A Country of Festivals - Think Easter in Spain

What would living in a country that doesn't have so many festivals and celebrations be like? It's hard to imagine given the nature of the Spanish culture and their long history of celebrating just about everything. In fact, Spain is well known for its customs and traditions that appeal to even those who do not live here full time. Witness the fact that each festival we host is attended by hundreds, if not thousands of people from across Europe, who love cutting loose and kicking off their Sunday shoes to enjoy themselves.

Many of our streets and squares are chockfull of highly animated activities year round and even the locals just love it. What a lovely excuse to pop out and participate in the latest festival doings. This month of course is one of the bigger festivals of the year – the celebrations for Easter. Each city has their own special theme and spin on this holiday, but suffice it to say, if you want a good parade, lots of colour and entertainment and a joyous few days of celebrations, you are in luck.

Whether you are in Barcelona, Sitges or even Seville, you will be royally entertained and without a doubt, drawn into the infectious gaiety of all the events in each location you visit.

 In Barcelona, while their events might not be quite as splashy as in Seville or even Sitges, you will delight in their celebrations. Their Easter processions/parades are quite spectacular and if you have a camera, you will have something to talk about for days. While you are watching the parades, take a peek in the cake shops and look for the Easter "monas" on display.

Monas have a neat history, and at one time were a dry cake (torta) that had a boiled egg perched on top. These mona cakes were presented to children by their godfathers. These days, oh where did the old traditions go, most children get the usual chocolate concoctions. Godmothers also had a role to play in traditions as well, by giving their grandkids a palma leaf to take to the cathedral for blessing. The leaf was then left out to dry on the balcony for the rest of the year.

(Pssssst! We also hear that Barca stars Eto and Messi will be seen at this year's celebrations in Barcelona. Bring cameras and lots of enthusiasm for the games.)

If you have your heart set on Easter in Seville, then you are in for a treat, as they have held such festivities since the 16th century and are world famous for those festivals. Would you believe that close to 50,000 people don traditional robes and participate in the over 58 parades during the celebrations? It's a fact; there is a procession of some sort every early evening and later at night.

Here's how that works. Every brotherhood, and the church they represent, set out on an established parade route through the city, but all must go through the one official section (Calle Campana) and finish up passing through the Cathedral. They then go back to their own church by a different route. During the processions – wow, what a show you will experience. You'll thrill to the saetas, the flamenco songs sung from balconies while the procession is passing. These songs are sung a cappella to send an extra shiver up your spine at the amazing talent.

Good Friday is the crucial day for Seville's festivities. In the evening, the most honored of statues wend their way through the streets – Jesus del Gran Poder, la Macarena, La Esperanza de Triana and elCristos de los Gitanos. Never will you see such an astonishing crowd, who wait until all hours of the day and night to admire these striking statutes. It's quite the emotional party.

Thinking about spending Easter in Sitges? Then you are in luck, and will partake in some of the most joyous and splashy fiestas ever. The death of Christ is commemorated in the form of music, art and religious devotions that will make your heart soar with the thrill of it all. Again, there are various Easter brotherhoods, dressed in their distinct robes, that parade through the streets carrying much beloved religious statues (pasos). As they proceed, they are accompanied by the sounds of drums and music.

Ahhh Spain – the delight and excitement of choices, festivals, camaraderie, good fellowship and a darn fine party here and there.