Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges

Keeping Sitges traditions in motion

Agrupació de Balls Populars de Sitges (ABPS) is a cultural association founded in 1978 to preserve and revive the figures, dances, and pageantry of Sitges’s Festa Major. It has occupied Palau del Rei Moro, owned by the town, almost continuously since its founding. The building is also shared with Grup Pessebrista de Sitges, Colla Jove de Castellers de Sitges, SACA, and other organizations.

Dances and festival figures

The association performs traditional dances during Sitges’s Festa Major, including:

• Ball de Capgrossos
• Ball de Cercolets
• Ball de les Cintes
• Ball de Diables de Sitges
• Gegants Moros
• Ball de Gitanes
• Moixiganga de Sitges
• Ball de Panderetes
• Ball de Pastorets

It also maintains figures for children’s performances.

Traditions through the year

Beyond the Festa Major dances, the association works to keep Catalan and Sitges traditions alive. Its calendar includes the Christmas quinto, nativity-diorama exhibits, a xatonada around Carnival, literary events for Sant Jordi, a satirical Festa Major proclamation, and a role in Holy Week carrying the Sant Sepulcre. It also takes part in the Harvest Festival, including the annual grape-treading contest and the presentation of a Pubilla and Hereu.

The association is present at major Sitges celebrations: the Sant Bartomeu and Santa Tecla festivals, Carnival, Holy Week, Sant Jordi, Corpus, the Harvest Festival, Castañada, and Christmas.

Publication and transparency

ABPS publishes El Fogall. Issue 40, from 2023, featured a cover by Miriam Barrabes and was distributed digitally and in print to members. The association launched its transparency portal in 2016.

Joining the association

Prospective members can join, and people interested in taking part in a dance can sign up for its waitlist through the association’s online process.

Inquiries

Email: info@agrupasitges.cat.