Too much holiday kills the holiday.....
and kills me ! We are still celebrating the Christmas holiday here until tomorrow which is el dia de los Reyes, the actual day when we exchange gifts. Then a few days later my village will celebrate one of its saints. It's a little bit too much really and I just feel like imitating the three Kings in the picture below......
I went to Granada last friday to post some parcels only to find the post office closed. I completely forgot it was also fiesta that day. On january 2nd, Granada commemorates La toma de Granada (the capture of Granada) by monarchs Isabella of Castila and Ferdinand of Aragon in 1492 putting an end to nearly seven centuries of islamic domination in Spain. I would love to dig more into this period of Spanish history preceding the Golden Age, but for the present, I'll just say my little circle of Spanish friends here finds this celebration quite controversial. Last year, the commomeration was troubled by a few extreme right supporters shouting racist remarks. Monchéri would never attend it as he sees it as a remnant of Franquism. Actually, only today I learnt the members of the Izquiera Unida (united leftist party) of the townhall traditionally don't participate to the event. This year, for the first time, the townhall hired two extras dressed as Moorish and Christian to convey a message of peaceful cohabitation and tolerance.
I leave you now, my lovelies, because guess what, this evening is another celebration....but this one is a tranquil and romantic one....
pic : i'm so sorry , i don't know where it comes from. My friend Gym sent it to me in an email
I leave you now, my lovelies, because guess what, this evening is another celebration....but this one is a tranquil and romantic one....
Be back on wednesdays !
pic : i'm so sorry , i don't know where it comes from. My friend Gym sent it to me in an email
Comments
I've been trying to downplay 3 Kings day because we have nochebuena and Christmas day...then the 8 days after 3 Kings Christmas festivities may continue...this year, the governor was sworn in too...another bank closing day...it's trial and error getting things done..."Is it a holiday?" read: Is business being conducted today? And then the holidays are really political too, like a battle between Santa and the 3 Kings...though it ends up that everyone just wants to celebrate as much as possible. Columbus day...now there's a controversial holiday!
Thank you for your comment and..you're absolutely right, the catholics kings then aimed at establish a religious unity and forced the Jews and the Muslims to leave the country or get converted.
As you know, the Inquisition tracked every person suspected of being a false converted
Catherine
So Lala, continue to enjoy yourself.
I hope that soon you will be able to get some rest!!!
But regarding the winter Holidays, hang in there :) it's almost over, we celebrate el dia de los Reyes Magos here too. We make a Rosca de Reyes with a tiny plastic baby doll baked inside and whoever gets it has to make (or buy) dinner for the losers/winners... also marks the time I finally get to take the Christmas tree down!
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History is written by the victors.
http://www.parisapartment.wordpress.com
enjoy your tranquility tonight and a most happy new year to you!
in terms of history and now, it always amazes me the varied and complex ways we as human beings can think of to harm one another...
i remember one woman who is a survivor of the holacaust in germany said something to mean... her most favorite thing is a boring evening at home...
As for the celebration in Granada, I applaud any message of peaceful cohabitation and tolerance.
Greetings from London.
I agree with you...I wish I could imitate the 3 kings and have a long sleep to recover..:)
xxoo
and you made me think...yes we do have a festivity overdose...(nw that I think about it)..in India this happens around Diwali,Navratri and New Year...actually the whole year round...we just learn to choose and pick the fav ones..:)...btw learnt a lot from ur post..didnt know so much about Granada...history lessons to a history student..:)cheers!much love...:)