Santiago de Compostela Carnival 2012

Santiago de Compostela Carnival 2012 – A flood of colour amidst a land of glorious and green.

Santiago de Compostela is the capital of Galicia in the north west of Spain. This World Heritage City is famous for its monumental cathedral, being the final destination for the annual Saint James pilgrimage, and is a fine example of historical, urban and environmental regeneration.

In March, the Santiago de Compostela Carnival 2012 is taking place. To mark the beginning of Lent, this cultural and historical capital in any historian’s eyes, is converted into a chaotic world of satirical fancy dress.

This vivacious event reaches its pinnacle at the grand cathedral’s gates where the carnival performs a painstakingly well-rehearsed show in front of the thousands of carnival revellers pouring onto the streets of Santiago de Compostela to witness a fiesta, flamboyant even in Spanish terms.

Traditional and delicious food features heavily throughout the carnival, with pork, conjured up in various forms, and savoury pancakes being handed out in abundance. On Shrove Tuesday itself, the city embraces itself for a Mardi Gras parade, which winds through the ancient streets comprising of floats, traditional Galician costumes and many loud yet talented brass bands.

To mark the end of the carnival, on Ash Wednesday the crowds of local, national and international carousers make their way to the Praza do Toural where the celebrations reach their zenith!

Here the crowds listen to the carnival verse that satirically mocks both the year’s events in the city as well as some of local characters. This heart-racing and spirited event finally concludes with the ceremonial burning of the Meco, which is the symbol of the carnival.

Laughter and fun is at the heart of this joyous event and if you are thinking of travelling to the gloriously green lands of Galicia next March, be sure to put its capital, Santiago de Compostela, on your calendar.

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