La Feria de Abril – Part 2

Post written by Mariona, a United Planet Team member.

The Recinto Ferial is a very organized area composed of casetas, which are small houses made with different types of clothes and materials. The most common colors are red and white or green and white, the colors of Seville’s two soccer teams. Don’t be naive and think that you will be able to go into the casetas without previous authorization: In order to go into them you need to show the porter your member card or a member’s friend card. Only when you demonstrate your relationship with them are you allowed to go in and enjoy the party. When you finally go in, you can see: chairs and small tables decorated with flowers abanicos (fans) hanging on the walls; people are chatting, eating and drinking; and at the end of the caseta is a stage where different musical groups of flamenco, boleros and sevillanas take turns playing throughout the day. Music is the common thread in La Feria de Abril you can find it everywhere— and a perfect excuse to dance and sing whenever you feel like it. , Feel free and don’t be ashamed of doing that: everybody does it!

At the end of the Recinto Ferial, there is a big area dedicated to different rides which are called “Los Cacharritos”, you can go there to have fun when you need a break from Flamenco and Sevillanas,. (I highly recommend it to you!) You will also find “churros con chocolate” available until late at night, which you can enjoy as you recover from dancing and drinking Fino or Manzanilla and Rebujito, the most typical drinks during offered during La Feria de Abril.

The Sevillanas dancing itself uses to be reserved for specific folk events like la Feria or el Rocio. It is comprised of four different dances. Partners weave between all four by giving nonverbal cues to each other, such as a straight look, facial expression or hand movement—all of which are executed smoothly and enhance to the sensuality of the dancing. It is lovely! Sometimes the sevillanas dance is accompanied by “los palillos” (commonly known by Spanish people as castañuelas, or castanets) and “la caja”, an instrument similar to a box which is hit by the percussionist giving different rhythms.

So, if you decide to go to Sevilla at the end of April, I hope these tips help to give you an idea about what you are going to find there. Otherwise, if you go there with no previous knowledge, you are exposed to a high risk of falling in love with La Feria de Abril! Enjoy it!