Viva La Fiesta

The Ferria & Fiesta

In addition to the well publicised Spanish Fiestas, such as running with the bulls in Pamplona  an eight day festival beginning on 6th July in honour of the patron saint of Navara San Fermin. The origins of this Fiesta is unclear, but it can be traced as far back as the 13th century. There are different stages of this festival including, The Encierrro which is the heart of the Fiesta starting with the strike of the clock at eight in the morning at San Cernin. Following, chants to San Fermin. This Fiesta continues to attract controversy, especially with regard to the welfare of the bulls and the injuries to the public which are reported each year.

In August each year the worlds biggest Food fight happens in the small town of Bunol a province of Valencia. The festival known as La Tomatina, where basically every participant is pelted with tomatoes. This festival is now restricted to ticket holders only following safety issues. There are a few rules that must be obeyed.

1. The tomatoes must be squashed prior to throwing to avoid injury.
2.  Nothing but tomatoes must be thrown.
3. The trucks/lorries take priority.
4. After the second shot no more tomatoes should be thrown.

Almost each month throughout Spain you will most likely find a different Festival. Semana Santa or Holy week (Easter) is celebrated all over the country beginning the preceding Easter Sunday. Processions are common with men in pointy hats (Nazareno) and brass bands walk through the streets from their parish church carrying a statue of Christ or the Virgin Mary. There are different fraternities in the procession identified by different colours. This is a week full of festivities, a national holiday.

Moors & Christians-Mojacar (Andalusia) is Mojacars biggest fiesta and celebrates the surrender of Mojacar and surrounding villages to a Christian King at the end of the 15th century. This is an event that was a peaceful and negotiated surrender. Residents and holiday-makers in Mojacar-divide themselves into different guilds called cabilas and are either Christians or Arabs, and dressed in very colourful costumes. There are no winners in this festival and is all in the spirit of the original ceremony. The festival is in Mojacar in June each year.

In each town throughout Spain there is some sort of celebration which gets neighbours together, dancing, eating and having fun. Children are especially encouraged to join in the festivities. My own local village San Francisco is holding a dinner to raise funds for the Fiesta, which is a similar occurrence throughout the villages in Andalusia. The fiesta starts this year on 28th-30th August. 

Huercal Overa- The Fiesta of Huercal Overa happens the second weekend in October. It is a large colourful event with many activities. The children dress up in traditional Spanish dress and is a very smart event. There are many stall selling chicken & potatoes and the smells as you walk around are fantastic. Music is very much on the agenda, together with a fabulous fun fare and rides for the children. It is a noisy event and not to be missed.