Spring events in the Alto Genal
Carnaval - or goodbye to flesh. Use up your fat and eggs and make pancakes. Oh no – not in this fun-loving country! Carnaval is a great excuse for a really good fiesta.
Each village has its celebration which, according to the Catholic calendar, should take place on the weekend of the 18th/19th February. But if this is what you are interested in, please check with me as dates vary. Spanish anarchistic tendencies show up here; for a traditonally ardent Catholic country, Spain is remarkably floppy about when they celebrate fixed events. They do it when it suits them.
Easter or Semana Santa is the biggest sacred festival in Spain, celebrated throughout with great enthusiasm and nowhere less so than here in Cartajima. It is an extraordinary event clearly illustrating the clash between paganism and christianity that took place centuries ago. The roots of many pagan traditions still thrive in the Alto Genal and, if you can stand the noise of the rockets and conches and bells, it is a festival that you won’t forget. But do bring your earplugs!
Check out a blog post about Easter with youtube videos
Igualeja, one of the Alto Genal villages just an hour’s pleasant walk from Cartajima, has a live passion play. Yes! Live! I don’t think they use nails to string up their victim on the cross but almost. I have never had the stomach for it but if it turns you on …
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