In February, two events traditionally take place at Prats: the "Fête de l'ours" (in Catalan : "Festa de l'Ós", i.e. bear festival) and Carnaval. Both are full of fascinating traditions handed down over the years. During the Bear Festival, celebrated annually at the beginning of spring, the locals dress up as bears, covering themselves with soot or coal and oil, and "attacking" the onlookers, attempting to get everyone dirty. Others dress up as hunters, playing the role of "protectors". The festival ends with the "ball de l'os (bear dance).[http://anglophone-direct.com/event/fete-de-lours-prats-de-mollo/] There is a reference to this tradition in the Catalan author Joan-Lluís Lluís' novel "El dia de l'ós" (The Day of the Bear).