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Zaragoza: Tradition, celebration on Spanish national day

Xinhua, October 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Spain on Wednesday celebrates the Fiesta of the Virgin del Pilar and its own national identity and nowhere is that celebration more felt than in Zaragoza, Aragon, one of Spain's most traditional regions.

As well as being the patron of Hispanidad -- "Spanishness" in English -- the Virgin del Pilar is also the patron of Aragon and the days up to and including Oct. 12 take on special significance in Zaragoza, which receives around 400,000 visitors over the period.

The Fiestas del Pilar date back to 1807. During the celebration, eight days are dedicated to a series of cultural events with their roots deep in tradition.

The first day of the festivities is greeted with an announcement from the balcony of the Town Hall and followed by a parade through the city streets.

Although the Fiestas see many religious acts, such as the Offering of Flowers on Oct. 12, these also have great cultural significance. This tradition sees people from all over the region of Aragon lay their flowers at the feet of the statue of the Virgin del Pilar, spreading them out into the shape of a giant skirt.

Those who lay their offering down are dressed in traditional clothes, adding to the spectacle, and for the participants just putting on their garments forms part of the ritual.

On Oct. 13, a similar event takes place in which baskets of seasonal fruit are offered to the statue, while every day of the fiesta sees parades of "Giants and Cabezudos" (big heads) in the streets.

The eight giants represent the upper classes and the continents of the earth, with the King and Queen leading others such as the Duke and Duchess, Don Quixote and the Chinaman, while the eight "big heads" represent the popular classes.

All of this is accompanied by traditional folk music and the Jota, the traditional dance in Aragon.

As well as myriad cultural events, the celebrations include Aragon's excellent local wine from regions such as Somontano, Calatayud and Campo de Borja, and roast lamb.

Every year, fireworks bring the celebrations to an end in a display of color and light which reflects off the waters of the River Ebro. Endit