree fair returns to Espinelves

1. The traditional figure of a man squatting to do his business in Catalan Nativity scenes gets a makeover every Christmas, with new versions featuring famous people currently in the media spotlight. This year it was the turn of the likes of Catalan president Pere Aragonés, The Squid Game and singer Lluís Llach.

2. If there is one place associated with Christmas trees it is the town of Espinelves in Osona county, which has celebrated the Fira de l’Avet every December since 1981. The Christmas tree fair, which is celebrating its 40th edition after it was cancelled last year due to Covid, will be offering the best fir trees in the country from December 4 to 12.

3. Pandemic or no pandemic, nothing stops Catalonia’s annual Christmas lottery, La Grossa (The Big One). Every year, a few lucky ticket holders get to take home payouts in the tens of thousands of euros. Look out for groups of euphoric winners celebrating with cava when the numbers are drawn on New Year’s Eve.

December 2. If there is one place associated with Christmas trees it is the town of Espinelves in Osona county, which has celebrated the Fira de l’Avet every December since 1981. The Christmas tree fair, which is celebrating its 40th edition after it was cancelled last year due to Covid, will be offering the best fir trees in the country from December 4 to 12.

4. Catalonia’s annual telethon to raise money for good causes, La Marató, will take place on December 19 this year. The 30th edition of the fundraiser broadcast all day long on TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio aims to raise funds for research into mental illnesses. In the past three decades, La Marató has raised a total of €216m.

What 2021 had in store for us

What 2021 had in store for us.

Once again for the December issue of the magazine we reviewed some of the main events in the news during the previous 12 months, not to mention the usual complement of in-depth interviews, reviews, opinion and news.