A peek at Spain’s upcoming holidays By www.peek-at-spain.com | September 27th, 2010
Everybody knows that holidays are the perfect excuse for food and celebration, and when you’re eating and celebrating in Spain, it gets even better. The months of October and November begin a festive holiday season leading up to the religious holidays of December. Here’s what ‘s coming up.October 9: The Day of Festive CommunityThis celebrates the day in 1238 when Valencia was conquered by King Jaime I and made an autonomous kingdom. The festivities begin two days in advance with a staged performance of Valencia’s surrender. On October 9, an official procession starts at noon, with parades and dancing throughout the day.October 12: Hispanic DayObserved on the same day as Columbus Day in North America, this national holiday was originally called “Day of the Race” and celebrated the first meetings between Europeans and Native Americans. It was changed to “Hispanic Day” in 1957 in Spain, but is still celebrated by its original title in other Latin American countries, and as the “Day of Indigenous Resistance” in Venezuela.October 25: Day of the Basque CountryThis holiday is scheduled to begin next year, and will celebrate the 1979 ratification of the Guernica Statute of Autonomy. This set up a parliamentary government for the Basque people, although 40 of the Spanish electorate abstained in the original ratification.November 1: All Saints DayCelebrated more religiously in Spain than it is in America (where it’s not a Holy Day of Obligation if it falls on Monday or Saturday), this date remembers all those who have been granted the beatific vision in Heaven. People celebrate by making offerings to their saints of choice.