Holiday Traditions and Related Foods : Semana Santa

According to Enforex, one of the largest spanish teaching organizations and travel site, the place to experience the world-famous festival Semana Santa (Holy week) is in Spain.

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The dates of the celebration differ on a yearly basis because the celebration is tied to a cosmic phenomenon. Ever since the Roman emperor Constantine the Great called the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., Easter is said to be the “first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere, Easter can never be celebrated before March 22.”

According to Enforex, cities, towns, and villages across all of Spain celebrate Semana Santa. Each city has its own unique Holy Week celebrations, but Seville is known to have the best experience.

Each celebration usually has two beautifully decorated floats, one of the Virgin and the other of a scene from Christ's Passion. There are up to forty men who haul the float on shoulders and control its motion. Those are accompanied by the music of coronets and drums.

Enforex states that thousands of nazarenos, or penitents, walk along with the float, some even barefoot, which is impressive because the parade usually lasts 14 hours. Some women and men dress up formally for the event.

According to Enforex, the beginning point of the history of the festival is the death of Christ.

A significant point in the history of the Semana Santa is 1521, when the Marqués de Tarifa returned to Spain from the Holy Land. After his journey, “he institutionalized the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross) in Spain and from that moment on this holy event was celebrated.” Over time, the celebration eventually broke into the various scenes of the Passion, with the incorporation of portable crosses and altars. This would eventually lead to the present celebration.

According to the University of South Carolina, during Semana Santa, the true Catholics do not eat meat. So, during the week, many restaurants serve fish and fresh vegetables as their meals of the day. “Bacalao con vegetales” (cod fish and vegetables) or “garbanzas con espinicas” (chickpeas and spinach) are some of the typical dishes. Also, rice pudding or “andalucia” is a popular dessert.