The final week of April through the first week of May marks the most colourful festival
in all of Spain. Feria de Abril is held annually in Seville, and it’s the
largest fair in the region complete with costumed participants, horses, and extravagance
at every turn. This year the Feria de Abril will be held from the 20th to the 25th
of April
A more vibrant and lively festival you will not find than the Feria de Abril. Offering all the opportunities for an elaborate immersion
into Spanish culture, abundant activities include strolling music players, street
dancing, amazing culinary fare, and the chance to make new acquaintances or visit
with family and friends. The festival takes place on the fairgrounds just across
from Maria Luisa Park. It is located approximately 1.25 km northeast of the centre
of Seville.
The fair begins with the illumination of thousands of colourful light bulbs, stretched
all along the fairground and the main entranceway. The lighting, dubbed the “lighting
test,” occurs at midnight on Monday and highlights the celebration’s
beginning. All festival events are free.
History of the Fair
The Feria de Abril started in 1847 as a “cattle fair.”
Over time, the absolute joy that began to transcend the event replaced the original
“agricultural fair,” transforming it into the social highlight it is
today. The fair has taken on more exotic overtones throughout its years of increasing
renown until it has become one exciting week-long adventure. These days, a new festival
theme is chosen each year, and the 50 metre high gateway to the fairgrounds is always
a creative homage to each year’s theme.
The Casetas (or Tents)
The casetas are the heart of the fair. It is here that you will probably be spending
a good deal of time. Inside each lies the essence of the festival itself. Groups
of families and friends share the space of their casetas to welcome guests and acquaintances,
and offer them food and drink. Many of these casetas are privately owned, and you
have to be invited to join the revelry inside. Fortunately, you will find the people
of Seville to be friendly, warm, and caring. They will try to get you involved in
the celebration if you are just passing by, as they want you to feel welcome and
share in the joy of this event. The people of Seville take their festival fun seriously!
In any case, however, there are also many public casetas for you to share in the
joy and merriment of the occasion. Flamenco dancing in popular dress is the favourite
tradition. Sevillanas is flamenco dancing in the local flavour and much of that
exists within the caseta partitions, often spilling outside and into the streets
beyond. The social gatherings, the food, the drink, the dancing, all of this occurring
inside the casetas reflects the true spirit of this fiesta. Information booths set
up at the festival entrance will tell you about each caseta and any activities occurring
throughout the day.
Festival Dress
The festival attire is of Andalusian influence for performers and participants.
Typical clothing for men is that of a farm worker, while women wear exotic gypsy
or brilliant, multi-coloured flamenco dresses. Women’s clothing is especially
vibrant and lends an air of excitement to the festivities. The colours are stunning
in the crowd.
Daytime Activities
ZThe Feria de Abril has a multitude of options for children, thus making the fair
a family event. Adjacent to the fairgrounds is the Calle del Infierno. Despite the
name (translated, it means Hell’s Street), the area is alive with a wealth
of attractions and activities designed especially for children, which adults can
enjoy also. Vendors sell snacks and cold drinks in the nearby streets.
Each day of the fair at noon, the famous horse and carriage parade takes place.
The procession is called the “Paseo de Caballos” and includes carriages
filled with beautiful ladies dressed in the striking attire of flamenco dancers.
You can become a part of this parade yourself by renting a buggy and driver! Imagine
riding in the streets with other parade participants and waving at the glamorously
dressed crowds as you roll by. Each day, horsemen and horsewomen take part is this
celebration with wonderfully decorated carriages.
Nighttime Activities
The activities of the day,
however, cannot compare to the nightlife surrounding the fair. Of course, you are
in Spain, so naturally, you are going to want to see a bullfight. This fair offers
that enticement as well as many others. Late afternoon and early evening brings
festival-goers to the Plaza de la Maestranza bullring to watch the excitement as
it unfolds. Tickets to this event can be purchased ahead of time or at the event
itself.
The festival has a “party all night” philosophy. The casetas are filled
with music, dancing, eating, drinking, and partying that goes until the wee hours
of the morning. To truly experience the Feria de Abril, you must live the life of
a casetas party reveler! The lively beat of the music will make that easy to do!
Also make sure you try tapas while enjoying the food at the caseta or in Seville.
Tapas are a delightful appetizer, and Seville is credited with their invention.
The Feria de Abril concludes with a magnificent fireworks display that has the intention
of sending the crowds off with enthusiasm until the event returns next year. Midnight
on Sunday brings the magical light explosion in the sky that signals the end of
this year’s fair.
History of Seville
Seville is the capital of southern Spain, Andalusia, and the province of Seville.
It is more than 2,000 years old, and it has a unique personality all its own. The
province has lured filmmakers to its region for decades and many films have been
produced in its historic streets and structural architectural delights, including
Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars, Episode II, among many others. Seville has been
called the “City of the Senses” because it seems you feel, smell, and
taste more fully when you are there. You will surely detect a hint of orange blossoms
in Seville’s air as the province is known for its orange trees. Jacaranda
trees are present as well and bring with their beautiful blooms the lovely announcement
of spring.
Additional Sights To See While In Seville
Seville is rich in culture, history, and tradition, and it is home to many monuments
and churches. Plan to visit some of Seville’s attractions during your stay
for the Feria de Abril. For instance, Seville is home to the third largest church
in the world, the Seville Cathedral. It is an architecturally beautiful building,
as many structures in Seville are, and it rests on the site of a former 12th Century
mosque, the Great Mosque. The La Giralda Tower has its origins in the 12th Century,
and if you climb to the top of the bell tower, you will have extraordinary views
of the surrounding area. The Seville Royal Fortress saw the wedding of Carlos V
and Isabel of Portugal. The building has its origins in the 12th Century and is
open to the public to visit. The Torre del Oro Tower is part of the walls surrounding
Seville and it sits on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. The Tower dates back
to 1220 and today contains a naval museum. It looks like gold when it is lit up
at night. The Sierra Norte Park lies just north of Seville and offers an area of
natural preservation. Species to be seen inside the reserve include imperial eagle,
black vulture, lynx, and black stork. There are also a number of other parks in
the Seville area.
The Feria de Abril is a wonderful opportunity to lead spring into summer. The time
of year that this festival is held is ideal to take full advantage of the glorious
weather that Seville is known for. The fair is a time to enjoy life, embrace merriment,
and experience a culture like no other. Seville has a good many lessons to teach
about history, tradition, culture, and the blending of the past with the modernity
of the future. The Feria de Abril is the perfect occasion to benefit from all Seville
has to offer.