Sant Sebastià Festival in Súria

The activity that kicks off the new year in Súria is, without a doubt, the Sant Sebastià Festival. The municipality's Winter Festival commemorates the effort and unity towards the fight of an entire town against cholera.

The origin of the Vot de Poble

In 1885, a cholera epidemic caused the death of about 80 people in Súria, although the total number of patients was around 280 people (15% of the population). This is the greatest tragedy that Súria has suffered in peacetime in recent centuries.

Although cholera spread throughout much of Catalonia between 1884 and 1886, Súria was one of the towns where the epidemic was most virulent. The first victim occurred on September 10, 1885. Given the impact that the epidemic was taking, the City Council, chaired by Mayor Joan Santamaria, asked for the help of the main institutions in the country. The last death caused by cholera occurred on October 21.

The disease marked the contemporary history of the town, strengthening the ties of solidarity between neighbors, personalities and authorities. On September 20, 1885, the villagers went in procession to Sant Salvador and instituted the Vot de Poble in honor of Sant Sebastià, traditionally considered a protector against pests. For this reason, January 20, Sant Sebastià day, is a local holiday in Súria.

In addition to the celebration of the Vot de Poble, the memory of the epidemic continues to be present in the names of some streets in the town that were dedicated to people and institutions that had a prominent role in the fight against cholera and care for the sick: Antonio González Solesio (civil governor of Barcelona), Domènec Quinquer (doctor), Ignasi Abadal (textile industrialist), Salvador Vancell (teacher) and the Barcelona Provincial Council.

Come enjoy all the activities that have been prepared!