 |
ARAGÓN |
 |
Related sites:
Tourism in Andalusia
Spain For Tourists
Catalonia For Tourists
Sightseeing in Madrid
Sightseeing in Barcelona
Zaragoza – Events
Holy Week
Not only the Holy week in Andalucia is famous all over the world with its peculiar processions. Also Zaragoza offers a unique experience, although completely different.
This celebration is stressed by its seriousness and meditation and at the same time its passion and colours.
There are about 50 processions during 9 days. One of them, Procesión General del Santo Entierro- Procession of the Holy Burial, is accompanied by the sound ot 3.000 drums, a sound which can be heart and felt.
The processions cover Jesus´ last days, from the entrance
in Jerusalem, the Holy Dinner,
Judas´kiss, Ecce
Homo to the Resurrection.
We have to be aware that the processions have been influenced by very many traditions
coming from Castillia and Andalusia. They incorporate the typical sound of the drums form
Aragon. This is why we can find the "saetas" (special songs, some time improvised,
only sung during the processions) and also the typical "jota" from Aragon.
It is amasing to see and hear hundreds of drummers playing at the same time, with the
same rhythm. It makes the crowd vibrate. During the processions we will also find other
instruments played by the members of the different cofradias.
Usually, more or less in the middle of the procession you can see a cross ("Cruz
in Memoriam") which remembers all those members of the cofradia that have passed
away. Sometimes even their names are written on it. It is a way of making them also part
of the procession. 
The most emotional moments are those when the images leave the churches and when they
return.
The processions are as follows:
On the Saturday before Eastern, there is 1 procession;
On Sunday, there are 8.
On Holy Monday, 5, on Tuesday, 6, Wednesday, 7. On Holy Thursday, 13 and on Holy Friday,
4. On Saturday, 3 and on Eastern Sunday 1.
Fiestas del Pilar
The Virgen del Pilar is not only the patron saint of Aragón, but also of Hispanity
and is celebrated on October 12th, fiesta
del Pilar. A very popular event is the “Ofrenda de las flores”, thousands
of flowers are offered to the Virgen forming a broad cloak.