By Nancy Todd
An Old Kind of Easter Parade: Holding candles, thousands of people line the streets in many cities in Spain to watch Semana Santa processions. Especially elaborate in Southern Spain, these Easter processions celebrate the death and rebirth of Christ.
Easter In Spain
I have seen grandstands and white plastic chairs set up in Seville along the streets for this special event, many of which are for sale. Hotels fill months in advance.
Holy Figures: History in Spain is played out with centuries old rituals as holy figures are carried to cathedrals by men in brotherhood societies. These coastalers wear shoulder pads to carry the heavy, ancient wooden figures which are dressed in brocades and silks. On lookers view silently and weep; I am assuming with penitence. Some processions continue through the night. I have watched with awe and frankly find the whole thing weird and without joy. Ok, Christ died, and he had many good lessons. Why not emphasize the positive stuff?
Fashionistas: Men, the nazarenos, wear black, white or purple robes with tall pointed hoods and slits for eyes – a fashion plate for the Klan. Eerie yet mesmerizing, something ancient is tapped inside of me at the sight of them. Garments are richly embroidered with crosses and other religious symbols. They walk barefoot to slow, penetrating sounds of drums and coronets. Hoods are taken off on Sunday to represent that Christ has risen.
Rain Dates: If it rains, the processions are canceled and no rain date in rescheduled. Seville, Toledo, Malaga, and Granada are cities with well known processions. Your Scoopettes like strange stuff. We find many Semanta Santa events wonderfully odd and another reason why we love living in Spain.
Chocolate Has Risen – Easter With People In Spain
By Nancy Todd
The Easter Rabbit does not hippety-hop down the bunny trail for people in Spain so the godparents tote the load. Godparents rank high on the Easter priority list as they bring gifts to the children.
Chocolate Mona for People In Spain
To add to the Easter celebration, or Semanta Santa, schools close for a week. Few people in Northern Spain attend church these days. It is also the custom for families to gather for tapas or a light meal on Easter Monday.
In Catalunya, there are two traditional gifts that Godparents buy. Elaborate cakes called monas, which are made of chocolate, can be huge. Some are pirate ships or castles. Other themes exhibited in the bakery windows are Mickey Mouse, Spiderman, fat chocolate eggs, motor cycles, and Obama images.
Easter - People in Spain
Flimsy, woven palm designs, called palmas, are you guessed it, made of palm fronds. Pale, beige palm designs can be as long as six feet and are usually bought at a florist or outdoor market. Sometimes you see these fronds twisted through balcony railings for weeks after Easter. Chocolate cake or a palm thingy? I know what Regina and I would choose.