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Feria de Abril (Seville Fair)

Essential Vocabulary

Albero (Pipeclay): Yellow earth from the quaries of Alcalá de Guadaira, typical "rug" of the Feria grounds and the Maestranza bullring. During a very dry Feria... also the rug of the visitor's throats.

Alumbrado (fairgound lights): Generically the name of the set of three hundred thousand light bulbs that light up the main gate and streets of the Feria nightly. The testing of the lights, Monday at 12pm, on opening night, marks the official inauguration of the Feria.

Buñoleras (local fritter shops): Tents that specialize in the massive selling of buñuelos (local fritters) and chocolate to fair-goers traditionally snacking on their way home. These stands date back to the early days of the feria. Most of these properties are run by gypsy families.

Calesitas (type of Merry go round): Name given by local children to the devises that innundate Calle del Infierno, and whose function consists of submitting people to twists, turns and other forms of whirling.

Calle del Infierno (Hell Street): Rides areas adjacent to the Feria grounds. Thousands of people enjoy these torturous, "infernal" rides, making it one of the most popular and lively areas of the Feria.

Mantón (Shawl): Large silk embroidered shawl women of Seville enjoy wearing, covering their shoulders and whose frayed edges have proven, yet no one knows exactly why, to get tangled in the buttons of the suits worn by men, even strangers...

Catavinos (Sherry wine glass): Glass or plastic (no other choice with huge crowds) wine glass, properaly measured for a serving of manzanilla or fino (sherry wines).

Farolillo: Green, white or read paper lanterns that cover the lightbulbs on the streets of the Feria. If an April showers falls, this becomes the nightmare of the Municipal workers in charge of replacing them.

Paseo de caballos (Passage of horses): Circuit amongst the streets of the Feria in which expert riders move about. The established schedule is from noon until 8pm. Peak hour is around 5pm. The colorful attraction of the horses, riders and carriages increases year after year.

Portada (Fairground gate): Huge structure representing one of the city’s monuments. Entrance point into the fair. Traditionally the meeting point for visitors. In the end it becomes one of the most difficult places to meet anyone.

Real de la Feria (official fairgrounds): Area occupied by blocks of tents, white washed sidewalks, tiled pavement and the grand gate. Contemplating this scene and these grandiose fairgrounds justifies paying a ticket to ride the giant ferris wheel.

Tablao (dancing venue): Wooden floor located in the center of the tent, used to dance sevillanas (typical Sevillian dance). This floor comes alive during the zapateado (typical dance step) of the third sevillana.

Traje corto: Traditional suit for men, used primarily by expert horse riders, although also frequently associated with stylish riding-habits.

Traje de flamenca o de gitana: Traditional (polka dot - colored) dress worn by Sevillian women, at any age, and with a lot of style, when they attend the Feria.

Fino (dry sherry): White wine from the Jerez region, served chilled; one of the essential elements of the "mare nostrum" on which the Feria sails.

Caseta (striped colored tents): One of the thousand plus tents built with tubes, canvas and wood and where the Sevillians gather during the week long Feria. These tents for many act as home, while one´s residence is reduced to a dormitory.

Manzanilla (sherry): White wine from Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz province). Less dry than fino. Over the past few years its appears to be winning over the choice of the fair-goers.

Pañoleta: Aside from being a district of the neighboring town of Camas, it is the name given to the triangle which crowns the entrance of the "academy" known as the caseta.

Papa: Cut-off point on the consumption of manzanilla, fino or any other liquid consumed... half baked point. A repeated display of papa can convert the bearer into a Feria drunkard.

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