It´s Easter again and the parades have started.The drum bands began practising soon after the New Year and as they got more sure of themselves, they paraded around the streets to get the right pace. When they were really confident, they paraded and drummed at the same time.This all took place after 10 at night so it was quite noisy!
The Palm Sunday parade was really wonderful. Lots of children dressed as Nazarenes, beautiful palm decorations and the throne itself. It was Christ on a donkey, entering Jerusalem. Beautifully decorated with flowers and shining brightly with silver metal, it was carried by smartly dressed men, followed in the procession by the Parish Priest, the Mayor , children going to their first communion and families of churchgoers carrying palm fronds.
An open-air church service took place when the throne had been safely carried to the church square and the atmosphere was very relaxed and happy.Parades later in the week are more serious, especially the one on Maundy Thursday evening. It takes place with no street lighting on and in silence. Very moving. The biggest parade is on Good Friday evening when all the brotherhoods take part. It is spectacular.The final parade on Easter Suday in the morning is, once again, a joyful occasion.
The Parades in Seville are said to be the most spectacular of all but I really think Pilar does itself proud for such a small community.
No comments:
Post a Comment