Last week Christians celebrated Holy Week and no country celebrates this event quite like Spain. In particular, Sevilla is known for its Holy Week events that draw around 100,000 visitors during the week. Starting the Sunday before Easter many processions pass through the streets of Sevilla, each devoted to a scene in the life of either Jesus or his mother, Mary. This float, or paso, is carried by costaleros, who use their lower neck and back to withstand the heavy weight and usher the float through the tiny, zigzagging streets. Two of my friends in Sevilla were costaleros and their preparation for the processions was rigorous. Their necks were red for months! Accompanying the float are penitents wearing long robes and tall, narrow, cone-shaped hoods to mask their identity. The image is very moving and they symbolize the act of penitence for sins committed. The processions occur across the city, night and day, all week long and throughout the country, but with the largest and most elaborate celebration in Sevilla. Holy Week is a time for Sevillanos to be with their families, in the streets of their beloved city. Even those not particularly religious take part in the action of Holy Week, or Semana Santa, because it is as much of a tradition and community event as religious act.
It's a pretty complicated scene to explain and it's something that's very different in person but hopefully this youtube clip helps give you an idea: Semana Santa, Sevila
Posted by: Clare, Seville, Spain, Spring 2007
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