If you’re planning on visiting the lazy, laid back town of San Sebastian in Spain, you might need to take your ear plugs with you. The town which is otherwise a sleepy town comes alive to the sound of a thousand beating drums on this day.
Yes, you read it right! Thousands of beating drums all day and night! Spain has always been known for its outrageous festivals. (Remember the La Tomatina!)
But this one just takes the cake!
The parade begins on the evening of 19th January at the Plaza de la Constitution and goes on till midnight the next day, in honor of their patron saint, the Donostia of San Sebastian. What you get to see is a parade of uniformed marchers through the streets of San Sebastian, beating on their drums. Loud, eh?
There is a brief break in the parade around dawn the next day. And we do mean brief. Lasts long enough for everyone to take a quick swig of brandy and a bite of churros. (Deep fried dough sweet snack dusted with sugar!)
Each team of marchers represents the various gastronomic societies of San Sebastian. We must tell you, it is a very intense competition!
The origin of this festival dates back to 1720, where rumor has it that a baker while filling barrels of water from a fountain began singing. A bunch of girls nearby began beating their own barrels as accompaniment.
That evolved into this marvelous festival you see today!
Learn more about Spanish culture and the language at SIFIL!
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