Different ways to celebrate the holiday in Spain

_Elsa_

Tiffi goes back to her articles on Google. Yikes! She better check to see if her Halloween costume from last year still fits her. She tries it on and is pleased with what she sees in the mirror. Time to go back to Google. She reads the first one that she checked off.

 

1. Eating “Huesos de santo,” “panellets,” and “buñuelos de viento” - “Huesos de santo” (saint bones), “buñuelos de viento” (wind fritters) and “panellets” (little pieces of bread) are some of the traditional Spanish delicacies for All Saint’s Day. You can also sample anise-flavored doughnuts and baked potatoes in Salamanca, “arrops” and “tallaets” in Alicante (small pieces of pumpkins soaked in grape syrup) and “borrachillos” (sweet rolls) in Andalusia.

2. Performing “Don Juan Tenorio” - Spaniards often go to see a performance of “Don Juan Tenorio” at theaters one week before All Saint’s Day. An important part of this romantic play takes places in a cemetery and death is one of its main topics. Spaniards share this tradition with Mexico.

3. Eating chestnuts - “Magosto” or “Castañada” (Chestnut party) is a traditional festival celebrated in the northern regions of Spain such as Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, Cataluña and Aragon. People roast chestnuts on a fire along with other seasonal fruits, nuts, and vegetables like sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and figs.

4. Walking through “The Souls’ way” - In some Spanish cities, it’s traditional to walk around the streets in silence or holding candles on October 31st in memory of the dead. In Alicante, people used to display candles in their windows beginning on October 28th to mark the way for the departed souls. Also, families in the Canary Islands and Andalusia gather together to tell stories and sing traditional songs.

Due to the Celtic influence in Northern Spain, the celebration of Halloween is especially popular. Galicia is known for its local folklore and ghost legends. They celebrate the Noite dos Calacús (Night of the Pumpkins, on October 31st) with many activities including pumpkin carving, costume parties, rituals, trick-or-treating, etc.

5. Going to fairs and carnivals - The Halloween Carnival in Cadiz is one of the most famous All Saint’s Day festivals in Spain. Participants create elaborate dolls made of fruits and vegetables in the likeness of public figures to joke about politicians and current events. (Info here) 

Wow, very interesting! Tiffi has to ask the CMs if they join in the celebrations.

Let’s continue - Lots of fun things to do in Barcelona

Start at the beginning - Halloween 2020 in the Candy Kingdom (Part 1)