carnivals outside churches

[Smallest_Sparrow]

in another thread a pilgrim mentioned a carnival-like atmosphere outside the Cathedral in SdC (and I believe he meant that literally, not figuratively). This made me think about something I ran into...where was it? Tall church, sign on the wall that warned not to play ball against it...Oviedo! OK, outside the church of San Isidoro el Real in Oviedo. Carnival music and performers, so loud that the priest shouted the Mass to be heard...

That was my first time in Oviedo; because I crisscrossed routes a few times, I was in Oviedo three different times, and on the subsequent two, no carnival. It wasn't mentioned in my guidebooks, and the desk staff where I was staying had no explanation. I didn't see anything like it in any other city or town...

Does anyone know what this is? Is is kind of like the small carnivals, octoberfests, etc. that some parishes in the US hold to raise money for the parish?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

When in Leon there was a large "medieval bazar". These plazas are tourist place. That's it, that' all. The plazas do not belong to the church.

Funny how some do not like the rifraf on lublic plazas, but don't like them on a catholic pilgrimage way.

 

[KinkyOne]

in another thread a pilgrim mentioned a carnival-like atmosphere outside the Cathedral in SdC (and I believe he meant that literally, not figuratively). This made me think about something I ran into...where was it? Tall church, sign on the wall that warned not to play ball against it...Oviedo! OK, outside the church of San Isidoro el Real in Oviedo. Carnival music and performers, so loud that the priest shouted the Mass to be heard...

That was my first time in Oviedo; because I crisscrossed routes a few times, I was in Oviedo three different times, and on the subsequent two, no carnival. It wasn't mentioned in my guidebooks, and the desk staff where I was staying had no explanation. I didn't see anything like it in any other city or town...

Does anyone know what this is? Is is kind of like the small carnivals, octoberfests, etc. that some parishes in the US hold to raise money for the parish?

Hi, there,

Don't know much about fiestas in Asturias (Oviedo) but here's the link to Galician fiestas if you would be interested:
http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/

Otherwise whole of Spain has fiestas either for Semana Santa and other Christian dates, village/town fairs, turist carnivals, running of the bulls, autumn wine picking events, patrons days etc. etc. No way you could miss one of these in a month long Camino

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Hi, there,

Don't know much about fiestas in Asturias (Oviedo) but here's the link to Galician fiestas if you would be interested:
http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/fiestas/

Otherwise whole of Spain has fiestas either for Semana Santa and other Christian dates, village/town fairs, turist carnivals, running of the bulls, autumn wine picking events, patrons days etc. etc. No way you could miss one of these in a month long Camino

Thanks...although actually in 90 days I missed all of them (except perhaps this in Oviedo, which didn't seem to have a religious theme), Pentecost (just families celebrating First Communion) Corpus Christi (ok could do without random gunfire). And i knew i would hit those two religious holidays due to my purposely avoiding Holy Week. I knew I would not do well in a crowd so looked up fiestas, fairs, and bull fights for my entire route and adjusted route as needed...plaza was quiet when I entered san isidoro for Mass, and I couldn't tolerate hanging around to ask about it when I exited into the madness. Wish I had, since now I will always wonder.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

When in Leon there was a large "medieval bazar". These plazas are tourist place. That's it, that' all. The plazas do not belong to the church.

Funny how some do not like the rifraf on lublic plazas, but don't like them on a catholic pilgrimage way.

Thanks...
Personally I didn't mind it, it just took me by surprise, and I thought I would solve the mystery on my return to Oviedo but never did. I guess it's just a street fair...

 

[Mark Lee]

in another thread a pilgrim mentioned a carnival-like atmosphere outside the Cathedral in SdC (and I believe he meant that literally, not figuratively). This made me think about something I ran into...where was it? Tall church, sign on the wall that warned not to play ball against it...Oviedo! OK, outside the church of San Isidoro el Real in Oviedo. Carnival music and performers, so loud that the priest shouted the Mass to be heard...

That was my first time in Oviedo; because I crisscrossed routes a few times, I was in Oviedo three different times, and on the subsequent two, no carnival. It wasn't mentioned in my guidebooks, and the desk staff where I was staying had no explanation. I didn't see anything like it in any other city or town...

Does anyone know what this is? Is is kind of like the small carnivals, octoberfests, etc. that some parishes in the US hold to raise money for the parish?

Yeah, it was some guy dressed like a ringmaster on these tall stilts walking around followed by some other guy dressed in a large, pink-elephant costume (No, I wasn't drunk at the time ) . Then later on the small plaza just off the steps on the other side of the cathedral near one of the entrances there was an acrobat troupe kind of thing going on with a guy on a microphone loudly MC'ing it.
Both those things seemed pretty circus like to me.
Thank goodness there weren't any clowns. I hate clowns..ha ha.

