DIA DE TODOS LOS SANTOS

All Saints Day in Spain (Todos Los Santos) -November 1st. This religious/national public holiday is very important to the people of Spain. Many people from all over the country will return to their town or village to visit the graves of deceased relatives and lay flowers. The Spanish have two birthdays each year, one is their customary birthday to remember the day they were born. The second is when they celebrate the day of their personal patron saint (usually the one they were named after). However, on November 1st each year, the Feast of All of the Saints is held and this particular public holiday is about remembering family members who have died visit the graves of relatives to decorate them with intricate floral displays. For most people, this is a very emotional day. Often the Eucharist, or Mass, is performed several times during the day in the cemetery. As with many festivals throughout the country a number of special dishes are associated with All Saints’ Day like eating roasted chestnuts, castañas, together with small almond cakes, panellets. The tradition or eating chestnuts originates from the legend of a chestnut seller called Maria La Castañada about whom there are many stories. Apparently the almond cakes are in remembrance of the days when homemade cakes and offerings were left with the bodies of the dead. At this time of the year it is quite usual to see in shops huesos de santo – the saint’s bones – which are made from marzipan, eggs, sugar syrup and buñuelos de viento – puffs of wind – these are doughnuts generously sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. In the 10th century All Saints’ Day was celebrated on May 13th until Popes Gregory III and IV moved it to November 1st because they wanted to counteract the pagan festival, the predecessor of Halloween that was held at that time of the year. It was believed by the ancient Gaels that at this time of the year, often known as the Celtic New Year, was when the boundaries between the living and the dead faded away so the Church linked this with All Saints’ Day. Originally as well as holding vigils this was a time of fasting. What started as a time of remembrance of the Christian martyrs changed into today’s custom of remembering all those who have died. One of the traditions of ‘All Saints Day’ is the enacting of the play Don Juan Tenorio, written by José Zorrilla. The final act of this depiction of Don Juan’s choice between salvation or hell is set in a cemetery with the legendary lover grieving over his betrayal of his dead lover.

50% REDUCTION ON VALUE ADDED TAX DERIVED FROM NEW PROPERTY PURCHASES

Starting from 23rd May 2012 until the end of the year, the Government shall apply a 50% reduction on all value added tax derived from the purchase of a property, according to the Council of Ministers. This measure was announced 4 days ago at a press conference by Ana Pastor, Public Works & Development Minister, following the Council of Ministers. This implies that whoever purchases a property starting from today will receive a 50% reward bonus for any eventual value added tax generated by the sale of the same. The reduction applies to both individuals and corporations. The tax cuts therefore affect both individual as well as corporate tax returns. However, purchases made between parents and children will not be entitled to benefit from this measure. The change in policy is focused on revitalizing the anemic Spanish housing market as well as facilitating the sale of stock accumulated in the banks’ balance sheets, which is currently eroding their profit and loss accounts. Anyone who purchases a property as a second home will be able to benefit from this measure. At present, individuals are subject to 100% exemption on value added tax upon selling their main home. This will therefore optimize a stock clearance of all second homes (apartments on the coast etc.) and will aid large investors, speculators or profit-seeking property purchase bonds. SOURCE: MARTINEZ ECHEVARRIA I PEREZ I FERRERO ABOGADOS www.martinezechevarria.com

HOLY WEEK IN SPAIN

I am sure many of you will have watched the processions during Holy Week and wondered what the Spanish names are for some of the elements of the parades. Below are just some that I have discovered.
ANTIFAZ
The hood worn by some members of the procession. Penitentes wear just the Antifaz. Nazarenos wear both the Antifaz and the Capirote.
BANDA DE MÚSICA
The band that accompanies the processions.
CAPATAZ
Person who directs the Costaleros who carry the Paso.
CAPIROTE
Pointed or cone shaped hood worn by the Nazarenos which symbolises repentance and grief.
COSTALEROS
Persons carrying the Paso.
CIRIALES
Members of the procession dressed like priests carrying silver staffs with candles.
CIRIOS
Very long candles carried by Nazarenos.
CRUZ DE GUĺA
Cross carried in front of the procession of Nazarenos.
HERMANDAD
Is the brotherhood or members of a church who take part in the procession.
HERMANOS
Members of the Hermandad.
IMAGEN
Sculpture, typically of Christ or the Virgin Mary.
INCIENSO/INCENSARIO
Incense burned in metal containers (Incensario) hung from a rope or chain and swung about to disperse the scent.
LA MADRUGÁ
Starting late Thursday night/Friday morning. This is a series of processions which can run all through the night until the following morning.
MONAGUILLOS
Children dressed like Ciriales (Priests).
NAZARENO
Member of the Hermandad (brotherhood) dressed in a robe and a cone shaped hood to hide their identity. Colours of robes and hoods depend on the procession.
PALIO
Canopy supported by poles, or Varales which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.
PASO
Float with the Virgin Mary or Christ, decorated with candles and flowers.
SAETA
A serenade sung by one person to the imagen of the Virgin Mary. The Paso stops during the singing.
TÚNICA
Tunic or robe worn by the Nazarenos.
VARALES
Silver or gold poles supporting the canopy/Palio which covers the image of the Virgin Mary.