The carnival in Spain was originally a pagan rite, which joined later to the festivals of the Catholic Church to say good-bye to the excesses and to prepare itself for the penitence during Lent time. These festivals have a special meaning in Spain, since they were prohibited in the whole country during 40 years, with the Franco’s dictatorship, although in certain places some clandestine festivities took place.
The dates of the Carnival in Spain depend on the liturgical calendar, as it happens in the rest of the world, being celebrated generally during February, forty days before the Easter Week.
Although they are not as famous world-wide as the ones from Rio de Janeiro, Venice or New Orleans, during the week when the carnival takes place all the Spanish cities celebrate these festivals with parades along the streets, costumes, music and masks.
Among these celebrations, the most well-known in Spain are the ones from Cadiz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Palmas de Gran Canaria, each one has its own characteristics.
Cadiz
This Andalusian city sets up these festivals that have been declared of international tourist interest. Every year, thousands of people travel to this city to enjoy, during these days, the music, the wine and have fun, while listening to the street musicians and the bands of local groups performing to the public, laughing at the politicians and famous personages as well, and, at the same time, representing the main events of the year.
The inhabitants of the city and visitors have costumes and masks on. The originality and the creativity of each individual costume, and equally dressed friends’ groups, amaze the public. Many people go out to the streets to see the parades and to enjoy the attractive sceneries prepared throughout the year.
Several contests take place, in which every group sings entertaining songs so that the public laughs. Many of them prepare themselves every year for this moment, but only 4 out of every type (choirs, walk-ons, jokes, quartet and illegal) make it to the final.
Tenerife
The carnivals from Tenerife are the most popular all over Europe. There is an established topic each year; the one that has been chosen for 2010 is
