Context: A roommate of mine from Spain shared a picture of her cousin in a pretty dress. Then she described the dance practice and what people do during the celebration.

Text:

“When I lived in Spain, when I was like a kid from 7 to 10 years old, um we would go to the Feria de Sevilla, which is a fair that happens, like, after Holy Week, every April. Um, and it’s basically a week-long party where people stay up until like 3 in the morning, like dancing and stuff. But it’s very communal because, um, every family gets a casita, which is like a little tent where they have a little wood floor so people can, um, dance.

People are just like dancing flamenco and having a good time and drinking beer and listening to music and wearing really pretty dresses, flamenco dresses for the ladies and very like, nice suits for the guys.

Um, it’s just really fun. And they have like um, and they have a fairground on the side as well. But people usually go for the family and for dancing and having a good time.”

Analysis:

The festival happens at a specific time of year and gives people the responsibility and prep required to put on a successful celebration. As Stoeltje states, this festival sets a scene and a tone, bringing groups of people together with purpose. Additionally, as we’ve discussed in lectures, this is a multigeneric festival. The costumes, food, and dancing are all pivotal parts of the whole. If I didn’t live in a quiet suburb, I would love for us to have celebratory festivities such as these.