The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin is celebrated every year on August 15. A day that apparently is one of the most celebrated holidays in our country, but where is a holiday on August 15 in Spain and what is celebrated? Are there other celebrations for this day?
Where is a holiday on August 15 in Spain and what is celebrated?
According to the working calendar in Spain, the date of August 15 is marked in red for the entire Spanish territory. That is to say, the celebration of the Day of the Assumption is considered a national holiday so that it is celebrated throughout the country and also since it occurs in the middle of August, it is normal that it has many celebrations in different towns and villages in Spain .
Last year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many of those August 15 parties were canceled and this year it seems that they return, although taking many precautions and security measures to avoid the risk of contagion.
In fact, some towns in Seville , where the Assumption of the Virgin is celebrated in a special way, such as Cantillana, have already announced that this year, they will place the image of the Virgin on the main altar of the Church and it will not be taken out in procession. as is usual.
But why is it that practically all the towns in Spain start their patron saint festivities on August 15 or celebrate a special festival on this day? Well, as we say, to the celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin.
What is the Assumption of the Virgin?
The Virgin of the Assumption (or Assumption of the Virgin) and previously known as the Virgin of the Transit, has to do with the celebration that was dictated from Rome by Pope Sergio I. A tradition that has to do with the ascent to the heavens of the mother of Jesus that has been celebrated since the 7th century , although it is also considered as a festival that was born as a result of a pagan tradition dedicated to the harvest.
In any case, the Catholic Church chose August 15 to celebrate the Virgin’s ascension to the Kingdom of Heaven, an act that was defined as a dogma of faith by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
What is celebrated in Madrid on August 15?
Although the Assumption of the Virgin is the day marked as a national holiday on the calendar, the truth is that not all the festivities of August 15 are commemorated around this celebration. In fact, in Madrid people take to the streets to celebrate the Virgen de la Paloma , a celebration in style in honor of what is considered the “popular patron saint of Madrid” (given that the “official” is Almudena) and that takes place between today August 14 and tomorrow August 15.
And for this year, Madrid has prepared several festive events on the occasion of the Virgen de la Paloma, in this way, in the gardens of Las Vistillas you can attend the Cinemásrock family concert on Saturday with music from the history of cinema, while the The same stage will serve so that tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., we can enjoy the show. The Great Majo from the hand of Héctor San Segundo.
Regarding the musical note, there will be performances by Mari Pepa de Chamberà at 8:30 p.m. and the Malaga singer Nuria Fergó with a concert at 10:15 p.m. today August 14, while tomorrow Sunday the Agrupación Los Castizos will perform (20: 30h) and the rock band La Guardia (10:15 pm).
