Semana Santa & Catholic processions in Jerez de la Frontera (part 2 of 2)

This is a small paso, but allows you to see the Christ figure in a little detail.  Many processions start in the afternoon and go on all night.  Some start at midnight and continue on until mid-day the next day.  All of the have a set route, and all of them pass through the cathedral, where they are blessed by the bishop.

You can see the front of a procession towards the rear of this photo.  In front, there is a cart with various candies, and other snack food.  These events are religious but are also a time to celebrate ones' cultural heritage, and many people feel free to enjoy themselves with their families, drinking beer or a glass of wine in a local bar, buying sweets for the kids, etc.

 

With a very few exceptions (where, for example, the brotherhood presenting the procession has taken a vow of silence), the processions are also accompanied by a band.  There are lots of drums but also (see towards the background) a sizeable brass section and flutes, etc.

Here is a close-up of another paso, one dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  She always seems to be accompanied by massive and beautiful candles (which are lit at night), and she wears a very heavy, velvet brocade cape that trails behind her, nearly touching the ground.  Remember that the entire paso is being carried on the shoulders of guys, so for the train to nearly touch the ground means a long, long train.

And that's enough for Semana Santa for this year.  Happy Easter if you're Christian, and have a good day if you're not.