Semana Santa and Catholic processions in Jerez de la Frontera (part 1)

Religion, meaning here Catholic Christianity, is a very important part of life in southern Spain including Jerez de la Frontera, where I find myself.  In late February, the Catholic brotherhoods began practicing for the Semana Santa processions.  Semana Santa is a week-long celebration that takes place in the seven days prior to Easter Sunday.  This year, it begins on April 13 (Palm Sunday) and ends on the day before Easter, April 19.

 A paso with the Virgin Mary, church leaders in front.

It is one of the most important celebrations in Jerez de la Frontera and many other cities in Spain.  In Spain, the idea of separation of church and state is not the norm, and not only does the country consider itself (Catholic) Christian, but the government gives a lot of money and many special privileges to the church.

The centerpiece of these processions are the pasos, religious floats weighing several tons, carried on the shoulders of strong young men.  The pasos require between 24 and 40 guys to carry them, and they have to practice and train for weeks beforehand.

There are 35 guys carrying the paso frame here.

At first, they only carry the frame of the float, but gradually, more weight is added until finally, they can carry the completed float with all that is on top:  life-sized wooden figures of Jesus Christ and others, hundreds of pounds of gold and silver leaf, figures of the Virgin Mary wearing very heavy, embroidered velvet, and on one paso, a live, fully grown olive tree.

MORE on Semana Santa in the next post.