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....

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

As a Jew, I see another unmentioned controversy in that commemoration....history is always more complicated than our traditions would like to admit!
Lala Ema, We have extended holidays here in Puerto Rico,too.
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!
Cecile, i've just seen your comment before shutting up the computer.

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
So many holidays! I agree with you...imitate the 3 kings.
ceecee said…
It's all so exhausting! I love the title of your post!!! So true. But enjoy what is left of it - especially the romance and tranquillity.
Catherine
Dakota Bear said…
Hooray for the holidays, people are so much more thoughtful and kind.

So Lala, continue to enjoy yourself.
Tess Kincaid said…
Fascinating, your el dia de los Reyes.
Unknown said…
Aqui tambien se festejan reyes, pero ellos solo traen regalos a los niños,afortunadamente!!
Susana said…
Hola Lala... I understand how you feel. It is a bit of "festivity overdose"! Last night we had a procession walking past our house in our village, and I thought it was Los Reyes procession, but thought it was a bit strange as the Reyes eve is tonight and not yesterday... well, later I found out that last night's was the "Pajes" procession: the Pajes are the Kings' escorts who come earlier to pick up the letters from the kids asking for their presents. So last night "la cabalgata de los pajes" and tonight we will have "la cabalgata de Los Reyes" and tomorrow "El dia de los Reyes". Aaaagggghhh! My husband and I will be hiding at home under a blanket, and watch some good movie cuddling up together! Besos...
paris parfait said…
Ah, yes - always some controversy involved in Spanish history. Enjoy the extended celebrations! Feliz Ano Nueva! xoxox
Staci said…
Thanks for enlightening me about the culture there. I had no idea that your celebrations was so long nor about all the conflict!!

I hope that soon you will be able to get some rest!!!
Yoli said…
Being part Arab myself I would find it hard too. We do celebrate the Three Kings Days as we did since we lived in Cuba.
Gabbi said…
'La toma de Granada' sounds a lot like Columbus Day here dear Lala, many Italian-American's are proud of him and celebrate their heritage on this day (in october) while others argue that historically he didn't actually discover the region while others still condemn the holiday because of the mistreatment that the natives Americans suffered after the conquistadors landed... with all the controversy the holiday is sort of fading. Now just certain government agencies and public schools observe it.

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!
vicki archer said…
Party and enjoy - it will be over soon and then sleeping will seem dull in comparison! xv
ipv6 said…
..history is always more complicated than our traditions would like to admit!
------------------------
History is written by the victors.
ipv6 said…
Ant that about it
I never thought I'd be so over the holidays! We celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in my family (it ends today) but it seemed like a really long period this year. Yours sounds infinite! Just found your lovely blog through Paris Atelier and am glad to meet you!

http://www.parisapartment.wordpress.com
l'air du temps said…
i was just thinking of this holiday. happy 3 kings day my dear. i remember things shutting down just before christmas and not opening again until after january 6th. it was great for my social life in spain and tough on my pocket book, as i did not get paid for 3 weeks. ugh, the pleasure and the pain of it all...

enjoy your tranquility tonight and a most happy new year to you!
l'air du temps said…
i was just thinking of this holiday. happy 3 kings day my dear. i remember things shutting down just before christmas and not opening again until after january 6th. it was great for my social life in spain and tough on my pocket book, as i did not get paid for 3 weeks. ugh, the pleasure and the pain of it all...

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...
Dutchbaby said…
Happy Three Kings Day! The photo is amazing. Does this mean that there was still no room at the inn in Bethlehem on January 6th and the three kings had to share a bed?

As for the celebration in Granada, I applaud any message of peaceful cohabitation and tolerance.
Yes, Spain is holidays' country. I still remember 6th January and how many people celebrated the Three Wise Men covertly. Enjoy your rest.

Greetings from London.
Feliz Nuevo Ano!
I agree with you...I wish I could imitate the 3 kings and have a long sleep to recover..:)
christina said…
I love this title, it is so very true. ; )

xxoo
Indyeah said…
I am sure the 'tranquil n romantic' evening was all you thought it would be..:)...
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...:)
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Popular Posts