Xicolatada facts for kids
The Xicolatada is a special yearly festival. It takes place in a village called Palau-de-Cerdagne. This village is in a region of France called Languedoc-Roussillon. People have celebrated the Xicolatada every year on August 16 for more than 300 years! It's a very old tradition.
How the Xicolatada Started
Long ago, in the region of Catalonia, August 15 was a big festival day. People would celebrate a lot. Sometimes, they felt a bit unwell the next morning.
To help them feel better, the village's chocolatier had a special idea. He would offer them a cup of hot chocolate. He said it was a great way to feel better.
Over time, this helpful habit became a tradition. It grew into a custom that everyone looked forward to.
The Festival Today
Today, a special group helps keep the tradition alive. They make sure the hot chocolate is given out every year. This happens on August 16, exactly at 11 in the morning.
The chocolate is made in a very traditional way. It's brewed in huge cauldrons. These cauldrons are heated over a wood fire. It's a big event!
Many people come to the festival. In 2007, for example, about 3,000 people drank 800 litres of chocolate. Lots of visitors and tourists come to the village for this sweet celebration.
The Master Chocolatiers
To make sure the tradition continues, the festival organisers created a special group. They are called the Mestres xicolaters. This means "master chocolatiers."
These master chocolatiers are very important. They know the secret recipes for the special hot chocolate. They keep these recipes a secret to protect the tradition. This group also plans the festival. They don't share the exact schedule too early. This adds to the excitement of the event.
See also
In Spanish: Xicolatada para niños
