Todos Los Santos or All Saints Day In Spain
In Spain, this is a serious event where people from all over Spain flock to the graves of their deceased loved ones to honor them with prayers and flowers
The Feast of All Saints or All Saints Days is specifically meant to be celebrated for all the saints but it has become a day for honouring dead relatives. The people visit the graves or mausoleums of their relatives and they place elaborate floral arrangements and candles on them. The streets will be crammed with cars and people when everyone goes to the cemeteries. All Saints Day used to be celebrated on the 13th of May but both Popes Gregory the III and IV moved it to the present date which is November 1 so as to remove the pagan festival where Halloween was derived from which was also held on November 1. Some might say this is just another holiday but it is actually a day that is very spiritual and solemn for most people and masses will be held throughout the day.
Food is the common thread that relates all these festival together. The most popular dishes during All Saints Day are the panellets, small almond cakes, and roasted chestnuts. The eating of chestnuts comes from the Legend of Maria, the chestnut seller or La Castanada and there are many variations to this story. Some might say this is just another holiday but it is actually a day that is very spiritual and solemn for most people and masses will be held throughout the day. "Huesos de Santo" or saint's bones is another traditional dish that is made of eggs, marzipan, and sugar syrup. "Bunuelos de viento" or puffs of wind are doughnuts that are sprinkled with a lot of cinnamon and sugar. "El boniato" is a traditional dish from Catalonia that is made of sweet potatoes. Other traditional food are the sausages, bellota ham, and cheeses.
All Saints Day used to be celebrated on the 13th of May but both Popes Gregory the III and IV moved it to the present date which is November 1 so as to remove the pagan festival where Halloween was derived from which was also held on November 1. The ancient Celtics believed that it is during this day that the walls between the dead and the living disappeared and for the Catholic Church, this was initially a period of fasting and vigils in remembrance of the Christian martyrs and saints and it has now evolved into All Saints Day or Todos los Santos.
About the Author
As a writer I get my articles in various internet sites, cook books, travel books, encyclopedias, and I look deep into my family tradition in order for me to write something really interesting.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here