Holy week in Avilés

ELENA ESPINA, EOI AVILÉS, MAY 2007

HOLY WEEK FESTIVITIES IN AVILÉS

(declared of tourist interest)

•Holy week processions

•Feast of “El Bollu”

Holy week in Avilés

•A religious tradition

•A folkloric and gastronomic tradition

Religious processions

• 9 processions from Palm Sunday to Holy Saturday

• 7 cofradías (religious brotherhoods) carry statues of saints on floats, the pasos around the streets of the central part of the town

The pasos are lifelike figures representing scenes of the events in the Easter Passion, the story between the last supper and the resurrection

The pasos are also images of the Virgin Mary showing grief for the torture and killing of her son

The nazarenos and penitents wear long tunics and masks over their faces, and usually conical hats, the capirotes

The nazarenos and penitents may carry processional candles, crosses or even walk barefoot as penance

Special music is played to accompany the pasos, as symbol of mourning and grief

Groups of manolas, black-dressed women wearing shawls and peinetas, the Spanish comb-headdress may bring up the rear

The Procession of the Holy Meeting

Three cofradías take part in this popular procession.The most solemn moment is El Encuentro (The Meeting) when the paso representing Saint John faces La Dolorosa and is "bailado" .

FIESTA DEL BOLLU• On Easter Sunday and Monday, the

people from Avilés celebrate the start of spring and the end of Easter fasting

• The bollu is a star-shaped iced bun

• Traditionally on Easter Monday godparents give it to their godchildren, in return for the palm received on Palm Sunday

• The festival theme is Asturian folklore, featuring regional dress, music and cuisine

On Easter Monday there is a feast in the streets of the central part of the city. Tables

and chairs are set up and families bring along Asturian dishes