Because Spain is largely a Catholic country, with 71% of the population stating they are Catholic, many of cultural traditions that have been in place for hundreds of years revolve around a Catholic calendar. With that said I’d just like to state my observation of this very Catholic country. No one I know goes to church. Of the many people I’ve openly asked about religion most say “I’m Catholic, but not practicing.” And, I wonder, does that still make you Catholic? Here in Spain where many people say they are Catholic it is surprisingly much less religious than the U.S. where there is a supposed separation of church and state however our money still says “In God we Trust” and politicians end their speeches with “God bless America”. If you are not religious in the U.S. it doesn’t seem as accepted as it does here where 24.1% of the population states that they do not follow a religion.
What is the point of all this religious banter? Well, it is to say that here in Spain one of the biggest most exciting weeks for vacation is Easter week or semana santa where people emigrate from big cities to hit the beaches or head to their hometowns to get away from the city. This is what I did over Easter week, heading to the Asturias region of northern Spain where my boyfriend’s parents live.
One of the main events for most people, religious or not, during semana santa is the procession, when church representatives solemnly parade around town with floats that have religious figures on them. Often made of gold or silver, these floats can weigh hundreds and hundreds of pounds and need to be carried on the shoulders of some 20-30 men who walk slowly often accompanied by drums and trumpets. For anonymity these men wear long robes and long pointy hats eerily reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan. Sometimes people cry or walk along the procession barefoot or on their knees. Other times you can see running shoes under the robes of those carrying the statue and you know that this really is the start of the party that will continue all night. A friend who volunteered to carry a statue with his church once told me, “I’m an atheist but everyone else will be doing it and this way I can be part of the fun during and the party after.”
What is the point of all this religious banter? Well, it is to say that here in Spain one of the biggest most exciting weeks for vacation is Easter week or semana santa where people emigrate from big cities to hit the beaches or head to their hometowns to get away from the city. This is what I did over Easter week, heading to the Asturias region of northern Spain where my boyfriend’s parents live.
One of the main events for most people, religious or not, during semana santa is the procession, when church representatives solemnly parade around town with floats that have religious figures on them. Often made of gold or silver, these floats can weigh hundreds and hundreds of pounds and need to be carried on the shoulders of some 20-30 men who walk slowly often accompanied by drums and trumpets. For anonymity these men wear long robes and long pointy hats eerily reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan. Sometimes people cry or walk along the procession barefoot or on their knees. Other times you can see running shoes under the robes of those carrying the statue and you know that this really is the start of the party that will continue all night. A friend who volunteered to carry a statue with his church once told me, “I’m an atheist but everyone else will be doing it and this way I can be part of the fun during and the party after.”