The Spanish capital is a city where energetic and cheerful people live who physically cannot exist without holidays. As soon as Christmas feasts and New Year's fireworks subside, the Spaniards begin preparations for the February carnivals. In Madrid, Barcelona and other cities of the country, they pass magnificently and brightly, symbolizing the abundance on the eve of the upcoming Great Lent.
History and modernity
For the first time, the carnival in Madrid thundered in the 16th century. Then he was the lot of commoners who sought to recharge themselves with vigor and satiety before immersing themselves in forty-day restrictions. The church and the upper strata of society did not welcome the custom, but over time everyone liked the carnival and even the royal court began to take part in it. Franco's bloody regime banned fun and resumed carnival traditions in Madrid only in the 80s of the last century.
The first revived carnival took place in the pouring rain on February 16, 1980, and a year later the tradition regained its former features and became noisy, multifaceted and beloved by all residents of the Spanish capital.
Five signs of the Madrid carnival
Once in the Spanish capital in February, listen and take a closer look at its inhabitants. You can safely say that the carnival is in full swing if:
- You see the Herald announcing the start of a five-day colorful event.
- You are carried away by a street procession, in which you can meet gypsies and magicians, jugglers and sword swallowers, fire eaters and pantomime masters. Columns of mummers pass from Retiro Park to Sibelis Square, filling along the way, like a full-flowing river, with new participants.
- You are invited to become a spectator of the Great Dance festival or take part in a fancy dress competition at the Circulo de Bellas Artes Ballroom.
- You are listening to the performance of street musicians "Murga", performing humorous "chirigota" couplets on topical social and political topics.
- You cannot choose where to go with the little ones because there are dozens of children's shows, competitions, concerts and theatrical performances all over Madrid.
Goodbye sardine
The final stage of the Carnival in Madrid is the symbolic funeral ceremony for the sardine. Legend has it that a batch of fish ordered for the holiday on the way from the northern coast to the capital deteriorated and the masquerade participants, who did not want to grieve, arranged a magnificent funeral for it.