 

[Felipe]

From September 29th to October 9th it is Fiestas de San Froilán in León. This year, Sunday 2th will be the big day, with a parade of women in lovely traditional dresses, a "Feria de la Morcilla" (morcilla is a blood sausage, a local specialty) in Plaza Mayor, and a "medieval" fair in the square adjacent to San Isidoro (good place for dinner, too). Also, lots of traditi0nal singing and dancing in Plaza de San Marcelo.
I was incidentally there last year; I enjoyed it. It was pleasant and interesting. I did not see any disturbing or inappropriate behaviors. No big crowds; just as the nightly life is always in the Barrio Húmedo. And outside the historic downtown, it was quiet (or busy as big cities always are).
http://leonocio.es/event/fiesta-de-san-froilan-leon/
These activities are an integral and associated part of the festivity; they are in no way opposed to the religious purpose.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

thanks to everyone's guesses. I just want to make clear, I had no problem with the carnival in Oviedo, and it doesn't sound like @Mark Lee did either (since there weren't clowns ) in SdC...it will just have to remain a mystery..one I'd stopped puzzling about until Mark's post reminded me. I should have stuck around and asked...another lesson learned.

I was just wondering if these carnivals, that seem small and local, and are not part of a festival schedule in town, were thrown by the local church (many parishes in the US throw them to raise money, but not with elaborate acts, usually just games, etc), or like a travelling circus, or what...but it's not such an overpowering question that I can't live without knowing...not wanting to upset anyone.
thanks
edit: the one I saw was like what Mark describes

 

[C clearly]

I think these festivals are a long-standing part of the history of the region. Stop at the Museo Etnografico in Mansilla de las Mulas to learn about life of 100-200 years ago, including the fiestas and costumes. Of course the town square is the centre of activity, and the church is there too!

 

[Felipe]

When you ask for information with local people, take note that in English "carnival" covers many different activities. In Spanish, it is
* "Carnaval" (with an "a"), for the merrymaking immediately preceding Lent
* "Festivales" or "ferias" for extended merrymaking and celebrations, as the "sanfermines" in Pamplona, which could last a week.
* "Feria ambulante", for traveling amusement shows.
* "Kermés", for the local merrymaking organized by parishes or city councils, especially for raising funds.
Buen festejo!

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

When you ask for information with local people, take note that in English "carnival" covers many different activities. In Spanish, it is
* "Carnaval" (with an "a"), for the merrymaking immediately preceding Lent
* "Festivales" or "ferias" for extended merrymaking and celebrations, as the "sanfermines" in Pamplona, which could last a week.
* "Feria ambulante", for traveling amusement shows.
* "Kermés", for the local merrymaking organized by parishes or city councils, especially for raising funds.
Buen festejo!

Thank you! (as she pulls up the notes page in her phone to write these down )
How did you know I love learning new words? and such an odd collection I have

so I guess this was maybe a feria ambulante, but I was wondering if it had been a Kermes.
oh, I can hardly wait to use these
if only I had known in Oviedo, maybe I could have had my answer!

edit: of course, my attempt to pronounce them may have caused them to roll with laughter until long after I was back on the road..well, I'm satisfied just know how to ask in the future

 

[Mark Lee]

From September 29th to October 9th it is Fiestas de San Froilán in León. This year, Sunday 2th will be the big day, with a parade of women in lovely traditional dresses, a "Feria de la Morcilla" (morcilla is a blood sausage, a local specialty) in Plaza Mayor, and a "medieval" fair in the square adjacent to San Isidoro (good place for dinner, too). Also, lots of traditi0nal singing and dancing in Plaza de San Marcelo.
I was incidentally there last year; I enjoyed it. It was pleasant and interesting. I did not see any disturbing or inappropriate behaviors. No big crowds; just as the nightly life is always in the Barrio Húmedo. And outside the historic downtown, it was quiet (or busy as big cities always are).
http://leonocio.es/event/fiesta-de-san-froilan-leon/
These activities are an integral and associated part of the festivity; they are in no way opposed to the religious purpose.
View attachment 29266

What I saw (pink elephant, etc) was nothing like what you have posted and described. Traditional celebrations like that are really cool, and I love seeing them. In fact the more of them I see, the better. I've seen similar in SJPdP and saw a bit of it in Pamplona and a couple of other places along the CF.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Yeah, I spent my time running from celebrations
Except in Pamplona...I was not going to move on without getting to see the "faceless" St Michael from the sanctuario north of the city. For the life of me couldn't figure out a way to get up to the mountain. Drove the tourism info guy crazy, just no way to get there from here without a car. As I gave him my best "thank you for trying" and stifled a sigh, he announced "but wait!" in April the archangel goes on tour to all the towns and cities and villages...so the statue is not on the mountain, it arrives here today! Happy pilgrim dance. Stood in freezing cold for an hour, terrified a giant crowd of people would fill the square. After an hour I worried "am I in the wrong spot? Where are the singing children, the smiling nuns? The throngs of the faithful? where is the crowd I don't want to see? Just then a sedan pulled up, a guard opened the door, and escorted a priest carrying the archangel inside. Not what I expected, but the perfect sized crowd for me (less than ten) and I had what I'd wanted, a visit with the Archangel.

 

[madrid12]

A few years ago we were in Oviedo in September and it was the festival of San Mateo and Americas Day. There was a large stage outside the cathedral and lots of music with the piper bands and local country dancing. There were also stalls selling local foods and sidra (local cider). I cannot remember much about Americas day but I think they have lots of floats and celebrate everyone going off to the Americas and returning home, hence the style of some of the exotic houses often in the countryside.