Barcelona’s neighbourhood of Torre Baró marked this year’s La Mercè festival with a colourful recreation of one of the most iconic episodes in its history — the 1978 ‘hijacking’ of the number 47 bus.
The theatrical homage, organised by Pallassos Sense Fronteres (Clowns Without Borders), paid tribute to Manolo Vital, a local bus driver who diverted the route 47 bus to Torre Baró in protest at the lack of public transport to the area. The action, which took place on 7 May 1978, ultimately forced authorities to extend bus services to the community.
The performance began at 10.30am at Estació del Nord, where a group of clowns and actors from the film El 47 staged the symbolic hijack. The bus then made its way up to Torre Baró, accompanied by a lively batucada before arriving at Parc de l’Aqüeducte.
Well-known faces including Andreu Buenafuente, Sílvia Abril and Tortell Poltrona attended the festivities, which featured circus, music and comedy performances by volunteers. Later in the afternoon, the film El 47 — released last year to considerable box office success — was screened in the neighbourhood.
This year’s recreation also coincides with the 47th anniversary of the original act of defiance, highlighting how one man’s determination won public transport for his neighbours and cemented a legacy that remains celebrated nearly five decades later.
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