20th Century

In 1912, the first known filming of the Drac de Vilafranca was made, by Mr. Bolet, a cinematographic document of incalculable historical value. Years later, in 1929, the Drac participated in the Barcelona Universal Exhibition, representing Vilafranca at one of the most important international events of the era, with carriers such as Martí Colomer, l'Antonio, el Negre and el Viseres.

The Civil War and the post-war period meant an interruption and a difficult resumption for the Festa Major. In 1939, celebrations resumed with a very small colla of 5 members, dressed in shirts, sashes and rope-soled shoes, accompanied by flabiol and tamborí.

The most profound transformation of the century came in December 1979, with the founding of the 'Els Amics del Drac' association, a collective of carriers who took on the management and preservation of the Drac without economic compensation, in the spirit of the new festive culture that was emerging with democracy. That same year, on 23 September, the Drac de Vilafranca participated in the Mostra de Bèsties Fantàstiques at Barcelona's Mercè festivities, an event that was the seed of the Correfoc celebrated since 1981.

In 1981, the offering of the dances inside the church of Santa Maria during the Mass on 30 August was established. In 1982, els 'Amics del Drac' organised the exhibition 'El Drac' in the chapel of Sant Joan. In 1984 they co-organised the show 'Bestiari fantàstic i popular de Catalunya' in the same chapel. In 1996, the Agrupació del Bestiari Festiu i Popular de Catalunya was established, of which els 'Amics del Drac' are founding members. That same year, the maker Dolors Sans built the Drac Petit in fibreglass, weighing 25 kg.