St Patrick´s Day. Irish and Spanish Festival Customs

Aims about the activity        
- To promote cultural awareness by comparing foreing and home traditions, namely Irish and Spanish traditions and their patron saints.
- Encourage interest in Irish culture: history, language and traditions.


Students have read some Irish Festival Customs and have compared them with the Spanish celebrations on St Santiago´s Day.   




                                     

  

SPANISH FESTIVAL CUSTOMS

FEAST OF SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE IN SPAIN 

• Hispania was the Roman name for the Iberian Peninsula.
• Many people in Spain celebrate the life and deeds of James, on St James´Day (Santiago Apostol) which is on July 25.
• Saint James is one of Jesus´first disciples. Some Christians believe that his remains are buried in Santiago de Compostela.
• Saint James´Day is a public holiday in the autonomous communities of the Basque Country and Galicia on July 25.
• Businesses and other organizations are closed. Many stores are closed but some bakers and food stores may be open.
• It is a custom to eat oysters and drink “Albariño and Ribeiro” wine.
•  On Saint James´ Day there are special church services to honor the life and work of Saint James. Church officials swing a large incense burner at full speed during this service. They fill the church with incense smoke.
• There are theatre productions and street shows.
• There are exhibitons of art work by artists  born or living in or near Santiago de Compostela.
• There are concerts of modern and traditional music, including bagpipe performances.
• Traditional dance events hold outside.
• There are great processions and fireworks are displayed at the Cathedral. Many pilgrims gather there to worship.
• Common symbols of St James include a traveller´s hat and a scallop shell.