Same tradition, different ways of celebrating it: Semana Santa and Easter

Hi guys! How are you?

Today I will talk about the "Semana Santa" (Holy Week) in Spain, because it is a very important religious tradition in our country.

The "Semana Santa" coincides with the last week of Lent of the Catholic calendar. 

The main attraction of "Semana Santa" in Spain is the processional output. The images kept by the churches during the year go out to the street for a tour, accompanied by beautiful floral ornaments. The "hermandades" prepare the processions throughout the year, so that the day you go out to the street is very beautiful and decorated. Virgins, Christs, Nazarenes or Crucified, among others, represent in each exit the Passion and death of Jesus of Nazareth. In the streets the whole town gathers to see it in its path and pray.

Here you have a video where you can see it better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgsyhppgHR0 

                       

    

Processions usually weigh between 200 and 400 kilos. Under each process there are about 20 men or women who carry these processions on their shoulders and walk around the city for several hours. The people who go down the procession are called "costaleros", and each one supports between 30 and 50 kilos (depending on the size of the procession).                                   

 The "penitentes" are people who accompany the processions. The attire is a tunic and a cape accompanied by a "capirote", that is, a type of hat with a conical shape that, in most cases, covers the face. Also known as "penitentes" are responsible for precede the images carrying candles and incense.

                                  

Each procession carries its musical accompaniment. Throughout the year the different bands rehearse the typical melodies. In the following link you can listen to some examples:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frP07qHybJk

This year I could not be this week so spatial in my city, but hey, I've lived the Slovenian tradition! I was able to paint some eggs with onion skin, I leave you here as I stayed, I think they are not bad to be the first time.

 

In "Semana Santa" we have a delicious dessert called "torrijas", if you're interested I'll leave here the recipe of my grandmother hehehehe, please if you try to make it send me a photo or leave it in the comments!

INGREDENT:

Toast

600 ml. milk

3 eggs

Cinnamon to sprinkle.

Cinnamon on branch.

100 gr. of sugar

Olive oil

PREPARATION:

1- In a saucepan, boil the milk with 2 cinnamon sticks and sugar.

2- dip the bread in the milk until it is ben soaked

3- Then beat the eggs and bathe the toast in the eggs 

4- Fry the toast in oil for a moment, not too much or too oily

5- Finally put them on a plate and put a little honey on top

I hope you liked this post, if you have doubts or if you want to continue learning about Spanish traditions you can write it in the comments for me to know.

I hope you have a good week, bye!