Dia de la Cruz

The beginning of May is celebrated in many northern hemisphere countries and traditionally is a festival of spring. In Andalucia the Dia de la Cruz is an important festival on May 3rd and is celebrated throughout the region. This particular festival is dedicated to the cult of the cross and although the stories of the cross date back to the 7th century or earlier, celebrations in Spain flourished most during the 18th century but definitely continue today.

Alhaurin el Grande celebrates from 27th April to 6th May this year. All week you may well be startled by the loud explosions and feel that we are in amid a firing zone. Fear not - it is the Green Brotherhood (Santa Vera Cruz) letting loud thunderclap rockets for this spring festival. On May 1st the early morning firing squad indicate that it is time to get up and go to the mountains and surrounding areas to gather rosemary branches which are then scattered on the roads that are the circuit situated in the old part of town for the processions in the evenings of the 1st, 2nd and then finally on 3rd May. The smell of the rosemary in the streets is wonderful. On 3rd of May the Feria Poster is released and these are put up in local shops and bars - they are always beautifully designed and I always mean to see if I can get hold of one!

The Brotherhood dress in their costumes and parade with percussion drums and a few wind instruments. The evening procession involves many strong members carrying the statue of Cristo de la Vera Cruz to the main church near the town hall 'Casa de Cultura'.

The bars and cafes are very busy over these few days, and you will notice many locals wearing green t-shirts in support of the Vera Cruz Brotherhood. Rosemary is a herb associated with a number of superstitions including protection from evil - I am sure there are many very old traditions not entirely religious, included in this festival.

If you want an out of town experience at this time, I can strongly recommend the Romeria of Villafranco another celebration worthy of a visit. A parade of traditionally adorned horses, riders, carriages and dancers make their way to the Rio Grande where a day of drinking, eating and dancing takes place on the riverside. It is certainly a spectacular not to miss.