The Feria de Abril has finally arrived. After one long year of anticipation, the Sevillanos can once again enjoy their old-world wonderland. Outside of the fair grounds in Los Remedios, the rest of Sevilla may just as well not exist. Inside the fair grounds, distinguished Spanish cowboys ride well-groomed horses. Women flaunt their new dresses, or rather, the dresses flaunt themselves. A rainbow of ruffles sweeps across the grounds as groups of women flutter from tent to tent, with clouds of dust and importance following closely behind. Flamenco music, often with live singers and guitarists and always accompanied by loud, rhythmic clapping, floats from various tents, and in the distance the screams of children in the amusement park can be heard. The air smells of horses and smoke, waffles and cotton candy, cured ham and
langostinos. The feria has begun.
Feria de Abril, April Fair, is a long-standing tradition in Andalucía. Many pueblos and towns have an annual feria, but none is more renowned than that of Sevilla. This year, oddly enough, the festival falls in May. It lasts an entire week, during which schools are on vacation and other businesses have reduced hours. Even, to my dismay, the supermarkets, which are open only until 2pm daily. The city virtually shuts down for the fair as Spaniards flock to their
casetas (private tents) to dance the
Sevillanas and drink
rebujito (manzanilla white wine with sprite) out of tiny cups. Feria provides something appealing to all generations: children enjoy carnival rides and cotton candy while their parents occupy themselves with displays of pomp and class. The elderly treasure quality family time, and adolescents entertain themselves with alcohol + all of the above.
I have decided to divide my feria photos into two groups. In the following collection, you will find mostly pictures of horses and children, two elements to which I drew naturally, along with some general Feria street pictures.
In the next post you can look forward to a co-ed fashion spread. And the people and the fashion are what make the Feria de Abril what it is, because no tent or horse stands out more than a beautiful woman in a billowing dress (or a handsome man in a suit for that matter).
Part 1:
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| The Mayor turns on the lights of "La Portada" (The Entrance to the Fair) at midnight on the first day of feria, signaling the opening of the fairgrounds. |
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| Sevillanas |
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| Spanish family on a carriage ride complete with rebujito, umbrella, and fan |
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| girl chat |
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| just one of the gals...? |
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| feria by night |
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| niñitos |
