Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

34  INTRODUCING NOR THERN SP AIN
NORTHERN SPAIN

THROUGH THE YEAR

Most Spaniards love a fun-filled fiesta. attract crowds of tourists. Many farming
In Northern Spain every town or village or fishing towns also celebrate the harvest
has its patron saint whose day is celebrated or their catch with fairs, colourful rituals
with parades, corridas, singing and firework and displays of local produce. There are
displays. Major religious festivals, such as plenty of music, theatre, dance and film
Semana Santa (Holy Week), are occasions festivals, many intern ationally renowned,
for spectacular celebrations. Some fiestas, like the San Sebastián Film Festival.
such as the Sanfermines in Pamplona or Check the dates with local tourist offices,
St James’ Day in Santiago de Compostela, as some vary from year to year.

San Vicente de la Barquera
(Canta bria). A statue of the
Virgin is carried across the
harbour in a procession
of illuminated and decorated
boats, to bless the sea.
May
White-water Rafting Day
on the Esca River (1–2 May),
Burgui (Navarra). Prominent
figures from the world of
science, sport or culture are
presented with the Golden
Rafter Award.
La Victoria (1st Fri May),
Jaca (Pyrenees). Parades,
banquets and medieval jousts
celebrating a legen dary
8th-century battle against
the Moors.
Wild horses brought in from the countryside during the Rapa das Bestas Fiesta del Santo (10–15
May), Santo Domingo de
Semana Santa (Mar–Apr). la Calzada (La Rioja). The
Spring Holy Week is celebrated in feast of the town’s patron
The inhabitants of Northern grand style. Colourful pro- saint, who was believed
Spain enjoy outdoor life in cessions are led by religious to protect pilgrims travelling
spring. People turn out on brotherhoods in brilliantly to Santiago, is cele brated
streets and meet in bars and coloured robes and hoods. with three days
cafés. Fields burst forth with The biggest processions of colourful dances
wild flowers after the winter are those in Northern and pro cessions.
cold. Eastertime abounds in Castile and Navarra. In the most famous,
colourful processions. young girls carry
April baskets of fresh bread
March Aberri Eguna on their heads. Hearty
Festa da Arribada (1st weekend (Easter Sunday), feasts are centred on
Mar), Baiona (Ga licia). The re- the Basque “the Saint’s Lunch”
enactment of the arrival of the Country. Basque of lamb and
Pinta – the 1493 caravel that National Day. chickpeas.
brought news of the discovery Güevos Pintos Día das Letras
of America – accompanied (Easter), Langreo Galle gas (17
by a medieval fair. and Siera May), Ga licia.
Fiesta Santa Áurea (11 Mar), (Asturias). Easter Celebra tion of
Villavelayo (La Rioja). The feast festival of the Galician
of the town’s patron saint, painted eggs. language, in
with dancing to bagpipes La Folía (1st or 2nd La Folía in literature
and castanets. Sun after Easter), San Vicente de la Barquera and culture.

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