semana santa

I'll first address your predictable initial reaction to these pictures - no, the brotherhoods in Sevilla did not copy the KKK's costumes, the KKK copied them. The Semana Santa traditions have been around for much longer than the KKK, 

and are part of a truly sacred Spanish custom. I'd prefer if you refrained from making any jokes regarding 

the KKK (even though my mother couldn't).  

Seville's Semana Santa is the most revered in all of Spain. Each "brotherhood" or church has at least one procession, in which hundreds of members dressed in the cloak and cap march from their home church to the Cathedral of Seville (the Catholic Mecca of Andalucía) The procession also includes a marching band (although there are a couple of brotherhoods that expect complete silence during their procession) and a "float," a massive, ornate chunk of gold with a religious scene on top. Semana Santa is so loved by so many Spaniards, even those who are not religious, because they admire the artwork of the floats, which  depicts either a beloved virgin or a scene from Jesus' life.

  

Semana Santa means springtime, which in Seville means beautiful, blossoming almond trees.

Seville's most crowded week is Semana Santa, as people travel from around Spain and around the world to witness the ceremonies.

alcohol is not absent from any single event in Spain

women watch from their balconies on San Jacinto

"floats" weighing three tons, carried by men from their local church to the Seville Cathedral

the mask provides anonymity and equality before God

procession (see the bunch of candles?) leaving the Cathedral, under the Giralda

The nighttime processions were beautiful, with gold lighting from the cathedral and the glow of the candles.

Esperanza de Triana (my neighborhood)

Semana Santa wouldn't have been the same without my mom and her fearless friend Maryann.