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Carnival on Board and Festival Culture in Port
A festival theme on board and the festival culture of a port of call are two different things. The announced focus of Jeckliner im Sunnesching is bands, comedy and DJs. A city, by contrast, celebrates according to its own traditions and calendar. Barcelona celebrates La Mercè as its annual patron saint festival around 24 September; its public traditions extend far beyond a single stage programme.
Jeckliner: an announced programme on board
TUI Cruises and Gaffel have announced Jeckliner im Sunnesching for 24 to 28 September 2027 aboard Mein Schiff 2. The route runs from Palma, via a sea day and La Seyne near Toulon, to Barcelona and back to Palma. The line-up includes Kasalla, Miljö, Klüngelköpp and Räuber. There will also be stage performances by Herrengedeck, as well as JP Weber, Martin Schopps and Volker Weininger as “Der Sitzungspräsident”; DJs are set to play after the live concerts. Kasalla’s performance is scheduled for the ship’s stay in Barcelona.
The mix of music and stage comedy can be compared with comedy and cabaret cruises and music and DJ festivals on board. The overview of entertainment, sports and shore excursion services places such special programmes alongside the usual activities on board and ashore.
La Mercè: local traditions in Barcelona
La Mercè is celebrated in the streets and squares of Barcelona. The festivities begin with a ceremonial address at the Saló de Cent and an opening procession. This is followed in Plaça Sant Jaume by the Toc d’Inici, featuring ceremonial dances by the Seguici Popular and the Ministrers del Camí Ral. Local figures include the Gegants (giant figures) and nans (dwarf figures), who appear in processions and figure dances. These processions and dances are recurring traditions of the festival.
The Castellers are also part of the festival: local groups build their human towers in Plaça Sant Jaume on 24 September; invited groups perform on the nearest Sunday. During the Correfoc, devils, dragons and other fire creatures parade through the streets in a procession accompanied by the Tabalada and Ceptrotada. The Sardana brings dance and music to the festival programme. These traditions are quite distinct: Castellers form human towers, the Correfoc is a fire run, and the Sardana is a traditional dance accompanied by music.
Photo: Markus Lenk
