Every year the residents of Verges (Catalunya, Spain) perform a very mysterious procession. As part of the Easter celebrations this procession takes place on Maundy Thursday. It is part of a theatrical representation of the life and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. filled with ancient symbolism. Nowadays, it is composed of ten characters. Five skeletons who dance through the streets to the haunting sound of a beating drum. The main part of The Dance of the Death is performed by two adult characters, one with a scythe-bearing the inscription “Nemini Parco” (death forgives no-one) and another with a black flag with the inscription “lo temps es breu” (life is short). There are also three children, two skeletons who carry a dish with ashes; and a third dancer with an ancient clock without hands. The exact reasons for this have been lost in the history of this centuries-old tradition.

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