More than 3,000 fiestas are celebrated every year including fairs, carnivals, degustacions (food samplings), passion plays, pilgrimages and processions.
Every town and village, no matter how small, holds at least one a year. On Dec 31st 2004 I paid a trip to the New Year Fiesta in Nerja. Silly hats, even sillier masks, over- priced drinks and an out of tune band made the night even more enjoyable.
Flamenco
This is the traditional dance of Spain and it is usually performed by beautiful women in flowing voluptuous frocks.
And some men as well (but not in the frocks…well some of them maybe!).
The origins of flamenco actually stem back to the kata khali dancing of India, but it was first brought to Spain by the gypsies. Throughout the years it has evolved greatly in response to growing trends. 'Flamenco joven' (young flamenco) is the most recent version and it is far more upbeat than traditional flamenco.
Flamenco became particularly popular from 1875 to 1900, but during the Franco years it was banned.
There are three parts to flamenco - cante (the song), baile (the dance) and guitarra (no prizes for guessing)
