MANELÓ, GIANT OF MATARÓ

Maneló is the husband of Toneta, the daughter of Robafaves and Geganta. Maneló, son of Terrassa, marries the "gegantona" of Mataró in the middle of a great festive ceremony during the main festival of "Les Santes" in 1950.

The name, of an unknown origin, is inherited from the son of the former giants of Mataró (at that time, Manueló), according to the written references of the baron of Maldà. The fact that it is from Terrassa is due to an exchange of favors between the two municipalities: the Robafaves Family goes to the big meeting of giants that takes place on July 2 in Terrassa and, in exchange, the giants of Terrassa come on the day of "Les Santes" to their son's house as in-laws.

The construction of the current Maneló was commissioned to Josep Maria Diamante y Montañés and designed by the Barcelona sculptor Lluís Sabadell in 1950. In 1964 a new remodelling was commissioned, creating new volumes with polyester to reduce weight and improve strength.

In 1984, Mataró City Council approved a new regulation, and the Giants are included as part of the city's public heritage and its institutional representation, which is why an important process of innovations in the figure aspect is being carried out. Maneló passes through the Solsonencs workshop of Manel Casserres who maintains the metallic structures but makes a complete remodelling of the appearance reusing the cardboard for the head and hands, without leaving the fibreglass. A new wardrobe is also made, recalling the style of the 1950s by Llorenç Illa, despite the fact that in 1992 Manel Casserres himself renovated the wardrobe again.

In 2014, the Town Hall of Mataró renovates Maneló's wardrobe with Manuel Casserres, who opts for a continuous wardrobe line, without major changes.

Maneló dances to the sound of "flabiolaires" in the parades and the dormant ones, perpetuating the tradition of the city. In "La Dormida", Maneló dances with Toneta "El Xotis d' en Borina" repertoire of the "flabiolaire" Quirze Perich. He then dances with Robafaves, Geganta and Toneta "El Ball de Quatre" by Carles Arabia. All these dances are a choreography of Montserrat Calsapeu.

Acts in which it participates: Maneló participates in the majority of acts of "Les Santes", Festa Major de Mataró; la Crida, el Desvetllament Bellugós, l’Anada a Ofici, la Passada, Anada a la Residència Sant Josep, el No n’hi ha prou, l’Anem a tancar i and also goes out for the Day of Sant Jordi.