History Tells Us

More Spanish Festivals

Tamborrada, San Sebastian

Each year is made in the 19 and 20 January, the Basque city of San Sebastian for the more noisy parties in Spain. From midnight to midnight the city is alive with the sound of drums as groups of bands through the streets in honor of the patron saint of the city, strong rhythms on their drums and barrels. The origins of the festival are a bit confusing, but legend says that in 1720 a local baker was filling their barrels of water and began to sing and a group of girls passing started to hit the barrels to accompany him. A crowd soon gathered and the festival was born.

The festival begins with flag raising at midnight on 19 and 24 hours of travel, music and revelry send the city into a frenzy until the festival is to an end by the drummers of the Artisan "Union" at midnight the following day.

Week Cava d'Anoia Sant Sadurní

In the heart of Cava country in the region of Penedes in the northeast of Catalonia, the first Thursday of the month of September marks the beginning of the Cava Week, a child seven-day celebration of Spain s answer to champagne. The Catalan town of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia is the undisputed birthplace of cava, the city produces 85% of Spain s production of sparkling wines famous.

The festivities begin with the crowning of the Cava Queen at the start of the week, once crowned, is given a glass of the first pressing of the year's harvest – then begins a week of wine, food and concerts and events. In fact, it's all about the Cava, food, music and a cycle race of 300 men joined the fun. Possibly the most famous case of the week is the arrival of the train from Barcelona Cava. 1000 clubbers in the capital Catalan comes to the sleepy village with great pomp and fanfare as they are escorted to the homes of Cava and the City – the day out includes tastings, tours, wine cellar and a gourmet lunch before returning to the revelers on the train back to Barcelona.

Moors and Christians, Alcoy

It is celebrated everywhere in Spain and Moors Festival Christians (literally "Moors and Christians") to commemorate the many battles fought between the two parties to the "Reconquista" period of Spanish history. The most famous of these events takes place in the Valencian town of Alcoy around the day of Sant Jordi in April. Legend has it that St. George himself miraculously appeared in a battle as Alcoy and turned the tide in favor of Christians. In these days, the festival is the highlight of the year for the people of the city of Alcoy with no fewer than 28 armies Moors and Christians apart parading around in full medieval, military clothing. The procedure is taken very seriously by Alcoyano as they march in their companies over the day accompanied by bands. Mock battles also take place at various points throughout the festival culminating in a simulated battle around the castle s Alcoy.

Feria de Abril, Sevilla

Originally a livestock fair trade in the 19th century, Seville 's April Fair (Feria de Abril) is a one-week festival long held in the Andalusian city each year, attracts over 1,000,000 visitors. A seven-day celebration of bullfighting, flamenco and horsemanship clings only to the city two weeks after the completion of the actions most solemn Holy Week (Semana Santa). The locals dress in traditional clothing Andalusian women with stealing the show with his magnificent flamenco dresses and colorful, the men wear broad-brimmed "bolero" hats and short jackets cut. The focal point of the festival is the city of "Caletas" (Great temporary tents) is established each year – these stores are usually assigned to a political group or society with a dance floor and a bar where young and old the night dancing to the flamenco.

About the Author

Mike McDougall works for Babylon Idiomas, a Spanish language institute with schools in Spain [Barcelona, Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia], Argentina [Buenos Aires] and Costa Rica. Click here to learn more about Spanish courses.