Friday, September 24, 2010

Barcelona La Merce - Postcard Friendship Friday #30


I thought this wonderful old postcard from my collection was perfect to celebrate the  Barcelona La Merce Festival where one of the longest and biggest street parties in the world takes place each year.

This year the party goes from September 23-26.  The festival is held in honor of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona.   The festival, which started in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.

At dusk, the area where the celebration takes place is closed to traffic and opened to "The Devils."  (Eeeek!)  People in devil costumes run up and down the streets with drums, noisemakers and hand-held fireworks.   Spectacular fire-breathing dragons also roam the streets with the devils.  These dragons actually blow sparkling fire into the crowds!  Perhaps that is why protective clothing is advised.

Happy Postcard Friendship  Friday!

To see more mailboxes and all things postal, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox.


14 comments:

LiT Web Studio said...

great postcard...is that a fabric skirt or embossed in some way? it looks like one of those cards with added material! happy PFF!

MrCachet said...

I have the same question - is it an embossed card? None the less, she's a doll!

dakotaboo said...

This reminds me of one of the first postcards I remember receiving as a child. I think actually it was one of my sister's friends who sent it back from Spain. The skirt was not only fabric of some sort but also had sequins on it. Needless to say that card is long gone. Happy PFF.

Beth Niquette said...

To answer your questions, the card looks real because of the embossing! Such a lovely postcard! Thanks for asking!

Paul van Yperen said...

A sweet card. My parents always go on vacation to Spain, and like to send embossed postcards like these. They always give me the feeling of a happy holiday from the past. Happy PFF!

Joy said...

Sounds like a wonderful festival to round of the summer. Nice embossed card.

Dorincard said...

Nice card! I hope she doesn't have porcupine spines around her waist - a risky defense. :)

Aimee said...

Great card...that's some celebration!

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I remember everyone collecting dolls like that when I was young. It's a bit of a shame to have to say goodbye to the summer, but a three-day party! That does make up for it. :)

Postcardy said...

I have one of the cards in that Tichnor series, but it isn't embossed. I do have some Spanish made cards with real embroidery and some with fabric ruffles.

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

I didn't realize you were doing this with vintage postcards...I will try to remember to join you next week. Love this so much!!!
Hugs,
Coralie

Funoldhag said...

Such a gorgeous card. I never realized how many people collect and are interested in postcards but I can really see why. I am so surprised that I am finding quite a few in with my things. Happy PFF, Beth.

Lyneen said...

She is a beautiful doll.. what celebration the Barcelona La Merce Festival must be... I cannot imagine devils running around for 4 days!!

Irene said...

Great card, love the story behind it as well.