La Semana Santa en España (Holy Week in Spain)

As we all know, we have just entered the week called the “Holy Week” according to the Christian calendar. It is a period during which we reflect somberly on our past. In Spain, this period is observed differently. They have a ceremony in which they carry out what I would call a “somber procession”.

By any chance you are a tourist, and you want to visit Spain, this is definitely one of the events you don’t want to miss.

Why and how do they celebrate La Semana Santa

In all parts of Spain (Andalucía, Granada, Aragón, Valencia, Castilla y Léon, La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia, Salamanca,etc) la Semana Santa, which is the reliving or the reenactments of the Passion of Christ Jesus, is a strong rooted tradition which dates back to the Middle Ages, it is a period during which repentant sinners (los Penitentes) atone for their sins.

To do this, processions known as the penance processions are carried out from the first day of the Holy Week (Palm Sunday –domingo de ramos) to the last day (Easter day - La Pascua), when the tempo of the ceremony changes to a joyous one. The performance of this, involves the Associations, “Cofradías” (Brotherhoods) and their members known as the “nazarenos o penitents” parading from the starting point which is always the church to the city’s cathedral.

The penitent sinners taking part in the Semana Santa processions robe themselves with the traditional Capirote (a tall hat in the shape of a cone or in plain form which covers their faces with two openings over the eye area for clear vision and with belted or non belted colorful robes).

In some cities like Málaga, women participate robed in black and “mantilla” (a black lace veil worn over the head), holding lit candles.

The processions are usually accompanied by solemn music (wailing of “flamenco inspired” Saetas ) to express their sorrows or the procession might be accompanied by a band.

For the processions to be complete, giant thrones (tronos), religious statues of Jesus Christ and Mary (Mother of Jesus Christ) are carried on their “pasos” (floats) through the streets, sometimes they carry heavy crosses or light ones with lit candles on top.

There is also the adornment of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s statue with flowers. Por ejemplo in Andalucía; Málaga.

However, my favorite part of all these is the food. As we all know Spaniards have a wonderful eating culture; so during this period apart from the popular Easter egg, they have different varieties of food they eat:

Torrijas