Overview

• Running from September 23 to 28, this year’s program features more than 100 concerts, 80 street-arts shows and 55 popular-culture activities across venues citywide.
• Emma Vilarasau’s pregón urged protests against what she called “the genocidal State” of Israel and denounced housing costs and mass tourism, drawing growing local applause as many tourists drifted away, according to on-the-ground reports.
• Manchester appears as the guest city with acts including Children of Zeus, Space Afrika, Honeyfeet and Porij, and contributes two Bee figures to join Barcelona’s festive bestiari.
• Parc de l’Estació del Nord operates as the main street-arts hub, hosting 26 companies, 27 shows and more than 90 performances, with Manchester troupes featured across the schedule.
• Debate over the official poster continues after the archdiocese labeled Lluís Danés’s design irreverent, a characterization the artist rejects, saying he never intended to offend.