Discover the Sant Cosme and Sant Damià Festivals in Catalonia!

The Sant Cosme and Sant Damià festivals, celebrated on September 26, have a long-standing tradition in several places in Catalonia, especially in those municipalities where the saints are patron saints or have a special popular devotion.

According to Christian tradition, Saints Cosmas and Damia, were twin brothers originally from Arabia. They practiced medicine and cured the sick without accepting any kind of reward, which is why they are called "anargires" (without money). Their life of selfless service and their martyrdom during the persecutions of the Roman Empire made them patron saints of doctors, pharmacists, surgeons, and, in general, all professions linked to health. In Catalonia, they are also invoked in some places as protectors against diseases and epidemics.

The festival typically combines religious ceremonies with the recreational and cultural activities typical of major festivals. The day typically begins with a solemn mass in honor of the saints, often accompanied by traditional songs and floral offerings. In some places, medicinal herbs are blessed in memory of the saints' healing work.

Popular events include parades with giants and big-headed figures, sardanas in the square, human towers (castellers), correfocs (fire runs), and concerts of traditional and modern music. It's also common to find craft fairs, local produce markets, children's activities, and community meals where families and neighbors gather to celebrate the day.

The festival of Sant Cosme and Sant Damià is thus another example of the cultural and festive richness of the Catalan calendar, where religious devotion blends with celebration and popular coexistence.