Feria in Sevilla

La feria is one of the most anticipated weeks out of the whole year for Spaniards. Why, you ask? Because it’s a week long festival, where no one works or goes to school, and basically it’s one giant fiesta. This is why Katie and I were able to travel all week because we didn’t have classes either. Anyway, I’m sure you’ve seen the traditional Spanish flamenco dresses before; well, the women wear basically the same style of dress all week during feria, but with much more vibrant colors. Everyone dresses up and heads to the neighborhood of Los Remedios, where all of the action takes place. To signify the start of feria, the Spaniards light up the giant portada, or entrance way, to the festival. There are hundreds of casetas that line the streets which are basically just private tents that the Spanish people rent to have their parties. The “tents” are so elaborately decorated that you would never think they were tents at all. Inside the casetas, the Spanish people dance the Sevillanas, which is the traditional dance of Sevilla. As if the Spaniards don’t stay out late already during any other time of the year, during the week of feria, everyone stays out until 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 in the morning, just dancing the night away... kids included! There are also so many food stands, games, and carnival rides, making it an even bigger party! Luckily Katie and I were able to catch the last weekend of feria, and even though we didn’t wear a typical Sevillana dress or get invited into any of the casetas, we still had a great time! We took lots of pictures, rode on one of the rides, and ended our evening with some churros con chocolate... so yummy!

The following day was Sunday which meant that the feria would officially be over. Katie, Dan, and I walked down to the Guadalquivir RIver just before midnight to catch the fireworks which signified the end. It was a beautiful ending to a great week, but the following day was Monday which meant back to school for us!