Holy Week

Description

A religious festival whose tradition dates back to the 16th century. The solemnity of its processional floats, together with the fervour of its brotherhoods, gives it remarkable splendour. This is reflected in the Opening Address announcing the celebration, delivered over the years by various notable figures, lending it great significance. Another distinctive feature is the celebrated Cantes de Pasión, particularly in the early hours of Good Friday. These are like laments lost in the depths of the night; unceasing echoes interrupted only by the sound of horns. It begins on Palm Sunday with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, “La Borriquilla”, followed on Holy Monday by “El Cautivo” and María Santísima de la Esperanza. On Holy Tuesday, the Stations of the Cross of Penance and Silence are held with the Cristo del Perdón. On Holy Wednesday, the image of the Prayer in the Garden processes through the streets. On the evening of Holy Thursday, Jesús de la Columna processes, together with San Juan Evangelista and María Santísima de la Amargura. Well into the early hours, one of the most fervent processions of the whole Holy Week is held.

Popularly known as “El Paso”, this features Jesús Nazareno, accompanied by La Verónica, and, as a new addition, María Santísima del Mayor Dolor y Traspaso. It is a moving sight at dawn, along the steep, ancient streets, accompanied by numerous barefoot penitents following its route beneath the impressive singing of passionist hymns and saetas, brimming with a feeling that calls us to reflection. On Good Friday, at dawn, Jesús de la Caída, or “El Caído”, processes, together with Nuestra Señora de la Merced and the Santísima Trinidad, processing for the first time. Later in the morning, the Cristo de la Expiración sets out, accompanied by María Santísima del Amor.

As night falls, with great solemnity, the Santo Sepulcro and the Virgen de los Dolores process through the streets of Villacarrillo, together with their respective brotherhoods. Holy Week ends on Easter Sunday with Jesús Resucitado, bringing to a close a week filled with feeling, devotion and tradition. Most processions set out from the Church of the Asunción, with the exception of the Prayer in the Garden and El Caído, which set out from Santa Isabel, and El Cautivo and El Resucitado, which set out from the Church of San Francisco. In the hamlet of Mogón, the processions of the Nazareno with the Virgen de los Dolores, the Santo Entierro and Jesús Resucitado are particularly notable. All the images date from after the 1940s, with sculptors including Navas Parejo, Espinosa Cuadros, Blanco Pajares and Enrique Bellido standing out.

Holy Week ends on Easter Sunday with a tradition known as the Pintahuevos festival, in which the egg, a universal symbol of life, is decorated with beautiful, cheerful designs.