Laia is a municipal figure celebrating her 25th birthday this year. We’re going to tell you some of her best-kept secrets.

• She represents a thirteen-year-old girl who goes about dressed in fourth-century garb, the period in which, according to Barcelona legend, Santa Eulàlia lived.
• The little giant bears the saint’s attributes in her hands: the palm, a feature symbolising martyrdom, and the X-shaped cross, which signifies she was condemned to death. Her head bears a crown of natural flowers.
• The figure comes from a drawing by Carme Solé that was used for illustrating 1997 Santa Eulàlia festival’s programme and poster. Following that, the Barcelona Institute of Culture, Ciutat Vella District and the Ciutat Vella Giant and Beast Figures Coordinating Committee agreed to have a female little giant created, thereby enriching the city’s municipal festival imagery and heritage.
• The figure-maker Xavier Jansana was commissioned with creating Little Laia, following the draftswoman’s details for constructing the new figure.
• She made her debut on 12 February 1998 in the Laias procession, since when she has been carried and made to dance by the youngest members of Ciutat Vella’s giant-figures groups.
• The little giant Laia was given a her new outfit, following the line of the previous one, which made its debut during the 2019 Santa Eulàlia festivities. It was designed by Guillem Amorós, of Folk al Biaix.
• Under the protocol originally established for the little giant Laia, she can only go out for the Santa Eulàlia festivities. Even so, she has gone out for exceptional occasions outside the winter festivities.
• She can be visited during the year at the Palau de la Virreina’s lobby, where she is on permanent display.