The heritage of Tarragona is not only defined by its physical remnants but also by the stories of the people who have lived there. From 12 to 15 November, the city will host the Pasajes cycle and the Fiesta del Patrimonio, two cultural initiatives aimed at exploring the city's history through its protagonists, spaces, and experiences. This year's events coincide with the 26th anniversary of the UNESCO designation of the archaeological site of Tàrraco as a World Heritage Site, highlighting the importance of both tangible and intangible historical legacies.
Nacho García Latorre, the city’s heritage councillor, emphasised that heritage encompasses more than just monuments and archaeological remains. He stated, "When we talk about heritage, we often think of buildings or archaeological sites, but it also includes the stories of the people who have lived in these spaces and contributed to the Tarragona we know today." He added that the Pasajes cycle allows for the collective memory to be voiced, reminding us that the city's history has been shaped not only by prominent figures but also by the countless anonymous individuals who have worked, fought, and lived in its streets and neighbourhoods.
Pasajes cycle details
The second edition of the Pasajes cycle will feature ten monologues performed in various heritage sites across the city. The performances will revive characters from different eras and social backgrounds, blending well-known historical figures with lesser-known individuals who represent the everyday life, traditional trades, social conflicts, and transformations of Tarragona. Among the characters will be Violant de Bar, a queen of the Crown of Aragon, who will shed light on the role of women in medieval power; Josep Maria Jujol, a modernist architect closely linked to Tarragona; and Eudald Carbonell, who will invite audiences to journey back to prehistory and discover the earliest traces of humanity in the region.
Less familiar figures will also be highlighted, such as Pepita Balcells, a worker from the Tabacalera tobacco factory, who will recall the lives of women in the workplace and the beginnings of labour and feminist movements; Maria de Bonavista, who will narrate the story of emigration and families who built new lives in the area; and the old fisherman Amolla, who will revive the traditional maritime gastronomy.
Festival activities
The performances will take place in notable locations including the Pretori-Castell del Rei, the Amphitheatre, the Tabacalera, and the Casa Fontanals, among others. García Latorre remarked, "One of the unique aspects of Pasajes is that it allows us to discover that heritage is much more than just the Roman Tàrraco. It also encompasses the history of the neighbourhoods, the port workers, the women of the Tabacalera, the fishermen, and those who came to Tarragona seeking a better life."
A new feature of this edition will be the Pasajes Award, which will recognise one of the participating monologues. The jury will include Coia Escoda Múrria, head of the Port Archive; Joan Pascual Mallada, a teacher and playwright associated with the Theatre Classroom of the URV; and journalist and writer Enric García Jardí. The award will be announced on 15 November at 13:30 during the closing day of the Fiesta del Patrimonio in the Gardens of Campo de Marte.
Throughout the weekend, the Fiesta del Patrimonio will transform the Forum of the Colony and the Gardens of Campo de Marte into spaces for discovery and community participation. Historical reenactments, family workshops, theatrical performances, musical shows, and demonstrations of traditional trades will allow the public to engage with various historical periods of Tarragona in an experiential and participatory manner. The festival aims to highlight heritage as a shared, living legacy that is constantly evolving, and to reaffirm the role of citizens in its preservation and transmission.
The first day, Saturday 14 November, will take place at the Forum of the Colony, featuring activities that showcase daily life in ancient Tàrraco. On Sunday 15 November, the festivities will move to the Gardens of Campo de Marte, where historical reenactments from different periods will be presented by medieval groups such as Alma Cubrae, Miquelets de Catalunya, and the Urban Militias of Tarragona 1800. The day will culminate with a concert by the Banda Unión Musical de Tarragona (BUMT) in the marquee, the announcement of the Pasajes Award, and a community vermouth to conclude the celebration. The programming will begin at 10:00 with a chocolate event.
