LAS CANDELAS. ALMENDRALEJO

DETAILS

Denomination: Las Candelas

Place: Almendralejo. Badajoz

Date: 1 February

Most interesting moments:

The piling up of great wooden pyres.

The burning of the pyres and La Pantaruja.

Spending time together and the night-time party for those taking part.

How to get there: Almendralejo is located on the N-630 and A-66 which links Mérida to Seville.

THE HISTORY

In the 17th century, documents were found which mention the celebration of the Festival of Our Lady of La Candelaria in Almendralejo, which recalls the commemoration of the act of purification of the Virgin Mary after the birth of Jesus. This religious commemoration had its influence on the women in the town and the region who had recently had descendants; they approached the temple to “be introduced”, just as the Virgin Mary did, thereby purifying their children.

Photo: "Patajurra", typical figure is burned at the stake

At present, these customs are being encouraged by the Centre of Tourist Initiatives and the Town Hall of Almendralejo, which have managed to give, with the participation of primary schools, secondary schools, neighbours’ associations, industrialists, businessmen, etc., well-deserved renown to the festival, with the logical cordiality and amiability of the whole town, which has earned the description “Town of Cordiality”.

THE FESTIVAL

On the eve of the Festival of La Candelaria, on 1 February, the custom in Almendralejo is to make large candles in honour of the Virgin after nightfall, as a result of which it is striking to see these numerous foci all over the town, even in the bell tower of the Church of Our Lady of Purification.

This secular tradition symbolizes the burning of the impure, the old and the harmful spirits, obtaining the “purification” of those attending, who maintain the hope of finding peace and health throughout the year in their homes and with their families.

Other ceremonies, no less attractive and curious, come from the candles, such as the collecting of firewood during the days prior to the celebration, in order to make a great “candle” to roast the pig bacon and other products kept after the killing. Another custom is to visit the other candles well into the night, where visitors are given products of the land.

At present, in large areas of various typical neighbourhoods of Almendralejo, people burn in a singular ceremony the so-called pantarujas, ghosts and bad spirits which, like long ago, are made of cloth. Young and old, all lovers of the good customs and traditions of this pleasant town in Tierra de Barros, have made the Festival of Las Candelas, on the eve of La Candelaria, a point of reference in terms of cordiality and regional fraternity, for the residents of Almendralejo and for the thousands of visitors who come to learn more about and enjoy this ancient Festival, in which the stands of neighbourhoods and associations abound. These cordial evenings go by year after year with happiness and regional dances, attracting ever more visitors.