JOAN SERRA MINGOT

 

It is no secret that Spain is a country of ‘fiesta’. This does not mean that Spaniards are hardened revelers but, when a festival arrives, they celebrate it with passion and euphoria. The problem arises in months like April, thirty days when festivals follow each other. We would like to suggest you April's best festivals, which include flamenco, medieval battles, romantic traditions and religious fervor. So just go for it, organize your schedule and decide which festival is for you.

 

 SEMANA SANTA, Holy Week                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE?  Seville

WHEN?  From 13th to 20th of April

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?  Semana Santa is the week leading up to Easter Sunday. Semana Santa is the Spanish name for Easter. Members of local parishes carry ornate decorated floats depicting the Passion of Christ into the city cathedral. Holy Week features masked parades and enormous floats with Roman Catholic figures. It is a religious solemn festival that causes tears to those one who have a strong faith.

 

 DIA DE SANT JORDI, St. George's Day                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE?  Catalonia

WHEN?  23rd of April

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?  Saint George Day, April 23rd, is also celebrated in Catalonia, though modestly. The old tradition says that in this day, men have to give a red rose to women, and women present men with a book. In the Ramblas, kiosks of roses and books proliferate and many concerts are hold in the streets. Nowadays, the festivity has become a day of Catalan pride and the day of the beginning of the season of the Castellers (human tower member groups).

 

 MOROS I CRISTIANS, Moors and Christians                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE?  Alcoy (Alicante)

WHEN?  From 2nd to 5th of May

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?  Throughout four days, the festival commemorates the battles, combats and fights between Moors (or Muslims) and Christians during the period known as Reconquista. The festival develops among shots of gunpowder, parades with bombastic costumes loosely inspired by Medieval fashion, medieval music, and fireworks, and ends with the Christians winning a simulated battle around a castle. The day of the patron, St. George, is April 23rd but not to overlap with Easter festivities, this year the festival will be celebrated between the 2nd and the 5th of May.

 

 FERIA DE ABRIL, The April Fair                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHERE?  Seville

WHEN?  From 6th to 11th of May

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?  One of the most popular festivals in Seville, the Fería (the April Fair), is a much more jolly event than the Holy Week. Hundreds of tents and amusement park rides are set up for Seville's week-long Feria. The fairgrounds swell with locals dressed in traditional garb and booths selling libations and food. Live music fills the night air, and a festive mood prevails. Fireworks signal the final night of the celebration, sending the crowds into frenzied flamenco dancing.

 

 

 

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