Fiesta De La Virgen Del Rosario Coronoda
Cadiz, Spain
A 16th century Spanish tradition celebrated in Cadiz on the first weekend of October. Over four days, various forms of religious expression take over the corner of the city occupied by the Our Lady of the Rosary Coronado. Locals swarm the nearby streets of the church from the Friday to present flowers before the celebration culminates on the following Monday. Whereby a giant parade of incoming and outgoing 'Elder Brothers' exchange their rods for the year. Followed suit by a local marching band and a giant float of the Our Lady of the Rosario symbol of worship, Rosario.
With religion waning in Southern Spain, this celebration doesn't grip the city like it used to. The younger population certainly enjoy the fireworks, but the celebrations are more of an inconvenience than a blessing for most. Most locals go about their day, and unperplexed tourists continue to sample local tapas. However, with a 4 hour long (yet short distance) parade soundtracked by a 100+ person brass band, it is hard to miss the older die-hard religious contingency celebrating in the Old Town part of the city. The aura of worship before the figure hoisted by four elderly men for 50 metres at a time. The hoots and cheers whenever the saintly figure is hoisted once again for a momentary pilgrimage.
The fireworks consistently going off in 10 minute intervals as the figure is hoisted once again at the end of its journey certainly seemed satirical to me. But that slow speed is indicative of the Spanish way of life, especially in Andalusia.
