Posted by on Apr 17, 2019 | 18 comments

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I think there might be something on the tele about Holy Week…)

No, no, not THAT Santa, but the week of holiness here and in Spain and other countries that is celebrated before Easter, during which there are processions and floats and hooded penitents and so much more.

Because it’s just around the corner, Papa and mama went to Spain a few years ago to see what happens in various cities and the processions were really amazing, all decorated with flowers and candles.  Someone told us that it takes a year to make one of the chariots.

The Virgin is the main character and the huge floats are carried by six or eight men on each side and there is a lovely rhythm to their walk and behind them, there are drums making a very unusual and haunting sound, da da dum, da da dum….(here is a pause)…da da dum, dum dum and it’s all very magical.

I wasn’t there of course, but mama gave me a few photos to put in today’s blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The streets are always lined with people watching the chariots go by.  It often takes hours…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one was especially beautiful, but all were spectacular.  I liked the ones with candles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this was a gypsy, singing to the Virgin as the float moved slowly through the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was the tapas that made me want to go!  Sardines, anchovies, you name it…