Spain is a country that keeps its traditions alive, as shown throughout the year they hold different festivals in commemoration of their culture. This beautiful land has a wonderful historical heritage that ranges from prehistory to the Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Visigoths, Muslims and the medieval kingdoms. Castles, cathedrals, cities, towns, monuments, theaters and museums that offer thousands of festivals. It is known for flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fabulous beaches; being for hundreds of years one of the cultural centers of Europe.
The main tradition in Spain is the bullfight, it is celebrated in the «San Isidro» festivities, held in Madrid; This practice is based on the fact that the bullfighter fights with the bull with elegance and with the intention that he sends it to be able to hit it with a sword and kill it.
Arms, feet, body, heart and a tap dance; this is how the Spanish define flamenco. A folk dance that combines music, voice and guitar. It dates from the 18th century, and is based on Andalusian music and dance. More than 50 “Palos” of flamenco can be counted. Each “Palo” has its own rhythm, harmony and, if it is a dance style, each one will be performed with a different dance.
In April, the Feria de Abril is celebrated in Seville. Here, flamenco is danced for a week full of singing and dancing, combined with drinking sherry and other delicious liquids from the area; accompanied by ham and old cheese among other foods. There is also the jot, it is a Balearic folk dance, guitars, drums, bass drum and bagpipes are required; This dance is very similar to the waltz. In Catalonia, a town in this country dances the sardana, another typical dance of the Catalans to allude to the sun, doing it every Sunday in the square.
If you have heard about the tomato war, it is also a tradition in Spain. Buñol is a town in Valencia, where every year, the Tomatina is celebrated on the last Wednesday of August; the funniest and most colorful tomato fight in the world. More than 60,000 people, 200 tons of tomato, in an hour of attack, great! If you go to Spain, worry that it will be during this month so that you can enjoy this great tomatina.
In short, Spain is an area of pilgrimages, colorful festivals where pilgrims make the pilgrimage on foot, sometimes on horseback to revere an image, combined with a procession, music, dances and excellent dishes. And speaking of processions, those of Holy Week, are the most characteristic manifestations of the Spanish, they take to the streets to share the Passion of Christ.
It is always a good time to travel, let yourself be conquered by the Mediterranean and friendly profile of the Spanish, indulge in sweetening its gastronomy, dance to the rhythm of flamenco and enjoy the tail of the bulls.