The Gala, a festive heritage element of national interest.

The Gala or dance of Campdevànol, has become for the population an icon of identity. The Gala de Campdevànol, original from the 12th century, has become a unique and incomparable intangible heritage of Catalan folklore and has been declared a Patrimonial Festive Element of National Interest. You can enjoy this tradition during its patron saint festivities (third week of September).

the Gala is a dance that is danced in Campdevànol, one of the municipalities of the region of Ripollès. It is also known as Dance of Campdevànol, Dance of the Roser or Dance of the Hoods. This can be seen in the main square of the village, the Plaza de la Danza, every Sunday and Monday of the Fiesta Mayor. As it has always been danced there is why the square is so named

The dance of Campdevànol, or also known as "la Gala", has reached our days thanks to the Brotherhoods of the Rosary. These used the dance as a form of renewal of the pabordas and pabordesas of the confraternity. Between 1570 and 1620 in all the territory of the Catalan Countries were created the Confraternities of the Rosary. They were governed by the rector of the parish and by two pabordas and two pabordesas who were relieved of their duties every year. Before the dance a procession was held. Thanks to this fact we can see the influence of the brotherhoods and religion in the history of the Dance of Campdevànol. Although it is difficult to determine the exact origin of the dance, due to the lack of written documentation, according to the teacher Lluís Millet, the melody that characterizes it was recognized in a French carol printed in 1550. Even so, there are several theories. First, there are those who believe that it has a religious basis related to the feast of the Rosary and that therefore, the Dance represents the commemoration of the transfer of functions of the Pabordes del Roser, incoming and outgoing, which used to change every year. Secondly, other theories relate it to the legend of Count Arnau, but the most accepted version is that it is a symbolism of the triumph of the people over one of the "bad habits" of the feudal era: the "right of pernada". It was abolished in 1486, along with other "bad usages" by King Ferdinand II the Catholic. The explanation of this theory is to be found in the choreography of the dance: the capdanser (also called Galer), dressed in the best clothes and top hat, symbolizes a relevant figure that galeja all the dancers spraying them with perfumed water and then delivers them to the corresponding dancer.

The dance is danced by six couples and the capdanser. It is in the female part where almost all the importance of the dance falls. The group of women is formed by: the Mayoress, the Campesa and four pabordesas. Some time ago "la Gala" was not exactly like that. The dance was open to everyone. Nowadays the capdanser withdraws from the dance and lets the couples dance alone. In the past this same structure was maintained but with the difference that, when the dance master had finished dancing with all the dancers, if someone had warned the capdanser, he would take the desired dancer out and once they had gone around the square he would lead her to the applicant so that she could dance. It was only possible to take part in the dance if the capdanser intervened. No girl could refuse the capdanser's request, even if she did not want to. Therefore, the dance was much longer and could last two or three hours or even more. Its name, "la Gala", probably comes from the fact that the dance master "galeja" the girls. That is, he sprinkles the dancers with perfumed water.

Capdanser: represents a nobleman of the Middle Ages. His clothing is of great gala. He wears a gambeto (capot up to half a leg) and a top hat. One of the most significant things of the dance is the almorratxa that he carries. This container is decorated and has different nozzles to let out the perfumed water and spray the girls.

The Gala is a dance with four distinct parts:

Vano: the capdanser takes the six dancers, joined all by the hands. They make a pass through the square, dotting the dancers. The capdanser acts as a central axis and the dancers close until they complete the imaginary circle that is drawn.
Dance: the capdanser pairs up with the six dancers, one by one, and dances with them. Each time he dances with a dancer he starts doing Ristol (type of movement in the Dance) and then sprays the girl. There comes a moment when they separate and when they meet again they greet each other lightly. Finally the dancer accompanies her partner.
Ball cerdà: from this moment on there are only the six couples in the square, the dance master has retired. Two rows are formed; one of boys and one of girls. They dance and make some characteristic movements. Once they have finished the dancers help the girls to take off their hoods and a person comes to pick up the hoods and fans, so that the dancers can perform the last part of the dance.
Corrandes: first they make three groups of two couples each and the girls stand up. Then they make two groups of three couples each and do the same thing again and finally they make a single group where there are all the couples and the girls stand up. When they are a single group the act of lifting the girls do it twice and in the second time the dancers do their best to hold the figure as long as possible.
Take advantage of your stay in Campdevànol, stay at our farm and visit the nearby towns of our environment and the many activities offered by the region of Ripollès.