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Spain Festivals and Events
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Moors and Christians Festival
Alcoy, Alicante, 22th - 24th April, 2000
The celebration began in the 17th century. Groups of Moors and Christians
drive through the town accompanied by noisy bands, after which a
tattle ensues and amongst the most characteristic parts are the
deployment of guerrillas, the Moorish embassy, the battle of musketry,
the Christian embassy and the final battle with the triumph of the
followers of the Cross, who surround the Moors and defeat them.
Everything goes on amidst the noise of fireworks and the ringing
of bells.
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The Pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Cabeza
Andujar, Jaen, 28th April, 2000
The festivities begin with a cattle and horse handling contest in
the bullring, with well-known horsemen from all over Andalusia participating.
During the afternoon of the second day of festivities, there is a
reception given by more than 50 brotherhoods who come from all over
Spain.
The Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza is located on the highest
peak of the Sierra Morena, and this is where thousands of "romeros"
or pilgrims travel on the third day, dressed in typically Andalusian
clothes and riding atop different breeds of horses. That same night
the pilgrims sing and dance before the Sanctuary. On the last day
of these "Fiestas" a procession is held with the image of the Virgin,
and later, back in Andujar, the pilgrims can enjoy all the local
attractions and merrymaking. Andujar is located 66 kilometers from
Jaen.
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Holy Cross
All across the country, 3rd May, 2000
Crosses of flowers are set up in towns all over Spain and in which
Mayos, essentially love songs offered up to the Virgin, are sung
and unmarried girls are serenaded. This is particularly typical
in Castile-La Mancha. The conical structures and crosses decked
with flowers and foliage known as maios in Galicia, around which
people dance and sing satirical songs, bear more than a passing
resemblance to England's traditional maypoles.
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