Party It Up In Spain’s Fiestas De Carnaval

The carnival of Brazil, especially of Rio, finds its celebratory twin in Spain’s Fiestas de Carnaval, which takes place around the same time in February. A time of raucous indulgence, extreme gaiety and feisty celebration, it is also an occasion to let the creative threads untangle and unfurl the wild side of your imagination. Of all the pageants held during this time, the best and by far the most popular ones are held in Cadiz, Santa Cruz and Sitges.

Each of these places adds its own distinct flavor to the celebrations. Although, there is no denying the one common theme that runs through all – an undying devotion to unmitigated fun. Taking place from February 7 to 17, the carnival marks the run up to Lent, a time of somber abstinence and denial, which is probably why this precursor to Ash Wednesday is generously peppered with over indulgence, an ingredient that gives it the fitting moniker of being Europe’s wildest party.  Depending on where you are in Spain, you could be a witness to elegant balls, colourful, sparkling parades or soulful albeit satiric songs and music. Each piazza, street and bar worth its name will don the festive hat with locals and tourists dancing till they drop.

Giving real time competition to the boisterous street parties and exuberant parades of Rio is the Carnival Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the largest and best of them all. Declared a Festival of Tourist International Interest by Spain’s Secretariat of State for Tourism in 1980, its crowning glory is the declaration of the Carnival Queen, a much vied for title. Celebrations in Santa Cruz, the capital of the largest of the Canary Islands, have also been declared a Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO in 2011. Among the milling millions here will be found outrageously dressed men and women covered in beads, feathers, mirrors and silks. The Fiestas de Carnaval also hosts several exciting competitions including one for vintage cars.

Cadiz on the other hand gives a contemporary twist to each carnival depending on what’s making news. The bands of musicians on street squares and pubs will often croon original songs, usually witty and satirical, and even the costumes complement the current mood of the times. In 2006 for instance, there was no dearth of the chicken variety owing to the recent epidemic of Bird Flu! Beautiful fireworks and unofficial street parties, which last through the night are a regular affair and don’t be surprised if you wake up the next morning with a bad hangover and a complete stranger on the pavement beside you. Getting carried away is easy and often overlooked at this time!

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of the carnival, however, takes place in a place quite close to Barcelona – in Sitges, the site of gay celebrations, literally. Members of the gay and lesbian communities worldwide attend this festival and it is a perfect showcase for European drag queens. Though hardly on the scale of the parades and parties of Cadiz and Santa Cruz, this carnival is nonetheless unique and sees transgenders, cross dressers, gays and lesbians living it up. The festivities culminate in a spectacular drag show, one of the largest Europe has to offer.

Are you ready with your plumes?