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| Feria de Séville | |
|---|---|
| Name | Feria de Sevilla |
| Native name | Feria de Abril de Sevilla |
| Caption | Casetas during the fair |
| Location | Seville, Andalusia, Spain |
| First | 1847 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Dates | Two weeks after Easter |
| Attendance | Over 1,000,000 |
Feria de Séville is an annual spring festival held in Seville, Andalusia, Spain, renowned for flamenco, equestrian displays, and vibrant casetas. Originating in the 19th century, the event draws visitors from across Spain, Europe, and Latin America, intersecting traditions linked to rural fairs, aristocracy, and urban society. The fair features music, dance, gastronomy, and a temporary urbanism that transforms the Real de la Feria into a social microcosm reflecting Andalusian and Iberian culture.
The fair traces roots to a livestock fair authorized under the reign of Isabella II of Spain and municipal policies of the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla in the mid-19th century, intersecting with the social climates shaped by the Carlist Wars, the Glorious Revolution (Spain), and the modernization efforts of figures like Ramón de Carranza. Early participants included merchants from Cádiz, landowners from Jerez de la Frontera, and aristocrats linked to estates in Seville Province, while cultural elements drew from festivals such as the Corpus Christi (festivity) and the Romería del Rocío. Throughout the 20th century the Feria evolved alongside events such as the Spanish Civil War, the Second Spanish Republic, and Spain's transition marked by the Spanish transition to democracy, which influenced access, gender norms, and municipal regulation. Notable shifts occurred with urban planners like those tied to the Exposición Iberoamericana (1929), and later cultural policies in the Autonomous community of Andalusia, resulting in growing tourism influenced by international fairs like the Expo '92 in Seville and exchanges with festivals such as the Bienal de Flamenco. The fair’s administration has engaged with institutions including the Delegación de Fiestas Mayores and private bodies like familial caseta associations tracing lineage to names from Bollullos Par del Condado and Santiponce.
The Feria spans six days beginning on a Monday, typically two weeks after Easter, aligning with liturgical and secular calendars that include observances such as Semana Santa (Seville). Key temporal anchors include the traditional alumbrao inaugurated by municipal figures like the Mayor of Seville, nightly programación coordinated with the Junta de Andalucía, and the closing fireworks often scheduled by the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla and safety services including the Policía Local. The weekly rhythm features daytime equestrian paseos, afternoon corridas historically linked to bullfighting institutions like the Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla, and nocturnal caseta gatherings with flamenco performances influenced by artists associated with venues such as the Teatro de la Maestranza and festivals like the Festival de Jerez.
The fairground, the Real de la Feria, is located in the barrio of Los Remedios alongside the Guadalquivir River and former urban projects related to the Avenida de la Constitución axis. Its grid plan includes Calle del Infierno, a carnival midway comparable to those at the Feria de Málaga, and more than a thousand casetas owned by families, peñas, and clubs linked to entities such as the Real Betis Balompié fan groups or business associations from Triana. Urban logistics interact with transport infrastructure including stations like Puerta de Jerez (Seville Metro), San Bernardo (Seville) station, and links to Seville Airport (San Pablo Airport), while municipal services coordinate with bodies such as the Servicio de Bomberos de Sevilla and the Protección Civil.
Daily highlights include horse parades with riders and carriage processions similar to equestrian traditions in Jerez de la Frontera, flamenco tablaos referencing artists from the Bienal de Flamenco, and sevillanas dancing that echo choreographies promoted by cultural institutions like the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo. The fair features performances by cantaoras and bailaores, appearances by celebrities who have links to organizations such as the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Santa Isabel de Hungría, and contests organized by peñas associated with clubs like Sevilla FC. Nighttime activities involve private caseta receptions, public conciertos akin to those at the Festival de la Guitarra de Córdoba, and amusement rides operated by companies that also serve events such as the Feria de Abril de Barcelona networking circuits.
Traditional dress includes traje de flamenca and traje corto, garments historically patronized by figures from Isabella II of Spain’s court and later style-makers like Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart, 18th Duchess of Alba. Equine culture features Andalusian horses from studs in Jerez de la Frontera and Córdoba, trainers with connections to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre, and carriage makers whose trade links trace to workshops in Seville Province. The attire and horsemanship reflect influences from flamenco families, bullfighting dynasties such as members connected to the Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza, and equestrian exhibitions that have exchanged riders with arenas in Madrid and Cádiz.
Casetas and food stalls offer traditional dishes such as pescaíto frito, gazpacho, and montaditos, echoing culinary lineages tied to chefs trained in institutions like the Escuela de Hostelería de Sevilla and publications referencing Andalusian cuisine promoted by figures in the Real Academia de Gastronomía. Beverages include fino and manzanilla wines from Jerez de la Frontera bodegas, sherries marketed by houses such as González Byass and Barbadillo, and vermouths associated with bars on Calle Betis. Street vendors and gastronomic entrepreneurs participate alongside restaurants linked to gastronomes who have worked in venues like the Mercado de Triana and culinary events such as the Madrid Fusión circuit.
The Feria generates significant tourism revenue affecting hospitality operators including hotels part of groups such as Paradores de Turismo de España and chains like NH Hotel Group, and retail clusters along avenues such as Calle Sierpes. It supports employment through temporary contracts in sectors represented by unions like the Comisiones Obreras and business federations such as the Confederación de Empresarios de Andalucía. Cultural impacts include the promotion of flamenco codified by organizations like the UNESCO listing processes that engaged Spanish cultural ministries, exchanges with international festivals including the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada, and scholarly attention from universities such as the University of Seville and the Universidad Pablo de Olavide. The fair's evolution intersects with municipal planning, heritage preservation frameworks like the Patrimonio Histórico Español, and tourism strategies aligned with Andalusian cultural branding initiatives.
Category:Festivals in Andalusia