El Bruc celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Timbaler Festival in a Millennium year
In 2025, El Bruc is celebrating a double anniversary that will fill every street with meaning and emotion: the 25th edition of the Timbaler Festival coincides with the Millennium of Montserrat. Two key dates come together to pay tribute to the history, the territory, and the strength of the people who live there.
On June 7 and 8, the Timbaler Festival is presented as a celebration that goes far beyond historical recreation: it is a living example of collective resistance, roots and community.
A festival with deep historical roots
The Festival of the Timbaler commemorates the so-called Battles of Bruc, which took place on June 6 and 14, 1808, during the War of the French. According to legend, the sound of a timpani played by a young farmer made the French soldiers believe a large army was approaching, causing them to retreat. This heroic episode has become a symbol of popular resistance and forms part of the town's historical and sentimental heritage.
The festival was established 25 years ago as a way to revitalize this memory and promote it through culture and civic participation. This year, this commitment is reinforced by the connection with the Millennium of Montserrat, the monastery with which El Bruc shares territory, spirituality, and history.
A weekend to experience with all your senses!
Throughout the weekend, the old town of El Bruc will be transformed into a vast open-air stage where the events of 1808 will be reenacted, when the people, led by the sound of a single drum, stood up to Napoleon's army. Theater performances, a 19th-century market, a French military camp, and the Sometent tavern will offer a complete immersion in the era.
There will be up to fifteen theatrical scenes, directed by Gerard Bidegain, combining action, humor, and emotion. From the drama of The Traitor to the tension of Esperanza, including the new offering Nigra Sum, set in the Monastery of Montserrat, all the plays offer a different perspective on those pivotal days. The climax will come on Sunday with "The Battle of El Bruc," which reenacts the moment when a simple drum changed the course of history.
A celebration with an inclusive and intergenerational vocation
The Timbaler Festival not only appeals to collective memory but also promotes the active participation of all residents. Children will play a leading role in "El Petit Sometent," a piece conceived by the 6th grade class at El Bruc School. They will also be able to learn to play the timpani in a participatory workshop or discover the local oil industry with a tasting guided by Agustí Romero, an IRTA expert.
Meanwhile, the Gent Gran del Bruc will showcase their creations at the lacemaking gathering, and the Coral Moixerigues will offer a free concert at the Casal Familiar. The poster competition, won this year by Irene Aguilar Pérez, will also be exhibited.
The Honorary Timbaler and the recognitions of the people
One of the most heartfelt moments of the weekend will be the presentation of the Honorary Timbaler Awards, now in their 12th year. This year, the recognition goes to the Asdent organization for its charitable work, and to a person connected to the town who has stood out for their commitment. The ceremony will take place on Sunday morning, following the floral offering at the Timbaler monument.
The subsequent parade, with historical reenactment groups, riflemen, and period figures, will travel through the town in a march that blends solemnity, joy, and pride of identity.
A party that looks forward
The 25th anniversary of the Fiesta del Timbaler is a milestone that invites us to take stock. A quarter of a century ago, El Bruc decided to revive and reenact its founding feat, and over the years, the celebration has established itself as one of the most powerful popular events in the region. The organization has managed to renew itself with innovative proposals, always maintaining the connection to history and the participation of the people. The coincidence with the Millennium of Montserrat adds a new layer of meaning.
In a context where small communities struggle to keep their legacy alive, the Timbaler Festival is a statement of cultural resistance. The history of Bruc, and especially the way the people choose to remember and reinterpret it, is a powerful tool for cohesion and collective pride.
With the power of the kettledrum as a symbol, the town celebrates what it has been, what it is, and what it wants to continue to be: a living place, rooted in and committed to its environment.
This June 7 and 8, El Bruc will not only remember a battle: it will reaffirm its spirit!
