Spanish stuff, mostly

As I watch the snow blizzarding away outside my window, I think of things going on in Spain at this time of year. In Galicia they have been having demonstrations for the Día da Clase Obreira Galega, commemorating the death of two workers on the 10th of March 1972, killed during a protest in Bazán, in the Ferrol region. About 50 other workers were injured during the protest. It led to unions pushing for improved working conditions and then in 1997 the 10th of March was declared an official day of demonstrations. Despite bad weather yesterday, people turned out to march all over the place. 

On a completely different note, at the end of next week they begin the Fallas in Valencia. Each district of the city builds, usually with the help of a professional, amazing statues which often satirise topical events. At the end of the festival the majority of them are set alight and the city celebrates with music, dancing, eating and drinking and, of course, fireworks. I understand that this started as a way of using up odds and ends of materials in carpenters’ workshops – another work related event then! Now it’s a big tourist attraction. 

Not long after the Fallas comes Semana Santa with its related processions. I remember reading about rivalry between cities, such as between Málaga and Sevilla, to see who could have the best processions. 

Here in the UK we seem to be more concerned with the chocolate side of Easter. Outside Selfridges in central Manchester I came across this huge display of Easter eggs. 

The chocolate makers Lindt also put up an explanatory plaque about how this would raise money for Action for Children. I suspect that it might also raise money for Lindt but it made quite a nice cheerful display in the street. Apparently they did a similar display of reindeer at Christmas, again doing some charity work and incidentally encouraging people to buy their chocolate reindeer. 

Getting back to things Spanish, here’s a link to a display of flamenco dancing, a Flamenco flashmob at St Pancras International, organised by the Spanish Tourist Office in London to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the Flamenco Festival at Sadler's Wells. I wonder if they chose St Pancras station because the arches are vaguely reminiscent of the cathedral / former mosque in Cordoba. Whatever the reason, it made a much more attractive disruption to travel than the one I came upon in Victoria Station, Manchester. Last time I was there they were filming a bit of Coronation Street there. Lots of people were crowded around watching it and I had to get special permission to go and look at the train timetables on the wall, along with a request not to disturb the recording and would I please go round the outside to get to my platform. Have I turned into someone who looks silly enough to walk through a very obvious film/TV recording session in operation? 

All this talk of Spain suggests that we are hankering to get back there. Well, yes, especially if winter continues to refuse to let go of the UK. However, plans are afoot. Ryanair is starting its flights from Liverpool to Porto again (Hurray!!) and we are off to Galicia once more at the end of the month.