Origin

The sardana, the traditional Catalan dance, has played an important role in Montblanc since the early 20th century. The first traces of sardanism in the town date back to 1903, when it was danced to the sound of a piano. Shortly after, in 1907, this instrument was replaced by the cobla, a traditional Catalan music ensemble, solidifying the sardana as one of the most deeply rooted cultural expressions. However, during Franco’s regime, this dance was classified as a mere "regional dance," stripping it of much of its identity. It wasn’t until the 1950s, thanks to the efforts of the Casal Montblanquí to preserve and promote Catalan culture, that the sardana regained its strength. In 1962, the Grup Sardanista was founded as a section of the Museu-Arxiu, giving new life to this tradition.