1. Semana Santa en España

2. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of the most important celebrations in Spain. The celebration dates back to the late Middle Ages (from about 1350)!

3. The Passion The main purpose of Semana Santa is to reflect on the events leading up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and his resurrection.

4. Los penitentes Semana Santa is also a week of penitence ~ Reflecting on the Passion and asking for forgiveness for sins.

5. Domingo de Ramos Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) marks the beginning of Holy Week. Many people go to church for a special mass. Children are given a palm branch by their godparents. This represents the olive branches laid on the ground to welcome Jesus into Jerusalem.

6. Semana Santa en Sevilla Seville has some of the most spectacular and elaborate celebrations.

7. Las procesiones Large floats called “pasos” make their way through the streets. They have lifelike wooden sculptures of Jesus or the Virgin Mary.

8. Las procesiones The “pasos” travel from their smaller home churches to the cathedral (largest/main church) This may take an average of 6 -7 hours!

9. Hermandades Religious brotherhoods Anyone who is baptised can participate in one Membership in a particular brotherhood usually influenced by family traditions or neighborhood in which a person lives Some “hermandades” formed as early as 1340!!

10. Los nazarenos (NOT the KKK!) The “nazarenos” wear stiff conical hats called “capirotes”. The purpose of the “capirote” is to hide a person’s identity so that only God knows the person. The tall, pointed shape of the hat signifies a desire to be closer to heaven/God.

11. Los nazarenos

12. Viernes Santo Good Friday is commemorated with very serious and sombre processions. They are usually either silent or accompanied by slow drumming.

13. Sábado santo – Easter Saturday This is perhaps the most mournful day of processions, as people remember Christ’s burial.

14. Domingo de la Resurrección Easter Sunday processions are louder and more joyous.

15. Easter Sunday

16. Some of the work that goes into preparing for Semana Santa… Making “capirotes” for “los nazarenos ”

17. Embroidering the cloths for a “paso”.

18. Practicing carrying “el paso”

19. La bulla -the “crowd” - Thousands of people gather in the streets of Seville each year in order to watch the processions

20. Semana Santa 2013 March 24 – April 1

21. http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=UnjhfWV1TRA Semana Santa video clip ~