Fiestas del Pilar

 

This is Zaragoza's largest and most famous festival and has been declared a festival of National Tourist Interest by the Spanish government. Starting around the second week of October with the opening ceremonY called " el pregón" the party goes on for nine more, authentically Spanish, festive-filled days. 

Highlights of the week, like most festivals here, come from a strong religious tradition. The first is "La ofrenda de flores" (the flower offering) to the Virgin on the 12th. This offering of thousands of flowers from people all over the world is definitely a sight not to be missed. Don't worry, you'll have lots of time, as the procession itself takes about 10 hours all together. Different groups gather near Plaza España, where they start their march towards the basilica. Donning traditonal regional costumes, they line the streets holding elaborate, carefully crafted bouquets made especially for this day. They slowly make their way towards Pilar Square. Once in the plaza, they patiently await their turn to lay their offering in front of the Virgin, the patron saint of both Zaragoza and Spain. The flowers are then taken to be woven into a beautiful, colorful and extremely fragrant cloak for the statue of the Virgin. The other two processions are the Offering of Fruits and the Glass Rosary, which is held on the evening of the 13th. 

Before, during and after these processions, the city hosts a number of concerts, theater performances, exhibitions, markets, contests, sporting competitions, bull chasing, bullfighting and much more. Jotas and traditional Aragonese folklore performances can be seen in Plaza Pilar and in other important squares of the city, such as Los Sitios Square. For more modern music, check out what's on at Espacio Zity. The most anticipated and probably most dangerous event is the famous "Vaquillas", where people chase, or are chased by, bulls in the ring. 

If you still have energy after all that, you may find it fun to be chased by the "gigantes" and "cabezudos", papier-mache giants and big heads , a favourite event among Zaragoza's children. They made their first official appearance around the year 1659, and have been running the streets, shaking sticks and taunting children, ever since.

Again, like almost all Spanish festivals, the action of the week would not be complete without an enormous display of fireworks.  Get to the stone bridge early for a good spot to watch this amazing end to a fantastic festival.