|
|
|
Gaucin Festivals |
|
| |
Gaucin |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carnaval de Gaucin
The carnival features chirigotas, which are fantastically costumed groups that sing of current events in a humorous way. A party held on the main square with an orchestra goes on until dawn. The carnival is the fiesta of the people. It is a reaction against the abstentions and prohibitions of all types. This fiesta has always attempted to break with social order by the anonymity of wearing masks and fancy dress. During the Civil War, General Franco abolished the Carnival in rebel areas. After the war there was still much opposition to the Carnival by the rulers so Franco abolished the Carnival in 1937, now thankfully it's back.
Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Palm Sunday procession and Mass. Holy Thursday and Holy Friday and procession. Good Friday: Way of the Cross, Holy Office and procession. Saturday: Easter vigil. The Easter week processions compete with one another in luxury and splendour. The parades leave each of the town's churches to wind slowly around the streets, with their lifelike statues of Christ on the Cross and his mother the Virgin Mary in mourning. The processions are organised by the religious brotherhoods, representing guilds of tradesmen or other groupes. They spend all year long preparing the elaborate costumes and decorations. This is a serious fiesta and fireworks are not permitted. Drinking and celebrating is still fround upon by many.
Toro de Cuerda
One of the most popular festivals of the year is the Toro de Cuerda (bull on a rope). On Easter Sunday, two bulls, one at 10 a.m. and another at 4 p.m., are let loose to run through the town. Held back from doing too much damage by a rope tied to the bull's horns that is held by a very brave group, the men of the town run in front of the bull and try to touch one of the bull's horns. Lots of fun with feasting, drinking and hilarity.
Corpus Christi
The Catholic feast celebrating the presence of the body of Christ in the holy wafer) is held in June, beginning on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. A solemn and magnificent procession bears the consecrated host through the streets. Although Corpus Christi is celebrated everywhere in Andalucia, it is most famous in Granada, especially for the Granada Festival of Music and Dance, which supplants the passion plays that traditionally followed the religious rituals. Representatives of the local government walk side by side with the churchmen, followed by the people, along streets strewn with sweet-smelling cypress branches and flowers.
Feria de Gaucin (The Annual Fair)
4 - 7 August. A vestige of the ancient livestock fair, the event is now in honor of patron Virgen de las Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows). It features casetas, rides for children, restaurant stalls, orchestras, dancing, performances by local groups etc. Feasting, drinking and dancing until dawn and later. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|