Spanish Fiestas & Folklore

Spain is one country that celebrates many festivals stemming from its many traditions and folklore. There are many occasions which the locals celebrate joyously in full costumes and merry making and there are festivals which are of a more solemn nature like the religious pilgrimages which are famous worldwide.

Traditions

Traditions are heavily inculcated into the hearts of the locals from centuries ago; one of the most celebrated fiestas from traditions is Semana Santa or Easterweek. It is celebrated in most of the major Spanish cities and towns with colorful and impressive processions.

Other festivals celebrated in Spain include the long celebration of Feria del Ganado of 10 days. There would be a lot of merry making with folkloristic groups performing many regional dances while great feasting happens simultaneously as it is a culinary festival.

Santiago celebrates the Apostle Saint James festival with its famous pilgrimage in July. Great fireworks follow the solemn procession with huge masses from all over Europe to join in this revered festivity.

Origins

Most fiestas in Spain are stemmed from folklore of ancient cultures which have impacted and influenced the nation. The various conquests of the nation from Iberians, Moors, Romans and Christian Re-Conquest have laid down their individual and unique traditions that have been entrenched into the lives of the inhabitants over the ages.

The Spanish fiestas are varied in characteristics, style, form and duration. They can be profoundly spiritual with a high solemnity while others can be quite informal or elaborate with full costumes or traditional attire. The Spanish fiestas are usually cheerful with a lot of merry making that comes with music, dancing, singing and fireworks.

For example, the Corpus Christi fiesta is celebrated in “Las Huelgas” monastery to commemorate the victory over the Moors in the year 1212. This is a joyous festival where a lot of merry making happens to fill the atmosphere with revelry through the colorful processions on the streets.

Almost all towns and cities in Spain would indulge in every fiesta celebrated in the nation for the locals love fiesta celebrations. They take every opportunity to live life to its fullness with spectacular processions ado
ed in traditional attire and beautifully decorated horses and coaches.

Many Spanish fiestas include bullfights and folklore dancing, singing and music with many musical performances. Espinosa de los Monteros performs an ancient pagan war dance ritual stemming from the earlier era’s influence. The month of September welcomes the Moorish dances known as “Canta la Mora”.