Every year, in the start of spring, two weeks after Semana Santa (Easter, Holy Week), Seville, the capital of Andalusia, celebrates the La Feria de Abril festival. This is an urban joyful festival that turns the city, for a whole week, to a place full of happiness.
In spite of the fact that this holiday is mainly familial one, it is expressed by mass happiness of color, music and movement. During the festival days, colorful street parades take place.
In the parades horsemen with large hats ride together with their spouses who wear colored dresses, beautiful carriages with its coachman and passengers who wear traditional dresses, dancing groups in colorful cloths dance folklore Andalusian dancings.
The events are held nonstop for long hours. From early evening to dawn it is possible to hear, at the fairground, music, applauds and the knocks of the flamenco dancers' shoes.
During the festival's seven days, the city is crowded with guests, locals and tourists. The city hotels are fully booked (it is recommended to book a room in advance). During the days, Seville's residents can be seen riding on horses or travel in horse' harnessed carriages according to Spanish tradition.
|
