TONETA, GIANTESS OF MATARÓ

Toneta is the daughter of Robafaves and Geganta and the only member of the family from whom the date of origin is almost certainly known: 1853. It seems that she is one of the first giants, daughter of a couple of giants in Catalonia. This giant is called "gegantona" or "gegantoneta", and from here derives the current name: Toneta. In 1957, Toneta already appears with a long blonde hair giving it the young and modern look that everyone knows. She is dressed in pink and lilac tones and, like her mother, brings a bouquet of natural flowers in her right hand, while with her left hand, she takes her skirt.

Toneta's current construction was commissioned to Josep Maria Diamant y Montañés in 1964, who created new polyester volumes to reduce weight and improve resistance.

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. Toneta passes through the Solsonencs workshop of Manel Casserres, who maintains the metallic structures but makes a complete remodelling of the appearance using the cardboard again 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 Manuel Casserres himself renovated the wardrobe again.

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

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

Acts in which it participates: Toneta 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.