Mar. 16, 2008 - Field Trip! Semana Santa

Semana Santa is Holy Week, one of the largest celebrations you will see in any Spanish-speaking country.  Beginning today Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday), and going to Easter (la Pascua) schools and businesses come to a halt while people celebrate with processions, worship, and feasts.  Let's take a little trip and peek in one some of these celebrations  Here, we join a Domingo de Ramos celebration in Perú....

Here, Costa Ricans reenact the Passion (La Pasíon):

Here is a beautiful night time Procesión in Perú, in which the street is carpeted with designs made by flower petals:

Here, in penance for sins, Los Penitentes carry crosses in a procesión in Oaxaca, Mexico:

Honoring Mary, and remembering her suffering at the death of her Son is a key aspect of Semana Santa, such as this weeping Madonna in Sevilla, Spain:

No celebration is complete without special foods to commemorate the event!  With all those outdoor processions, icy fruity drinks and snowcones are an important part of the day.  This done in memory of the woman who gave Jesus a drink as he carried his cross.  In Mexico, we would see foods that look familiar to us being served: burritos, chalupas, and quesadillas.  Chicken or fish dishes are enjoyed throughout the week, as many people avoid meat, especially on Viernes Santo (Good Friday).  Crispy fried salt cod (bacalao) is a common favorite.  Easter dinner itself usually consists of lamb.   In Spain, everyone eats torrijas, a sweet, sticky treat that resembles deep fried french toast topped in honey or syrup and powdered sugar:

Children wake up Easter Sunday morning to a basket of chocolates and candies.  The Easter bunny does not figure into their celebrations.

Still hungry?  Here is the fantastic Cooking Diva blog, with some beautiful recipe ideas to celebrate! Yummmm... I think I gained 5 pounds just posting that!

 

 

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