Semana Santa in Sevilla

The gelato shop filled with tourists and locals alike suddenly goes dark. The noisy city becomes silent. A young girl turns her attention towards the window, pauses mid-lick and gasps.

Around the corner, rubber faces and hooded figures appear. A giant Jesus surrounded by ruby red flower arrangements are beautifully displayed on floats following masked people.

Easter in Seville has officially begun. Unlike Easters to the West, the colors are not pastel, but dark greens and reds. Braided Easter breads are freshly baked and sold on every street corner. The Grand Cathedral is as crowded as the local tapas joint. Street performers wear their more most impressive garb, portraying characters and angels from scenes of the Passion.

The celebration of colors lasts for almost a week. And as soon as it is over, the planning for next year’s precession begin. If successful. the same young girl will drop her gelato altogether, rather than pause mid-lick.