Colors of Isla Canela - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Expressive, lively, and unexpected – local people have all these features. They never know what happens “mañana” (by the way, this is the most favorite world of Spanish people that tourists will hear many times during their travel in Isla Canela), in other words, tomorrow. They treat tourists well and treat every person individually. If a local person likes you, he or she will be ready to do everything to make sure the friend feels great and enjoys the stay. Enjoyment is an important category for local people and something they truly care for.

Friendly and good-spirited, local people are great friends. They will never leave their friend in trouble because “friendship” and “honor” are not mere words for them but some of the major values in line with family. Families are usually big – it is rare to see a family with only one kid. As a rule, there are far more kids. Local people are quite moody and can change their mood quite fast. Because of that, it is sometimes virtually impossible to predict them.

Undying optimism is an envious character trait that local people are famous for. Locals simply never think about things that bring sorrow and hurt. This is the reason for a somewhat relaxed approach to life – why hurrying somewhere, it is better to enjoy every moment in life. By the way, every moment is unique and will never happen again. This is a life philosophy of indigenous people, which protects them from depression. Perhaps, Margaret Mitchell should have made her fictional character, Scarlett O'Hara, an Andalusian because only a true Andalusian woman could say the phrase “After all, tomorrow is another day”. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Perhaps, politics and religion are the only themes that tourists are better to refrain from talking about. Nevertheless, a Spanish person will definitely not be offended if someone has another opinion on these subjects. Local people can talk about everything, they are open to everything and do not see anything bad in that. There is even a special term in the Spanish language, Piropear, which means the art of compliments. Men need to master the art of making compliments and women – the art of accepting them. A good sense of humor is also an important and very valuable trait of character here. That being said, etiquette and manners are not among the strongest points of local people. Of course, they are not defiant, but something that would sound almost rude to a British, for example, asking a question without apologizing first, is absolutely normal for a resident of Isla Canela.

Locals are true masters when it comes to having fun. Numerous colorful festivals that regularly take place in the region are another proof of that fact. For example, Ayamonte, a town not far from Isla Canela, hosts a colorful carnival that has much in common with the carnival in Brazil. This is one of the largest events in the province of Huelva that always attracts hundreds of tourists who come to see Comparsas (masquerades) and listen to Chirigota (folk satirical songs). The carnival’s date usually coincides with the Rio Carnival and depends on the beginning of the Lent. The whole event is a kind of a “goodbye party” before fasting. The location is usually the same - Teatro Cardenio.

Ayamonte also hosts one more interesting festival dedicated to Nuestra Señora de las Angustias. The event falls to September 8. The schedule includes parades in Plaza San Francisco, Plaza Cornacion or Plaza España. After that, local people start a pilgrimage to the church. There is always a trade fair and an exhibition of artworks created by local artisans. Visitors can also attend interesting master classes. There is an interesting legend about the patron saint, and local people tell it gladly. The only thing that tourists need to do is to ask.

Catholic holidays are also widely celebrated in the region. Many of them have interesting peculiarities. For instance, Corpus Christi is impossible to imagine without group singing, fair trade with local delicacies and wine, and dancing performances (of course, flamenco is the major dance). As a rule, the holiday falls to the end of May, and the event is an open-air one because the weather is usually fine at this time of the year. The night between June 23 and 24 is the time for Fiesta de San Juan. During this event, visitors can participate in an exciting event – local people make fires on the beaches in order to lay spirits. At least, this is what local people believe in, and so they participate in this ritual energetically.

Asunción or the Assumption of the Mother of Christ is one more widely celebrated holiday that traditionally falls to August 15. This is the time for festive divine services, processions on the main streets of the city, and theatrical performances. Día de Andalucía is one more widely celebrated holiday, which falls to February 28. Sometimes, the festival and the carnival start on the same day. In this case, the holiday is no less colorful than the carnival in Rio. For tourists, it is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the local culture, try traditional Andalusian food, and watch traditional performances.