Hi!
My name is Ester, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Madrid, Spain. I will be a new author on the blog.
I’ve been studying English since I was 5 years. I would be very grateful If you could correct my mistakes.. I’m here to share with you the culture of my country, or my view of the country.
I’m doing my teacher training. I love music, dancing, and singing. I like to watch HIMYM, The big bang theory and Glee.
So, Let’s start… Today you will learn about the holidays and celebrations in Spain. Let’s go month by month
January
The 1st January is New Year Day, and we usually eat with the family.
The 5th January takes place the cabalgata de los Reyes It is a parade of floats symbolizing the coming of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem. In Spain is the day when gifts are exchanged. it’s very special for children cause there are a lot of toys for them, and presents for the adults, of course.
February
14th we celebrate St. Valentine’s day. It’s up to the couple how they celebrate it: with a present, with a surprise, a dinner. Some people find this day materialist.
Carnival:
such a colorful party, with costumes and parties everywhere. Children dress up at school. There are a lot of parades, and contests. Our best Carnival is Cadiz’s Carnival: where they have a contest of chirigotas. each chirigota create a song with humor about national news. An example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5zQhBnCzXg
March:
Las fallas: (10th-19th) It takes place in Valencia. Each neighbourhood of the city has an group of people, that works all year long and produces a construction known as a falla which is eventually burnt. Is a festival in commemoration of Saint Joseph.
Easter: Each city and town has its own accent on its celebrations. They all differ but in common they all colour, culture, music, all with a very religious meaning. Everywhere, processions make their way through the streets, carrying religious icons and symbols of their faith. Seville has the most beautiful images and there are over 100 of these images.
April
La feria de abril de Sevilla, a huge party with the stereotypes of Spain(flamenco and toros)
May: Worker’s day and San Isidro(local party in Madrid. There is a festival. People dress up like chulapos/as. Chulapos and chulapas are the real citizens of Madrid, those whose families have lived in Madrid for generations. In the local festivity of San Isidro on the 15th of May the get dressed with these typical costumes)
July:
The festival of San Fermín (7th-14th July) in the city of Pamplona, The festival starts by setting off the pyrotechnic "chupinazo". End at midnight of 14 July, with the singing of the Pobre de Mi. Its most famous event is the encierro, or the running of the bulls. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFK-A4uTw4s
August:
La tomatina: is a festival that is held in the Valencian town of Buñol. The participants throw tomatoes and get involved in this tomato fight purely for fun. The festival has its origin in a street fight in 1945.
In August every town has his own religious festivals, and verbenas.
October:
El dia de la Hispanidad: celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, It’s a national holiday and also the Day of the Armed Forces celebrated each year with a military parade in Madrid.
Halloween: not very common, but some people dress up, and go to the pubs to have some fun.
November:
All Saints' Day: people often go to cemeteries to make flower offerings
December:
Dia de la Constitucion Española: 6th December. Is a holiday in Spain and various events are held in honor of the 1978 constitution.
22th December: It Is not a holiday, but If you have a ticket you could win one of the biggest prizes of the National Lottery ”El Gordo”. The whole country has the hope to win a prize.
Christmas Eve. We have dinner with the extended family and we play to some table-games
Christmas: we exchange the presents that Santa has brought us.
New Year’s Eve: We have dinner with the closer family, and at midnight we eat 12 grapes. Then we drink champagne. the young people, from age 18, usually go out with their friends after midnight
We don't have any typical food for those dates. Some roast in the oven, potatoes, ...
I hope that you like my post!:)