The Fiesta de San Isidro in Spain commemorates the patron saint of Madrid, San Isidro. It’s the highlight of the city’s springtime calendar. Each year, the festival starts with a procession of giants and cabezudos (giants and bigheads). Then, an opening speech in the Plaza Mayor. Over the next few days, the city becomes a festive riot of Latin culture! 50+ music, theatre and dance concerts take place in indoor venues and alfresco locations throughout the Spanish capital.
San Isidro was born in Madrid in the year 1082. He was a farmer, which is why he is considered the patron saint of farmers and peasants. He spent a large part of his life in Caraquiz (a town in the province of Guadalajara) dedicating himself to farm work. He returns to his hometown where he dies in 1172.
He is credited with the gift of finding water springs and many peasants pray to him for rain in times of drought. Legend has it that he made a spring sprout, hitting a rock with a rod, in the fields where he farmed.
A simple and humble man, a lover of animals, of whom they say that one winter day while he was going to the mill with a sack of grain, he saw some birds that were going to die of hunger. The Saint removed the snow from the ground and poured half the sack into it for them to eat. Arriving at the mill he discovered that the bag from him remained full.
In addition to the concerts, parades, giants and big heads, puppet theater and multiple cultural and artistic events, one of the most important bullfighting fairs of the season is held in Madrid, the San Isidro Fair. Every day in the Plaza de "Las Ventas" (the largest in Spain), a bullfighting show is held (corridas, novilladas, rejones) with the best matadors of the moment.
Gallinejas, entresijos (fried chicken and lamb tripe), pickles, tortillas and the popular donuts (without holes). They are known as the dumb ones (if not coated), the smart ones (with a layer of lemon) and the French ones (coated with icing sugar).
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Date: May 15, 2023
