Immigrate to Spain by purchasing property and step into the world of Spanish life: When I first started learning Spanish, my teacher said that two words were extremely important in the language—fiesta (festival) and siesta (afternoon nap). As a newcomer, I just smiled when I heard this, but now, after savoring it, I realize these two words brilliantly interpret the Spanish way of life.
In cities and towns across Spain, there are various festivals, celebrations, and cultural events all year round. From national holidays to weekend gatherings at a friend's house, everything can be called a "fiesta." The warm sunshine and mild climate of the Iberian Peninsula have shaped the passionate and unrestrained character of the Spanish people. They are naturally cheerful, optimistic, and easy-going; even when criticized due to the economic crisis, they do not stop pursuing the enjoyment of life. Spaniards like to say "live in the moment." For them, living a happy life every day is the most important thing. Therefore, in every street and alley, you can hear topics about "fiestas": which day is a public holiday, when there is a long weekend, whose rooftop barbecue is the best, whose house to party at this weekend, and so on—the list is endless. Spain is such a place where you can always feel happy. No matter when you visit, you will have the opportunity to participate in local festivals, large or small, and experience their way of life.
The Carnival of March in Spring
January's Three Kings' Day is known as the sweetest festival of the year. In large cities like Barcelona, there are usually parades of floats stretching for kilometers through the city. The actors on the floats throw candies along the way, making both adults and children feel sweet in their mouths and hearts. In some small towns, the "Three Wise Men" dressed in traditional costumes bring mysterious gifts to the children.
February is usually the month of Carnival. In fact, this festival is not unique to Brazil; Spain, which shares a common heritage with Latin American countries, also has grand and exciting celebrations. For example, Madrid has large-scale carnival parades, and the famous sunny town of Sitges near Barcelona also hosts a week of various parades and performances. Of course, besides the carnival, professional exhibitions also take place. The Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona at the end of February each year, is the largest and most influential event in the global communications field. In 2014, this exhibition brought 80,000 exhibitors and 85,000 visitors to Barcelona. Professionals from all over the world gathered during the four-day event, contributing as much as 350 million euros to Barcelona's economic development and creating 7,220 temporary jobs.
In March, Valencia is already full of spring sunshine. As one of the more important festivals of the year, the Fallas Festival takes place in this season of lush grass and flying warblers. The so-called "Fallas" are giant wooden/paper puppets; the large ones are as tall as four or five stories, while the small ones are only a few dozen centimeters. They are exquisitely crafted and realistically painted. Every year on March 15, when the Fallas Festival opens, artists work through the night at major intersections in the city to build the Fallas. After being displayed for four days, they are burned in a shower of sparks on the night of March 19, St. Joseph's Day. Only the Fallas that win first place in the competition can escape the "disaster of fire" and be collected by the Fallas Museum. During the Fallas Festival, there is also a Miss Fallas beauty pageant. From infants in swaddling clothes to grandmothers in their fifties or sixties, everyone wears gorgeous embroidered shirts and skirts, combs their hair into traditional, delicate updos, and wears elegant little silk high heels. They walk in neat rows on the streets, moving gracefully to the City Hall Square to receive awards, singing and dancing along the way, and interacting with passersby. The scene is truly breathtaking. By the way, as the birthplace of paella, Valencia also makes many foodies linger and forget to return. While admiring the beautiful scenery where the sea and sky meet, basking in the warm and bright Mediterranean sun, and gorging on delicious, authentic paella, followed by a glass of authentic "Agua de Valencia" (a cocktail made from sparkling wine, orange juice, vodka, and gin), how many people would be immersed in such beauty and unable to extricate themselves?
The Wonder of Midsummer Night in Summer
After Easter, Seville in the southern Andalusia region welcomes the lively April Fair (because the date changes every year with Easter, it is sometimes in April and sometimes in May). Those most typical Spanish symbols—traditional gorgeous flamenco dresses, elegant and noble Spanish horses, and dashing, brave bullfighters—can be seen everywhere in the dressed-up city. People flock from all directions to this not-so-large city and quickly integrate into the week-long celebration. Bars of all sizes are packed, and the passionate flamenco music is mixed with the joy of lively conversation. When the mood strikes, they break into an impromptu dance. People just sing, dance, drink, and chat, enjoying the beautiful time in southern Spain.
