Good Friday Easter Parade

[bussinspain]

I thought you might like to see how my town of Cocentaina celebrates Easter. Last night was day 1 of 4 of fiestas, parades, food and drink and of course Celebration. Only 5 of the 96 photos that I took last night for you to see

[Nicos]

Gosh!
Very dramatic and colourful!

( not so sure about the hoods...sort of bit uncomfortable-making)..what is the reason behind them?

4 days...gosh- that's a lot of organising!

[bearded bloke]

( not so sure about the hoods...sort of bit uncomfortable-making)..what is the reason behind them?

Stupid woman (spoken like Renee Artois) do you know nothing ? It is to disguise their dibbers, after the procession & by the light of the full moon there head to their plots & plant their chitted spuds which a hanging in bags under their cloaks.

[Lisasbolt]

It happens across all of Spain, dozens of processions down the streets with all the town dressed in their best. Music, people carrying statues. I have not bothered going this year as every year its the same. Easter is the biggest holiday in Spain with most taking a week off and everything shut up!!
I actually drove to Spain 3 years ago (thats when we moved) and accidentally came across one of these parades, i did not know what to think............ok its multicoloured but don´t you think it looks a little wrong the letter k comes to mind kkk.

[Bigmallly]

Nice but very Gothic.

[bussinspain]

For your information - here is something I googled about the hats and costumes.

A common feature in Spain is the almost general usage of the nazareno or penitential robe for some of the participants in the processions. This garment consists in a tunic, a hood with conical tip (capirote) used to conceal the face of the wearer, and sometimes a cloak. The exact colors and forms of these robes depend on the particular procession. The robes were widely used in the medieval period for penitents, who could demonstrate their penance while still masking their identity. These nazarenos carry processional candles or rough-hewn wooden crosses, may walk the city streets barefoot, and, in some places may carry shackles and chains on their feet as penance. In some areas, sections of the participants wear dress freely inspired by the uniforms of the Roman Legion.[1]

The other common feature is that every brotherhood carries magnificent "Pasos" or floats with sculptures that depict different scenes from the gospels related to the Passion of Christ or the Sorrows of Virgin Mary. Many of these floats are art pieces created by Spanish artists such as Gregorio Fernandez, Juan de Mesa, Martínez Montañés or Mariano Benlliure. Brotherhoods have owned and preserved these "pasos" for centuries in some cases. Usually, the "pasos" are accompanied by Marching bands performing "Marchas procesionales" a specific type of compositions, devoted to the images and fraternities.

[Martin H]

These parades are a wonderful spectacle and a reminder that, in Christian countries, Easter has meaning over and above being the Spring Festival of Chocolate.

Thanks for sharing.

[Guest]

^^^I banned family buying choc. for the girls since Jan and the amount of people who have told me that you can't have Easter without choc eggs

Sorry, as you were

[Nicos]

An interesting read buss..I had no idea the Spanish celebrated Easter like that!

[bussinspain]

These parades are a wonderful spectacle and a reminder that, in Christian countries, Easter has meaning over and above being the Spring Festival of Chocolate.

Thanks for sharing.

it was my pleasure Martin H.