Cultural Connections

Malaga, Spain

Ronda, Spain

Throughout our tour Antonio was constantly introducing us to fascinating aspects of Spanish culture and history.

Religious festival floats

In Malaga we popped into the headquarters of two religious brotherhoods or fraternities housing the floats used to carry very holy images during public processions for its religious festivals. These types of festivals and processions happen all over the country.

Antonio also explained the very strict rules surrounding these processions. For instance, that it is considered a huge honour to be among those carrying the floats and that often locals will compete for this privilege. He shared facts surrounding the incredible distance and the length of time of some of the processions, how the march and its rhythm is regulated, as well as the weight of some of the floats and the stamina needed to carry them.

So interesting!

What else to say?

These floats are enormous.

These floats are elaborate.

These floats are spectacular.

I guess I will just have to return and see them in an actual procession.
(It is good to dream.)

Holy Relic of Saint Teresa of Avila

In Ronda we popped into the convent attached to the “Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Merced”

- a basilica and home to the holy relic of the incorruptible hand of Saint Teresa of Avila.

I have to admit it was quite humbling to view this relic and ponder on the holy life and sacrifices of the saint.

Legend has it that Franco himself venerated this relic and during his dictatorship kept it in his sleeping quarters. Certainly it was in his possession at the time of his death, after which time the "Discalced Carmelites of Ronda" requested its return, granted in 1976.

On a lighter note, however, I did laugh when Antonio first ushered us into the foyer next to where the relic is contained. This convent is for a cloistered order of nuns. Antonio said that he was going to “talk to the wall ” but that what would be more surprising was that “the wall would speak back”.

This is exactly what happened. But that is not what makes me laugh. What makes me laugh – even in memory – was when Antonio was speaking through the little wooden revolving door to the nun behind it. She answered and rattled away in rapid Spanish (of course). Naturally I couldn’t understand anything until she exclaimed in a delighted voice, “ANTONIO!”

Antonio seemed momentarily startled but then smiled a small smile and looked down, a bit sheepishly I think.

This is what makes me laugh. Too, too fun she recognized his voice, and given her tone, it was clear Antonio was a welcome, respected and frequent visitor with his groups to their doors.

The pictures also include a couple of the Virgin Mary - one of the holy icons housed in a nearby church, transported during the holy processions.  There is a photo of a picture of one of these floats being carried in a festival.

Also a few scenes from the delightful nativity scenes set up by the monks for the Advent.  Antonio said it takes them a full month to put it together.  I well believe it.  It takes me days to set up my little Christmas village.