Family Business Takes Centre Stage
Antoni Falgueras, a master winemaker born in Barcelona in 1948, and his daughter Meritxell Falgueras, a sommelier and wine communicator, will officially open La Mercè 2026 on Wednesday 23 September at 19:00 in the Saló de Cent at Plaça de Sant Jaume. The event will be accessible to people with hearing disabilities, with sign language interpretation and on-screen transcription provided. The appointment, confirmed by Barcelona City Council, marks a shift in tone from last year’s politically charged speech by actress Emma Vilarasau. This year’s choice highlights the city’s long-standing neighbourhood businesses, particularly those facing challenges such as rising rents, generational succession issues, and competition from large chains and online retailers.
Legacy of Celler de Gelida
The Falgueras family represents the fourth and fifth generations of Celler de Gelida, a wine shop founded in 1895 on Carrer Vallespir in Sants. The business has operated continuously for over 130 years and is recognised for its extensive selection of wines and sparkling wines from around the world, with a special focus on Catalan varieties. Antoni Falgueras has received multiple honours, including the French Medal of Agricultural Merit and the Spanish Food Award from the Ministry of Agriculture. He is also a founding member of Mestres Cellerers de Catalunya and the Catalan Sommeliers Association, and holds memberships in numerous Catalan and French wine brotherhoods. His daughter Meritxell, representing the fifth generation, is a trained sommelier and journalist. She will join her father in delivering the speech, symbolising the continuity of family-run commerce in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods.
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A Voice for Local Traders
Meritxell Falgueras stated that her role aims to represent "all the merchants of Barcelona" and described the city as a "great open-air shopping centre" due to its vibrant commercial hubs and the personalised service offered by local shops. Mayor Jaume Collboni said their selection symbolises generational succession and the resilience of small businesses in preserving the identity of Barcelona’s districts. The opening speech will be broadcast live via betevé, the city’s public television channel. Full festival programming, running from 23 to 27 September, includes free circus performances at Glòries, the Fòrum and the Olympic Port, with the Piromusical taking place for the first time at Bogatell beach.
Primary sources: barcelona.cat, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by elperiodico.com, elDiario.es Catalunya, cope.es, es.ara.cat, cellerdegelida.net, lavanguardia.com, en.ara.cat, ecomercioagrario.com, irishexaminer.com, El Periódico Barcelona.
