Last weekend I saw my first flashmob*. It wasn’t a political statement, or a piss-take – not that there’s anything wrong with them. It was people dancing because they love it – for the sheer joy of clapping and twirling…
A to Z of Sevilla: Part One, A-F
The Alcazar, Seville’s Mudejar delight: a perfect example of the synthesis between Spanish kings and Moorish craftsmen. What defines a city? What is that essence which gives it an identity all of its own – the strange, arcane customs? The architectural…
Feria II: Suits you, sir (and you too, madam)
Supremely elegant: an amazona in a traditional suit for riding side-saddle, at the Feria de Abril in Sevilla. Yes, I know it finished nearly a week ago, but I spent the last week catching up on all the work I…
The Andalucian-ness of Andalucians
Andalucians have a sense of local loyalty like noone I’ve ever encountered. They are fiercely proud of their Andalucian-ness, with famous cultural markers such as Moorish architecture, flamenco, bullfighting and Lorca inspiring the kind of adoration that borders on obsession. This sense…
Viva la Feria!
So, it’s all over for another year. Tonight its the last night of the Feria de Sevilla, although most Sevillanos haven’t been since Friday – the weekend is for the foraneos (outsiders); much fewer women dress up in their trajes…