Basic handbook to enjoy the Feria de Abril 2004
The month of April, besides flowers and good weather, also brings festivities. And, as every year, Seville celebrates its famous April Fair. If you want to discover the origin of this joyful celebration, its characteristic elements and curiosities, continue reading today’s article…
Mercantile origin
Did you know that the first Feria de Abril – also called Feria de Sevilla – was held in 1846? The proposal came from two Sevillian councilmen, who proposed to organize a fair for the purchase and sale of livestock. The idea was to boost the economy of the area… And boy, did they succeed!
The councilmen agreed that the festival would last three days. At that time, Queen Isabella II was in power in Spain. The monarch accepted the singular proposal and, a year later, what today is one of the most emblematic festivities of Seville began.
The Prado de San Sebastián was the place chosen to hold the first edition of the fair. Around 25,000 people attended. A surprising figure, but nothing compared to the more than two million people who attended last year.
It is clear that the first edition of the April Fair in Seville was a success. So much so, that almost two centuries later it is a cultural reference throughout Spain.
Although over the years it ceased to have a purely commercial purpose, today it is one of the most profitable events in the country. According to the latest estimates of the Seville City Council, this festival generated some 930 million euros in 2023.
Basic vocabulary
The Real de la Feria: It is the space where the booths are located and where the horses ride. It covers about 15 streets.
La Calle del Infierno: This is how Sevillians call the street that occupies the amusement park next to the Real de la Feria. It has approximately 87,000 m2 that accommodate all kinds of activities for the general public.
Caseta: this is the name given to the “house” that Sevillians occupy during the fair. It is the meeting point, where they receive family and friends. There they also eat typical dishes of the locality, which they accompany with typical drinks.
Sevillanas: typical Andalusian music and dance. In Seville they are particularly famous. Sevillanas are danced in pairs.
Gaita: traditional wind instrument or aerophone from Andalusia. If you want to hear how it sounds, click here.
Tamboril rociero: membranophone instrument that has two drumheads at each end. The tamboril rociero is larger than the traditional drums and produces a deep sound. They are identified because they usually have horizontal green and white stripes on the body of the drum.
Fino de Jerez: It is a dry white wine. It is made from the Palomino grape variety. Fino wine is matured in cellars in Jerez and El Puerto de Santa María.
Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda: It is also a dry white wine, made from the Palomino grape. The difference with the fino wine is that it is matured exclusively in the wineries of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Rebujito: a very popular drink from the western part of Andalusia. It has manzanilla or fino wine mixed with lemon soda.
Caldo de puchero: this is a stew with broth, which may contain beef or chicken. Various types of seasonal vegetables are also added. This dish was born in the kitchens of Andalusian peasants and has become a landmark of Spanish gastronomy.
Caballistas y Amazonas: one of the most emblematic elements of the April Fair in Seville are the horses. Equestrian enthusiasts, who are also known to be good riders, are called “caballistas” (men) and “amazonas” (women).
“Alumbrao”: This is the event that inaugurates the April Fair. It is the lighting of the streets that make up the fairgrounds. From the front, little by little, the hundreds of bulbs that will give light to all visitors are turned on.
Pescaíto frito (fried fish): just before the fair begins, the traditional “pescaíto dinner” is prepared in the “casetas”. The fairgrounds design a menu composed of different types of fried fish. For this reason, the “alumbrao” is also known as “pescaíto” day.
Albero: the yellowish earth that covers the streets of the fairgrounds.
Curiosities
1.For some years now, the City Council of Seville has been awarding prizes to the best decorated “casetas”, in the best style of the Valencian Fallas!
2.”El Real de la Feria” owes its name to the custom that the coachmen had of charging a real to the passengers who went to this space.
3.Likewise, the Calle del Infierno (Hell Street) receives this curious name due to the enormous amount of noise produced by the more than 400 attractions installed along its route. Not suitable for the faint-hearted!
4.The typical flamenco dress, which has become the trademark of Spain, has its origins in the Feria de Abril. Yes, sir. It was inspired by the clothing of women farm workers. In order to look as presentable as possible during the festival, they used to add ruffles, embroidery and colorful fabrics to their humble flowing gowns. This did not go unnoticed by the ladies of high society, who soon turned it into a trend.
From Valencia to Seville
Next Saturday night, April 13, the Seville Fair will begin and will last until Saturday, April 20. On this first day, the lights will be switched on and the “pescaíto” dinner will take place. And, the next day, there will be an exhibition of harnesses. The complete program has been designed for locals and tourists to enjoy the countless events offered by the Andalusian capital.
If you live in Valencia, don’t worry, there are many ways to get to Seville in time for the opening of the fair. For example, Renfe will offer more than 10,000 seats on AVE and Larga Distancia trains.
In addition, the city has activated a special urban transport service to facilitate travel around the city during this important date.
Additionally, you can take advantage of the services of the company Blah Blah Car.
This social network of shared cars usually has a good offer of trips during the festivities and with more flexible schedules than the usual means of transport.
So you have an excuse to miss the Feria de Abril in Seville. Grab your backpack, your sunglasses and go on an adventure. Olé!
We hope you liked our article today and that you have learned a little more about the most beautiful Spanish traditions in the world, don’t miss our next post!
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