Verbena (fair)
In Spanish-speaking cultures, a verbena is an agricultural show, modest amusement park, or dance party, especially one held at night. An old tradition, they usually take place after dark in summer. Nowadays, some major cities, such as Barcelona, host "permanent" verbenas (revetlla in Catalan), but these have less tradition character than those that appear for only a few days each year.
A large contemporary verbena features mechanical
There is usually music and dancing, either organized or spontaneously. In recent years, verbenas have incorporated recorded popular music, rock music, and even karaoke, but in Andalusia and even beyond, flamenco and other traditional music still dominate verbenas.[1][2] When the musicians take a break, a runner carrying fireworks (toro de fuego) may dash into the crowd.
The word verbena comes without alteration from Latin. The term originally referred to the plant verbena, from which the term for a fair derives.[3]
Artistic representation
One of the most famous
There is a 1939 film called Verbena Tragica (also known as Tragic Festival).
The song "Verbena de San Cayetano"[6] celebrates a verbena in Madrid.
See also
References
- ^ "The Entertainment in Spain". www.travelnet.co.il. Archived from the original on September 15, 2004.
- ^ "Fiestas". www.hectorocio.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2003.
- ^ "Verbena". Elalmanaque.com. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
- ^ "buy-music-cd.co.uk". Musicweb.uk.net. Retrieved 2014-04-28.
- ^ "La verbena de la Paloma". IMDb.
- ^ "Verbena de San Cayetano". Ingeb.org. Retrieved 2014-04-28.