Picture of Zaragoza
Caption: Zaragoza Fiestas del Pilar
by @heikojahn
Caption: The city is famous for its folklore, local gastronomy, and landmarks such as the Basílica del Pilar, La Seo Cathedral and the Aljafería Palace. Together with La Seo and the Aljafería, several other buildings form part of the Mudéjar Architecture of Aragon which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fiestas del Pilar are among the most celebrated festivals in Spain.
Picture
Caption: Opening Speech of the Festival
Caption: The Town Crier (or Pregón) announces the opening speech of the festival. The proclamation is on the Saturday before the 12th of October from the balcony of the City Hall. Rather than using a designated town crier, every year well-known or well-respected personalities of Aragon are selected and awarded the honour of proclaiming the opening of the festival.
Caption: Fiestas Del Pilar
This is the high point of the festival, and a demonstration of the people’s devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Picture
Picture of Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Caption: Throughout the day of the 12th of October, thousands of people dressed in traditional costume, leave flowers at the statue of the Virgin, which has place of honour in the middle of the Plaza del Pilar.
Picture of Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Caption: There, an army of volunteers arrange flowers in a pyramidal form, creating a flower mantle around the base of the statue, which remains in the square for the duration of the festival for public viewing.
Picture of Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Picture of Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Caption: Around the Virgin's mantle, the Cross of Lorraine is usually depicted with red flowers against a background of white flowers, a two-tiered cross.
Picture of Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Plaza de Nuestra Senora del Pilar
Caption: People can participate in the flower offering individually, or as a group. Typically, groups are organized by schools, companies, villages and other entities, and they organize their own parades around the local streets and neighborhoods ending up at the main square.
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Caption: The popularity of the Offering of Flowers in Zaragoza is evidenced by the large number of groups that take part each year (378 groups in 2005) and the duration of the parades, which can usually last for over eight hours. In 2009, a record number of 450,000 people took part in the flower parade.
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Picture of Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Caption: The Giants and Big Heads are without a doubt one of the most beloved traditions for the people of Zaragoza. Giant costumed figures made of papier-mâché are made to look disproportionately big-headed, in the case of “cabezudos”. During the festival, the giants process daily around the streets, covering all areas of the city. There are ten cabezudos depict well known local characters (such as “el Morico”, “el Boticario”, “el Robaculeros”, “el Torero”, “el Tuerto”, “el Forano”, “la Forana”, “el Verrugón”, “la Pilara” and el “Azutero”) and each of them has its own song
Picture of Zaragoza
Zaragoza
Caption: #stellerstories #stellerspain #zaragoza #spain
#fiestadelpilar #seewhatisee #neverstopexploring
@heikojahn
instagram.com/heikojahn
