Activities

GRALLERS

Rocafort, for some 15 years now, has a group of "grallers", a group which from time to time welcomes new members; at the moment the group comprises between seven and ten musicians. Their repertoire basically includes music for giants and village processions. The "grallers" play in the processions around the village in the Festa Major, when they are joined by the giants, but they also play the dance of Sant Cosme and Sant Damià, which is performed on the day commemorating Sants Metges, and of course they bring life and music to many other village celebrations. Many of the young people between the ages of 14 and 20 who come to spend their holidays in Rocafort, also join in with the group of "grallers" and so integrate with the residents of the village and their activities.

Grallers
Gegants
Flaviolaires

GIANTS

In 1982, the children of the village, with the help o fan adult, made some papier-mâche heads and mounted them on a pole to resemble some kind of giant. On seeing them the parents made a wooden structure for the body, wigs and clothes. They were authentic giants, with a royal air about them and during the Festa Major that year they were blessed and christened Ser&ègrave; and Marinada. Ten years later their wardrobe was renewed, and the shape of their arms changed, but the heads remained the same. Now, they appear whenever there is a celebration in the village, such as the Festa Major. To mark their 20th anniversary a special dance, designed expressly for them and bearing their name, was performed. The accompanying music was written by Ferran Miquel, someone with very close ties to the village. Nevertheless, everyone wanted some real giants, tall and imposing... And so, in 1987, some professional artesans Esperança Cases, Pepa Sintes and Monserrat Torres, inspired by the idea, came to the village and, bit by bit, first with clay and then with papier-mache, made the moulds for the new heads for the giants and finally, they were painted. They also made the interior structure and the clothes. These giants were 9 months in the making. They are marvellous giants who were solemnly baptised with the names Macabeu and Arbequina. Now, these two regularly make an appearance during the Festa Major.

FLABIOLAIRES

For some 12 years there has also been a group of "flabiolaires" which, in the same way as the "grallers" has changed its membership over time. The "flabiolaires" are younger but they also es fan sentir. At present there are seven of them. The "flabiolaires" are those who are charge of waking everyone up in the morning on Sunday, the day of the Festa Major. On occasions they also go to play with the "grallers" at venues outside of the village. Their repertoire, like that of the "grallers", is for village processions and also includes some concert pieces. They always take part in livening up village celebrations. The majority of the "flabiolaires" are boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15 and who, like their older musical friends, are often children who spend their holidays in Rocafort.