![\"Spain](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/1024x512.png\" "\\"1024x512\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n1. El Salto del Colacho<\/h2>\n
\n What<\/strong>: Parents lay their babies on mattresses in the street, then watch as a man dressed as the devil literally jumps over them.<\/p>\n \n via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just before this happens, the man runs through the street, whipping members of the crowd as they hurl insults at him, to protect themselves from bad luck. The babies are also blessed by a pastor.<\/p>\n Afterwards, the babies are sprinkled with flowers, and the day finishes with a big ol\u2019 fiesta<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: Go with me on this\u2014I can explain! Dating back to the early 1600s, the festival celebrates the power of good over evil. The idea is that the Colacho<\/em> (the devil) jumps over babies that were born in the previous 12 months in order to cleanse them of original sin; he absorbs the sin himself and wards off bad luck and bad spirits.<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Burgos<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: The Sunday after the Feast of Corpus Christi<\/p>\n Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/strong>: Throughout March, preparations are made for Las Fallas<\/em>. From the start of the month, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/em> hosts a daily firecracker show, and the streets are filled with people letting off their own.<\/p>\n By 16th March, the fallas<\/em>\u2014collections of large, often satirical, monuments made of materials like cardboard, papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9<\/a>, wax, and wood\u2014are displayed throughout the city. After prize-givings, flower offerings, and nightly firework displays, the effigies are burned in La Crem\u00e0<\/em> (Valencian for \u2018The Burning\u2019).<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: This tradition originated as a way to celebrate San Jos\u00e9<\/em>, patron saint of carpenters, every 19th March. One theory is that in the Middle Ages, carpenters used to use planks of wood to support their candles, as they worked for many hours in the dark. By springtime, this was no longer necessary, so they burned the planks, and started putting rags on them to make them look like people and figures.<\/p>\n Today, an incredible amount of effort goes into planning the satirical messages of the fallas<\/em>, and physically making them.<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Valencia<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: March 15\u201319<\/p>\n Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/strong>: A massive food fight! Tens of thousands of people gather in Bu\u00f1ol once a year to throw tomatoes at each other and have fun in the street. These days, the food fight has become an official event, which is now so popular that you have to buy a ticket to participate!<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: The reported history<\/u><\/a> of La Tomatina<\/em> is quite something, so strap in. It all started in 1945 at the parade of Gigantes y Cabezudos<\/em> (another Spanish festival).<\/p>\n Some kids were trying to get a place in the procession, when they accidentally knocked someone over. This person got angry and started hitting everything in sight. There was a vegetable stand nearby, and the crowd joined in with the rage, throwing tomatoes at each other.<\/p>\n The following year, the kids started a fight deliberately, having brought their own tomatoes! La Tomatina<\/em> was banned a couple of times in the 1950s, but the local people weren\u2019t down with that. They protested by carrying a giant tomato through the town in a coffin, with funeral marches playing \u2026 and the event got reinstated.<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Bu\u00f1ol, Valencia<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: The last Wednesday in August<\/p>\n Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/strong>: The celebration kicks off with the chupinazo<\/em>, the lighting of a firework in front of an enormous cheering crowd. The week is filled with different celebrations, but the most well-known part is the Encierro<\/em>, the running of the bulls.<\/p>\n Despite calls from animal rights activists, this controversial tradition continues to take place each year. At 8 o\u2019clock in the morning, six bulls have to get from the bullpen to the Plaza de Toros <\/em>(bull ring) for later fighting, so they\u2019re sent running through the local streets, hot on the heels of the participants.<\/p>\n Running in front of charging bulls comes with its dangers, and it\u2019s not unusual for people to get injured during this festival.<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: These fiestas<\/em> date back to the 12th century, and are held in commemoration of Saint Ferm\u00edn, patron saint of Navarre (who may or may not actually exist<\/u><\/a>!).<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Pamplona, Navarre<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: July 6\u201314<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/strong><\/u>: Another messy one! One man plays the role of the Cascamorras<\/em> (see below) dressed as a harlequin, carrying a large flag with him. He tries to run through the town to retrieve the statue of the Virgen de la Piedad<\/em>, and the townspeople try and cover him in black paint and oil.<\/p>\n When he returns to his own town without the statue, the disappointed locals give him a second coat of paint!<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: The most widely-accepted version of the story<\/u> goes that hundreds of years ago, there was a dispute between Baza and Guadix, two neighboring towns.<\/p>\n A guy from Guadix (the \u2018Cascamorras<\/em>\u2019) found the statue Virgen de la Piedad <\/em>(\u2018Our Lady of Mercy\u2019) <\/em>in Baza, and tried to take it back to Guadix. The courts ruled that the statue should stay in Baza but the Guadix people could have it one day a year. The people of Baza weren\u2019t happy with this arrangement, which led to the tradition that the Cascamorras<\/em> can only take the statue if he reaches it without getting covered in paint on the way!<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Baza and Guadix, Granada<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: September 6\u20139<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/strong>: Festival of near-death experiences. Yes, you read that correctly. People who have survived near-death experiences in the past year lie in coffins and are carried around by their families. After this somewhat morbid day, there\u2019s a big party with plenty of music, dancing, food, and fireworks!