In May, you will definitely continue to linger in Andalusia. In mid-May, the Courtyard Festival in Córdoba gives you the opportunity to step into ordinary homes and feel the charm of architecture and decoration in southern Spain. As the hometown of the Spanish horse, the Jerez Horse Fair is also held in mid-May. If you think watching traditional flamenco dancing is a bit ordinary, come to Jerez to enjoy the flamenco dance performed by Spanish horses. As the preferred breed for dressage, Spanish horses have always been known for their elegance and gentleness. Jerez has the largest Spanish horse breeding center in Spain, and the world-renowned Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art is also located here. Even if you visit outside of the festival, you can enjoy the best equestrian performances at any time. With the rise of dressage in China, more and more domestic equestrian enthusiasts are beginning to understand and are interested in purchasing Spanish horses, which may become part of future China-Spain trade.
The Midsummer Festival in June is a local festival in regions such as Asturias, Valencia, Catalonia, and Andalusia. It is usually celebrated around June 24, St. John's Day, and is one of the most fun festivals of the year. Spaniards welcome the summer they love so much with all-night carnival parties and fireworks by the sea that last until dawn. The grand scene of firecrackers is quite similar to the Spring Festival in China.
The craziest festival in midsummer is the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. This small town, made famous by Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises," welcomes the most crowded, lively, noisy, and chaotic festival of the year from July 6 to 14. In fact, the bull running activity is just one of the activities for locals to celebrate the San Fermín Festival, but because of its grand scale and extreme danger and challenge, it attracts thousands of brave people from all over the world to participate, and the San Fermín Festival is therefore commonly known as the Running of the Bulls. For more than a week, the former tranquility of the town is completely overturned. You can see people wearing white clothes and pants, with red scarves and red belts (the standard attire for the Running of the Bulls) drinking in the streets, or watching juggling performances, big-head doll parades, and other traditional activities. In fact, bull running is not unique to Pamplona; it also appears in different festivals in other parts of Spain. For example, in the mountain city of Cuenca, which is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, there is a similar bull running activity during the San Mateo festival on September 21 every year.
Good Days for Autumn Vacation
August is the peak season for Spanish vacations. Most office workers go out to travel, enjoying a "summer vacation" that lasts for three to four weeks. Those who stay behind also find ways to entertain themselves. Therefore, on the last Wednesday of every August, the small town of Buñol in the province of Valencia holds the crazy and fun "La Tomatina." During the festival, you can wear a swimsuit and "swim," "bathe," and play in tomato juice and tomato sauce, enjoy pure natural Vitamin C, and then jump into the nearby river for a refreshing bath.
The San Sebastián International Film Festival in September is the largest and most famous international film festival in Spain, and probably the Spanish film festival most familiar to domestic audiences. Located on the Bay of Biscay, San Sebastián actually has good weather all year round and a picturesque coastline. Of course, you cannot miss the rich snacks of the Basque region, pintxos.
Leave Time for Family in Winter
To commemorate Columbus's discovery of the New World on October 12, 1492, Spain designated this day as its National Day, and Madrid usually holds a grand military parade. The Royal Palace of Madrid and many art galleries will definitely make your trip worthwhile.
Entering November, the atmosphere of Christmas and the New Year becomes stronger. The streets and alleys begin to be decorated with lights, and traditional Christmas markets open one after another. From Christmas trees to various decorations, the scene and atmosphere are quite similar to the temple fairs in Beijing or the flower markets in Guangzhou. Spaniards celebrate Christmas just like we celebrate the Spring Festival. Most people will grandly rush home with bags of gifts, have a reunion dinner with their families, open gifts together, sit around the stove and talk, and enjoy the festival.
Spain is just like this, lively all year round, anytime and anywhere. Their work also looks loose and leisurely, which is enviable. Although many multinational companies in Spain now implement a nine-to-five schedule without a lunch break, many small and medium-sized enterprises, especially local Spanish companies, still maintain the long-standing "good" habit—siesta (afternoon nap). Usually, between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, you rarely see pedestrians on the street, and most shops are closed for a nap. People gather in small restaurants or rush home, just to slowly enjoy a lunch, take a nap, or find a place to bask in the sun and have a cup of coffee, and then slowly welcome the afternoon sun, stroll back to the office, and start the afternoon's work.
However, do not think that eating, drinking, and having fun are all there is to the life of Spaniards; they just work hard and play hard. This can be seen from the performance of Spanish companies. Many Spanish companies play an important role in global economic development and are still in a world-leading position in industries such as telecommunications, technology, banking, and construction. According to the latest data released by the Bank of Spain, in the second quarter of 2014, the Spanish economy grew by 0.5%, making it one of the fastest-growing countries in the European Union. At the same time, Spain's unemployment rate continues to fall, far better than expected.
This is Spain and the Spanish people. Even if they do not make rapid progress in a single day, they can move forward calmly and leisurely. Life in Spain is free, easy, and colorful.