What do Andalusians do or prepare for at the turn of the year?
1. Go where the Christmas lights are!
They are stunning. The tradition to illuminate the town centres is quite a new one, started by Malaga, and they drew in so many visitors that many towns along the coast followed - and now the pride of the inland villages demands they follow suit.
If southern Spaniards spot a chance to exuberance, they grab it. Many a foreigner is flabbergasted by the elegance and festive feel of the lights. Follow the lights!
(Remarkably enough Andalusians are not big on Christmas itself: it's spent at home, with close relatives, without the tradition of dinners and presents of northern Europe).
2. The lucky grapes of New Year's Eve
Before midnight on December 31st, head for the main plaza. You will be surrounded by many, all waiting for the magical moment.
And when it happens, everyone pulls out grapes.
To be precise, 12 of them.
And at every chime of the clock, you eat one.
According to the tradition that dates back to 1895, and became popular at the beginning of the 20th century, this will lead to a year of prosperity.
Ask an Andalucian friend if you can join him or her, for 'las doce uvas de la suerte' is - as anything else in Andalucía - a social habit, enforcing the unity between friends or in families.
3. The King Cake at Reyes
'Reyes' means Kings. And is the name by which all know Three Kings Day.
Put it in your diary: January 6th is the day of days.
Far bigger than Christmas actually: this is a day no Andalusian can miss.
It's a Must for families to gather, with as highlight the dividing of the King Cake.
Traditionally a small plastic or porcelain baby is hidden in the cake (usually gold, green or purple, the colours of this holiday).
Whoever finds it in their slice, will enjoy a year of luck and prosperity - and is responsible for making or purchasing the cake of the following year.
We from InlandAndalucia can't send you a cake, but wish you luck and prosperity. May 2015 be a very special year for you and your loved ones.
Merry Christmas everybody!
www.inlandandalucia.com
They are stunning. The tradition to illuminate the town centres is quite a new one, started by Malaga, and they drew in so many visitors that many towns along the coast followed - and now the pride of the inland villages demands they follow suit.
If southern Spaniards spot a chance to exuberance, they grab it. Many a foreigner is flabbergasted by the elegance and festive feel of the lights. Follow the lights!
(Remarkably enough Andalusians are not big on Christmas itself: it's spent at home, with close relatives, without the tradition of dinners and presents of northern Europe).
2. The lucky grapes of New Year's Eve
Before midnight on December 31st, head for the main plaza. You will be surrounded by many, all waiting for the magical moment.
To be precise, 12 of them.
And at every chime of the clock, you eat one.
According to the tradition that dates back to 1895, and became popular at the beginning of the 20th century, this will lead to a year of prosperity.
Ask an Andalucian friend if you can join him or her, for 'las doce uvas de la suerte' is - as anything else in Andalucía - a social habit, enforcing the unity between friends or in families.
3. The King Cake at Reyes
'Reyes' means Kings. And is the name by which all know Three Kings Day.
Far bigger than Christmas actually: this is a day no Andalusian can miss.
It's a Must for families to gather, with as highlight the dividing of the King Cake.
Traditionally a small plastic or porcelain baby is hidden in the cake (usually gold, green or purple, the colours of this holiday).
Whoever finds it in their slice, will enjoy a year of luck and prosperity - and is responsible for making or purchasing the cake of the following year.
We from InlandAndalucia can't send you a cake, but wish you luck and prosperity. May 2015 be a very special year for you and your loved ones.
Merry Christmas everybody!
www.inlandandalucia.com
I love when comes Christmas is a very special family time. Continue with traditions are important in this time of the year. I would like to try this cake some day when I travel to Spain.
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