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Spain has a history of
fiestas and the La Rioja region is no exception.
Any excuse to let off fireworks and the Spanish will grasp it.
It can be a Saints day, a bank holiday or just about anything they
can think of. It isn't unusual to be woken by a loud explosion
at 6am. At other times, you may be relaxing, reading a
newspaper, pottering about and then boom. People with a
nervous disposition beware. Some of the more dangerous
fireworks which have been banned in most areas of Europe are still
popular in Spain. Remember the rip rap the ones that chased
you around the garden on bonfire night? banned and quite rightly so
but over here one of the favourites. There was a proposed eu
law a few years ago which would ban any firework over a certain
decibel level. If this had gone ahead, in theory there would
be no legal fireworks in Spain. There are no quiet fireworks
here. Bangs are supposed to be loud, right? The
howl of dogs mingled with the thump of a three megaton banger is the
norm in Spain and long may it continue.
THE RIOJA FESTIVALS
The San Mateo
festival is to celebrate the grape harvest and takes place between
the 21st and 26th of September in the capital
Logroņo
.
The Danza de los Zancos or Stilt Dance takes place in the village of
Anguiano on the 22nd and 23rd July. This centuries old fiesta
is enacted by the men and boys of the oldest families in the village
and features men dancing on stilts which are visible below billowing
dresses. The dance begins at the church and winds its way down
the cobbled streets to the square. The cobbles make it
difficult to walk under normal circumstances, let alone while
spinning around on 3ft high stilts.
PHOTOGRAPH BY TUNGUSKA
The
San Bernabé fiesta 11th June. Small fiesta with street theatre
and free food given to passers by. Also grape treading in large cut
down barrels.
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STILT DANCERS IN
ANGUIANO |