<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: This event is held in honor of Saint Martha, who\u2019s said to be the patron saint of resurrection<\/a>, for sparing the lives of loved ones who had come so close to death. Prayers made to Santa Marta<\/em> include: \u201cVirgin Saint Martha, star of the North, we bring you those who saw death.\u201d<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Las Nieves<\/em> (As Neves <\/em>in Galician), Galicia<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: July 29<\/span><\/p>\n Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p>\n What<\/strong>: A UNESCO<\/u><\/a>-recognized competition based on building human towers! Teams of castellers<\/em> (the people who make up the towers) gather to compete in this remarkable if slightly unnerving competition.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an intricate operation, and there are loads of rules<\/u><\/a> that the teams have to abide by. Sometimes the towers have as many as 10 levels \u2026 and the craziest part? Because they\u2019re light and agile, little kids are usually picked to clamber up and be the top level of the towers! It looks pretty awesome, but after watching this video<\/u><\/a>, I think I\u2019ll stick to the humble piggy-back.<\/p>\n Why<\/strong>: The tradition is thought to have started as part of a \u2018Valencian Dance\u2019 in Valls\u2014near Tarragona\u2014in the 18th century. It also has links to the Muixeranga<\/em>, a similar Valencian artform. Over the years, the exercise has become less about dancing, and more about acrobatic skill.<\/p>\n Where<\/strong>: Tarragona, Catalonia<\/p>\n When<\/strong>: The first weekend in October every other year<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, there you have it, our pick of weird Spanish festivals! The tourism industry tends to focus on the sun, sea, and sand in Spain \u2026 it\u2019s great to look beyond that and learn about the fascinating and unique traditions that the country has to offer!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Travelling to a Spanish-speaking destination soon? Grab a copy of this Spanish Phrasebook to help you travel with confidence!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When you think of Spain, you might think of siestas, fiestas, and maybe the odd bit of flamenco. But some of Spain\u2019s traditions might surprise you. From the dangerous to the dirty to the downright odd, here are some of Spain\u2019s wackiest festivals and traditions. 1. El Salto del Colacho What: Parents lay their babies […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":3554,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":" When you think of Spain, you might think of siestas, fiestas, and maybe the odd bit of flamenco. But some of Spain\u2019s traditions might surprise you. From the dangerous to the dirty to the downright odd, here are some of Spain\u2019s wackiest festivals and traditions.<\/p><\/div> <\/p> <\/p><\/div><\/div> What<\/strong>: Parents lay their babies on mattresses in the street, then watch as a man dressed as the devil literally jumps over them.<\/p><\/div> Just before this happens, the man runs through the street, whipping members of the crowd as they hurl insults at him, to protect themselves from bad luck. The babies are also blessed by a pastor.<\/p>Afterwards, the babies are sprinkled with flowers, and the day finishes with a big ol\u2019 fiesta<\/em>.<\/div> Why<\/strong>: Go with me on this\u2014I can explain! Dating back to the early 1600s, the festival celebrates the power of good over evil. The idea is that the Colacho<\/em> (the devil) jumps over babies that were born in the previous 12 months in order to cleanse them of original sin; he absorbs the sin himself and wards off bad luck and bad spirits.<\/p> Where<\/strong>: Burgos<\/p>When<\/strong>: The Sunday after the Feast of Corpus Christi<\/div> Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p><\/div> What<\/strong>: Throughout March, preparations are made for Las Fallas<\/em>. From the start of the month, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento<\/em> hosts a daily firecracker show, and the streets are filled with people letting off their own.<\/p> By 16th March, the fallas<\/em>\u2014collections of large, often satirical, monuments made of materials like cardboard, papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9<\/a>, wax, and wood\u2014are displayed throughout the city. After prize-givings, flower offerings, and nightly firework displays, the effigies are burned in La Crem\u00e0<\/em> (Valencian for \u2018The Burning\u2019).<\/p> Why<\/strong>: This tradition originated as a way to celebrate San Jos\u00e9<\/em>, patron saint of carpenters, every 19th March. One theory is that in the Middle Ages, carpenters used to use planks of wood to support their candles, as they worked for many hours in the dark. By springtime, this was no longer necessary, so they burned the planks, and started putting rags on them to make them look like people and figures.<\/p> Today, an incredible amount of effort goes into planning the satirical messages of the fallas<\/em>, and physically making them.<\/p> Where<\/strong>: Valencia<\/p>When<\/strong>: March 15\u201319<\/div> Via Wikimedia<\/a><\/p><\/div> What<\/strong>: A massive food fight! Tens of thousands of people gather in Bu\u00f1ol once a year to throw tomatoes at each other and have fun in the street. These days, the food fight has become an official event, which is now so popular that you have to buy a ticket to participate!<\/p>![\"El](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/image1.jpg\" "\\"image1\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n2. Las Fallas (\u2018Les Falles\u2019 in Valencian)<\/h2>\n
![\"Las](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/image3.jpg\" "\\"image3\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n3. La Tomatina<\/h2>\n
![\"La](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/image2.jpg\" "\\"image2\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n4. Las Fiestas de San Ferm\u00edn<\/h2>\n
![\"Las](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/image5.jpg\" "\\"image5\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\n5. Fiesta del Cascamorras<\/h2>\n
6. Fiesta de Santa Marta de Ribarteme<\/h2>\n
7. Concurso de Castells<\/h2>\n
![\"Concurso](\"\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/image4.jpg\" "\\"image4\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nConclusion<\/h2>\n
<\/span><\/div>1. El Salto del Colacho<\/h2><\/div>
<\/span>2. Las Fallas (\u2018Les Falles\u2019 in Valencian)<\/h2><\/div>
<\/span>3. La Tomatina<\/h2><\/div>
<\/span>