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The History of Spanish Festivals
Most countries celebrate history with festivals, occasions when people come from near and far to show respect and homage to someone or something important. Spain is certainly no different, being a country that has long hosted colorful and meaningful festivities. We wanted to provide information pertaining to some of the better-known festivals coming out of Spain.
Las Fallas, Valencia
Considered as one of the most, unique festivals in Spain, Las Fallas actually began as a day of feasting for the patron saint of carpenters known as St. Joseph. However, over time this particular festival changed into an incredible five-day celebration of fire. The city of Valencia is a beautiful but also quiet place in Spain where approximately 500,000 people reside. During the five-day festival, this town explodes with activity and about three million people.
The name Las Fallas translates to “the fires”, which is the exact focus of the festival. This festival involves the building and then destruction of statues made form wood, plaster, and cardboard. These homemade statues are placed throughout the parks and intersections, hitting 350 of the primary tourist spots. Known as “ninots”, the statues are large and quite detailed. In fact, people take as long as six months to create these statues, some so large that cranes must position them.
Once the statues are in position, they will remain there until La Crema, the day of March 19. Then sometime in the early evening hours, holes are created in the statues, followed by them being stuffed with fireworks. Chanting can be heard throughout the streets, followed by the extinguishing of streetlights. The ninots are then set on fire at midnight. Las Fallas is fascinating but also controlled in that firemen, called Bomberos, allow burning while still protecting the beautiful city of Valencia. This particular ritual originated from pagans during the 16th century who celebrated the new spring when crops could be planted.
Feria de Abril, Sevilla
This springtime festival is another that you should experience. In the town of Sevile, the celebration lasts for seven days, which is attended by more than one million people. Dating back to 1847, the festival began as a trade fair for cattle. However, Feria de Abril evolved, becoming a time of song and dance. Temporary tent cities are erected, known as casetas, which are colorful and highly decorated with lanterns. The evening hours consist of flamenco dancing with elaborate and colorful costumes.
Then to help people after long partying, ER 77 is a place where beds are set up and the floors covered with buckets of wine are poured. Although dancing and music are key elements of La Feria Abril, this weeklong festival is filled with other activities to include horse and carriage parades, strolling singers, guitar players, bullfighting, and more.
Semana Santa, Andalucia
Semana Santa is also a seven-day celebration with a spiritual meaning. During this festival, the streets are filled with parades and musicians. People associated with the “brotherhood” join the procession, carrying candles, banners, or rods. Floats are carried by costaleros, which typically display various Biblical scenes. Then following these thrones are nazarenos, which are people who are dressed in tunics, hoods, and masks while the women stick with traditional attire. The floats exit and enter a particular church, symbolizing the merging of art and religion.
This Spanish festival dates back to the 16th century but remains a popular venue today. If you want to experience something original, colorful, and with beautiful music, Semana Santa is it. You will find that people become quite emotional during the festival, as they listen to the rhythmic beating of drums and watch the procession of banners and floats.
