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| Córdoba crosses are the most famous. |
The May Crosses Festival (Cruces de Mayo) is celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Latin America and Spain. And in Spain, the festival holds special importance in many parts of Andalucia – particularly Córdoba, which has the most famous celebration.
History
The May Crosses Festival celebrated in Andalucia is probably one of most interesting festivals not only today, but historically speaking. As legend has it, Saint Constantine’s mother, Saint Helen, is the founder of this festival that is supposed to show special respect and veneration for the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.
As the story goes, Saint Helen went to Jerusalem in search of the cross after her son dreamed of a cross that was supposed to help him win a losing battle. Legend says he had his troops build a large cross; they then took it into battle and won the war. This inspired a family conversion to Christianity and a search for the real cross with Saint Helen at the lead. Her main problem was not so much in finding the cross, but in finding three crosses and having to figure out which one was authentic. However, this became clear when only one of them produced miracles like healing the sick and even bringing the dead back to life. She is then said to have become a champion for the cross, urging people to continue to worship it even after her death.
And so this veneration of the cross, however it actually evolved, is the real reason behind the May Crosses Festivals that occur in so many countries.
CÓrdoba
Springtime brings flowers galore to Córdoba, starting with a parade at the beginning of May called the “Battle of the Flowers”. This brings a long procession of flower-covered floats around the city as a sort of welcome party for Spring. Next come two of the most flowery events imaginable – the Patio Contests and the May Crosses.
The May Crosses festival in Córdoba is actually more than a festival. It is also a contest with those who decorate the crosses competing for the big prize from the city hall. This began in 1953 and has been a tradition ever since.
And, in spite of the supposedly religious roots to the festival, don’t expect anything short of the traditional Spanish fiesta when you visit Córdoba this time of year. The Catholic brotherhoods and neighbourhood associations that decorate the crosses, conveniently set up bars alongside to serve drinks and tapas (appetisers) to the partygoers – and let’s not forget the music. In addition to Sevillanas that are played during the day, there are live performances at night, which is also one of the favourite times to tour the city and view the crosses.
Before you begin your tour of the city, stop by any tourist office in Córdoba to pick up a May Crosses Festival map that features large cross icons to guide visitors to participating neighbourhoods. Three of the traditionally most popular are San Basilio, San Agustín and San Andrés.
While the Córdoba crosses are the most well known in Andalucia, there are also May Crosses traditions in most provincial capitals and many villages as well.
The 2008 May Crosses Festival in Córdoba takes place from the 1st to the 4th of May.
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