In Spain national religious occasions are celebrated with fiestas, as are local thanksgivings. The people of the town or city dress up and enjoy food and drink in order to celebrate. Everyone is involved and the town practically comes to a stop. These celebrations often involve singing, dancing, fireworks and processions. Fiestas can be for the living or the dead, to appease natural forces or drive out evil spirits. They often include ancient or medieval customs and are based on historical events. Fiestas can last anywhere from a day to two weeks and are a spectacle to behold.
Flamenco
Flamenco is an important and vibrant art of dance and song which occupies an important role in Spanish culture and particularly in the culture of Andalucia. In order to find flamencos pure forms, especially cante jondo (deep song), you will need either a bar where flamenco is sung (un bar donde se cunta flamenco) or flamenco club (peña flamenco). A flamenco show (tablao flamenco) which is more commercial can be found in some larger Andalucian cities and tourist resorts. It is also possible in late spring and summer, in the south, to discover local festivals (ferias) where a version of flamenco song and dance is performed called sevillana.
