LA SARDANE

An essential image of Catalan identity, a symbol of peace and friendship, a festive and popular dance par excellence, the sardana (in Catalan sardana) is danced in the public squares of the Pyrénées-Orientales and South Catalonia. The sardana is danced in a closed circle alternating, in principle, a man and a woman. During the Francoist period, the sardana was banned in South Catalonia, but as a bravado against the dictatorship, it was still danced until it reached the square in front of Barcelona Cathedral. The sardana was known outside Catalonia thanks to Pablo Casals' "L'oratorio" and Charles Trenet's song "La jolie sardane" composed to music reminiscent of Catalan dance. Finally, it should be noted that Perpignan is in 2019 the international capital of the Sardana.