Summer School for Kids in Illora

With the children in Spain beginning their long summer holidays very soon, I can imagine some parents finding this Summer School very helpful. 3 to 31 July 2017

Dia de Andalucia - 28 February 2017

The 28th of February is celebrated each year as a Public Holiday - Andalucia Day.
This year the Town Hall are celebrating with a Theatre event - details on the poster below.

Illora Carnaval February 2017

The annual Illora Carnaval took place in town last week.

As usual, there were some fantastic costumes, with everyone getting involved.
Lots of fun was had - a procession through the streets of Illora, followed by a judging of the costumes.

Here are just a few of those that took part - what brilliant costumes - do you recognise anyone?

Fuente - Fountain

Around the town of Illora, you can spot several Fuentes, or Fountains.
Over the last couple of years, several of these have been restored, including this one that can be found on the road from Alomartes into Illora, on the corner before the main roundabout.

San Rogelio

Saint Rogelio was a Monk born around the 9th Century, in Illora. He lived in the Sierra Parapanda region, during the period of religious intolerance in Spain.He travelled with a Monk named Servideo to Cordoba where he became an apostle. Here he was condemned and executed for his defense of Christianity on 16 September 852. He became a martyr for life and is now known as Saint Rogelio.

Several years ago, the people of Illora decided to commemorate this Saint by designing and erecting a statue on the roundabout at the top of the High Street. These pictures show the statue from design stage, how it would look imposed on a Google street view image, and the statue finally in place waiting to be uncovered. 

 

 

 

His statue is also to be found in the church in Illora

  On the Day of Saint Rogelio, he is proudly paraded through the town 

 

Christmas Celebrations in Andalucia

Throughout the province, from the beginning of December until January 6th and the arrival of the Three Kings, everyone in Granada is beginning to decorate their towns, villages, Churches, homes and shops, with Belens (Nativity Scenes) and other Christmas decorations.

Here are a few that we have spotted on our travels over the last week in various locations.

Feliz Navidad!

Chrsitmas Events in Illora

All Saints Day - Todos Los Santos

All Saints Day in Spain (Todos Los Santos) takes place on November 1st. It is a very important national public holiday when people from all over the country return to their town or village to lay flowers on the graves of deceased relatives. There are few religious days that mean quite so much to the ordinary people of Spain as this solemn festival.

 Most people will visit the graves of relatives and decorate them with elaborate floral displays.The Eucharist, or Mass, will often be performed in the cemetery several times during the day.

Halloween in Illora - Marimantas Illorunas 2016

Monday 31 October 2016 18.00 - 22.00

Around the streets of Illora, Ghosts and Ghouls walk in the dark shadows, recounting tales of times gone past. Its quite spooky, especially when you hear the music that follows them, and walking in the darkness, with only candlelight to show your way. It's Illora's traditional way of celebrating Halloween.

More alleyways and ginnels

Following on from my previous blog post about the alleyways around Illora town, here are a couple more. They are quite steep, and impossible to drive a car either up or down them.

Illora Feria de Ganado 2016

So today is the final day of the Feria in lllora and unfortunately its a rainy day. The first 4 days have had fantastic sunny weather, so I guess one day out of 5 isn't too bad.
The Illorquenses turned out in their hundreds, young and old alike, most dressed in their finery and traditional Spanish costumes and partied from early morning, until late at night. with an enormous choice of pop up cafes and bars, the streets came alive to the sound of traditional music, especially on the Vino stalls and from the 80s disco bar, loudly competing with each other to be heard. There were probably around 50 stalls selling everything from handbags and scarves to live ducklings, sweet pancakes and of course the enjoyable chicken kebabs.

Programme of Events for the Illora Feria 2016 - Real Feria de Ganado de Illora

Alleyways and Ginnels of Illora

Around the town there are many short-cuts, ginnels, snickets and alleyways that cross from one street to another, yet these passageways are too narrow to allow for a car to pass by.

Over time, its our intention to discover and explore as many of these narrow alley ways as possible. I'm sure in years gone by that donkeys would carry their passengers along these narrow streets.

Illora Animal Feria October 2016 - Real Feria de Ganado

The dates have been confirmed for the annual Illora Animal Fair (Real Feria de Ganado) - 8 to 12 October 2016, this year beginning on a Saturday, allowing the final day, Wednesday to take place on the public bank holiday.

The weather forecast promises to be a good one - so far!
Pics to follow after the event.