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- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
Día de los Polvos, Tolox, Andalusia. On the final day of the week-long February
festival in Tolox village the locals throw 3,000 kg of talcum powder at each other.
It may date to an aged ritual in which local men smeared the face of women with
flour to show their love, the old romantics.
Penjada del Ruc, Solsona, Catalonia. The end piece of Solsona’s festival in
February involves hoisting a fake donkey by the neck up the town’s bell tower.
Naturally, it has a prosthetic penis, and anyone who gets piddled on is deemed
hugely lucky. Horrifyingly, until quite recently they used a real donkey.
Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme, Las Nieves, Galicia. Thousands flock to
this small town on 29thJuly to celebrate the festival of near death experiences.
People who’ve sidestepped the grim reaper and narrowly escaped death swap
stories before climbing into open cask coffins to be paraded by family members
through the streets to the church and the shrine of Santa Marta, patron saint of
resurrection. What’s weird about that?
Walks and wagers: Spanish spare time
During down time the Spanish follow the fairly universal
laws of relaxation. Some watch a prodigious amount
of television, others go shopping or tackle DIY.The great
outdoors has traditionally been a popular escape, with
fishing, hunting and cycling all among Spain’s customary
pastimes (see section 8.8. for more). Increasingly they’re
rediscovering the pleasures of walking, and, of course,
the eveningpaseo,strollingthroughthestreetschatting
with friends and neighbours, has never really gone away.
Above all, the Spanish use their free time to socialise.
Extended meal sittings are hugely important, as is a visit
to the nearest bar, café or social club for older
generations.Younger Spaniards famously enjoy late
nights, often waiting until after midnight before heading
to a bar or club.
Three rather strangefiestas
Big is best
Spanish festivals often
feature a procession of
gigantes y cabezudos
(giants and bigheads).
The effigies usually
represent medieval folk
or some famous local
resident. Most are papier-
mâché, but at Valencia’s
riotous Las Fallas fest
every March they throw
in some wax to make
sure the massive figures
burn well.
