Barceloneta Correfoc, Barcelona...

Last night we popped out to watch a Correfoc being hosted by Els Diables de la Barceloneta. We could have just watched from our balcony as it finishes right in front of our building, but it's much more fun to get up close to dodge the sparks and flaming football flying towards you, not to mention dancing in front of the mini burning man. There's an ambulance parked up in attendance just in case, although I've never seen anyone get burned (although I'm sure it does happen).

Burning Man really getting going...

Goal!

Relighting the football...

Standing back a bit for safety after the ball escaped one too many times...

It was cold last night which meant the crowd was small, but great fun nonetheless. I think this event is a pretty new tradition in Barceloneta but it's a good way to break up the tedious days between Christmas and New Year. I'm working this NYE so the next big event for me will be the Three Kings parade, I'll let you know all about that soon.

Diaghilev's Ballets Russes Exhibition, Barcelona...

If you're in Barcelona before the fifteenth of January 2012, I highly recommend that you go to Caixa Forum to see the free exhibition of the costumes of the Ballets Russes. The costumes are on loan from the V & A, and wonderfully well preserved. As well as costumes there are old posters and other memorabilia, and some really effective video installations. I'd say anyone who is interested in history, costume or dance will enjoy this exhibition a lot. 

The company toured extensively in the early twentieth century, including appearances in Barcelona. Pablo Picasso designed their ballet 'Parade', making them the first company to have sets and costumes inspired by cubism. They were a truly innovative company led by the enigmatic Sergei Diaghilev, and shocked the world with their bold sets, costumes, music and choreography. I won't bang on too much about them as you can find out more all over the internet or at your local library.

The Caixa Forum is well worth a visit itself for the architecture and history, and exhibitions are usually free, so even better. 

I managed to get some pictures but they don't do the fabulous costumes justice, make sure you get to the exhibition if you can.