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Festa del Bandoler Toca-Sons

Població: Taradell (Osona)
Dates: 24-08-2008 / 25-08-2008
Època: Època Moderna
Pàgina web: http://toca-sons.cat

At the end of August, during local festivities in Taradell, a Festival based on the local Bandit Toca-sons and a market of the 17th century takes place. In 1994, this Festival was awarded  First National Prize in Popular Culture.

 

The events recount the story of Toca-sons, a bandits' chief who lived in the first half of 17th century. His true name was Jaume Masferrer and his larcenies reached the counties of Osona, Guilleries and Cabrerès.

 

Cites of his first deed date back to 1629, even though historians believe in previous years he had belonged to other well-known bands like that of Serrallonga and Perot Rocaguinarda. In 1630 Duke of Sogorb and Cardona is appointed new Viceroy of Catalonia, his foremost objective being eradicating brigandage endemic evil. Ruthlessly prosecuting bands and imposing punishments to friends and those who hid them, the new Viceroy eradicated Toca-sons and Serrallonga bands in 1633.

 

The Festival starts when the town Consistory bailiff warns neighbours of Taradell the squad of Toca-sons is in the outskirts. Sometents (or local defenders) get ready to capture him. The following day Toca-sons enters the town, blunderbuss in hand, shooting carelessly and threatening the population. In a moment of distraction he is captured while dancing Sardanes (a Catalan popular dance) in the main town square. The Festival ends with a judicial process declaring him guilty or innocent- the outcome changing ever year .