La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
Yesterday was the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is why Fuengirola is hosting a fair and also why there was all that dancing yesterday on Plaza de la Constitución, which happens to be home to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary. The photo above is of the church on the same day back in 2013. Not myself believing in organized religion, I sometimes find it difficult to witness some of these rituals, but there’s no denying the artistry and extravagance. So, here’s a bit of what I saw when I arrived on the plaza yesterday morning.
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Ayer fue la Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario, por eso Fuengirola está organizando una feria y también por eso hubo tanto baile ayer en la Plaza de la Constitución, donde se encuentra la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Rosario. La foto de arriba es de la iglesia el mismo día de 2013. Como no creo en la religión organizada, a veces me resulta difícil presenciar algunos de estos rituales, pero no se puede negar el arte y la extravagancia. Entonces, esto es un poco de lo que vi cuando llegué a la plaza ayer por la mañana.
Click the thumbnails. The Twizy will be almost actual size..
Haz clic en las miniaturas. El Twizy será casi de tamaño real.
I used to take part in these ‘festivals’ when I was a child/altar boy, mind you not as extravagant as these in Spain. They always/well mostly left me feeling very uplifted and happy. It is quite amazing that they have survived at all the extent to which they have in Europe.
Jim:
They remain huge here.
I like churches, architecturally speaking, but don’t care for what goes on inside most of them.
Bob:
I’m with you. I also tend to get angry at the wealth displayed. Yes, they created some spectacular art, but I just think of what better use could be made.
I hope the virgin does not suffer from motion sickness, that side to side rocking could be difficult for some.
David:
It’s a fascinating thing. These processions have different traditions in terms of the dance-like movements, side-to-side, back and forth, up and down.
I had no idea they still celebrate versions on Friday? Yet they don’t celebrate me here! I have to say that looks like a fun celebration and that church is starting reminds me of one I saw and Buenos Aires.
Mistress Borghese:
They celebrate a virgin just about every day somewhere in Spain. But I have no idea how you think that would relate to you.
I like how the carriers sway when stationary. I guess it keeps them from seizing up or something?
Debra:
The swaying and even going backward are traditions of this particular procession. Many have their own little “dances” they do. For the Virgin of Carmen in July, they do all that plus lifting her high in the air and lowering her to their shoulders again. People look forward to those segments and cheer.
Not many virgins there… Jx
Jon:
I should have taken a survey.
Whenever I see a procession of people carrying large heavy objects, I always wonder what would happen if someone tripped? Like the colour guard that shouldered QE2’s casket — that would be hilarious! Guess I’m no better than the people who go to car races in hopes of seeing a crash, LOL!
Tundra Bunny:
There are so many people (sadly, always men) shouldering the burden that there’s always someone to take up the slack. Unless one tripped so hard he knocked over everyone else like dominoes. And, yeah, that did bring a momentarily smile to my face. Shame on us.
Having grown up Italian-American Catholic, I find these celebrations rather anachronistic. The mindset I think is, well this is silly church ritual, but, hey, any excuse for a a party and street food!
Frank:
It’s an enormous honor to be a costalero (one of the guys who carries the statue). But, yes, they’re all at Feria partying hardy a few ours later.
I love all the over-the-top festivals and religious stuff you post photos of,Mitchell. It’s all so vibrant and celebratory!
Jennifer:
It’s beautiful to see. In Sevilla, we didn’t have to leave our plaza to see the majority of them.
The spectacle’s the thing.
Walt the Fourth:
Will have to look up which pagan ritual this one grew from. It’s fun to witness.
I carry my rosary wherever I go, Alas I cannot say when I last prayed it.
Urspo:
I used to carry worry beads.