Festa Major de Gràcia hit by sabotage as neighbour complaints rise

The commission of Carrer la Perla, which prepares the decorations for Barcelona’s Festa Major de Gràcia, reported that its storefront shutter was deliberately damaged with silicone on a Sunday morning. The incident occurred just days before the festival, which is scheduled to begin on 15 August, and the organizers described it as a “deliberate attack on the collective volunteer work” that sustains the celebration.

The sabotage adds to a growing dispute between some local residents and the festival organizers. Neighbours have complained about noise, litter and late‑night activities associated with the event, and several streets have faced similar complaints. The commission warned that proposals to limit the festival’s hours or activities could threaten the traditional model of the celebration, while the Fundació Festa Major de Gràcia defended the event as a vital community tradition and called for dialogue to improve coexistence.