Once again, to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, the egg will “dance” in the cloister of the Seu from Thursday 8 to Sunday 11 June, and it can be visited during the temple’s opening hours: Monday to Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The crowned fountain will be decorated with white and red flowers and the empty egg will be placed on the spout. At 10:45 a.m. on Corpus Christi. the egg will be presented and blessed and, from then on, it can be visited during the regular schedule.
This is the fourth edition of “l’ou com balla”, a tradition recovered in 2018 after 35 years without being held. However, this year the traditional dyed sawdust carpets will not be created.
“L’ou com balla” during the drought
In many facilities in the territory, “l’ou com balla”will adapt to the drought and only fountains that work with a closed water circuit will flow, as is the case with the fountain in the basilica of la Seu. In addition, the resulting water will be used to water the plants in the cloister.
Origin of tradition
It is believed that the origin of this tradition dates back between the 15th and 17th centuries to the Cathedral of Barcelona. There are various interpretations of its meaning, but the most widespread is that the egg symbolizes the Sacred Form (the host or Eucharist) in a monstrance, while the water represents the blood of Christ. The elements of this tradition – the egg, water and flowers – have also been interpreted as symbols of fertility and regeneration, typical attributes of spring.
Corpus Christi Mass in the Cathedral
Apart from the blessing of “l’ou com balla”, on Sunday, June 11, a Corpus Christi mass will be celebrated in the Seu at 6:00 p.m. The mass will be followed by the procession around the basilica carrying the monstrance.