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Tradition, revelry, and Sevillian pride - Seville's grand April fair

None of the early romantic writers who visited Seville, such as Byron, Disraeli, Ford, Borrow and Irving, had the privilege of experiencing the, now, world-famous feria de abril, because they had all left Spain by the time the first April fair was held in Prado de San Sebastian in 1847.

This grand display of culture, tradition, revelry and pride blend together to create a unique spectacle that typifies Seville. Even Franco, known to frown upon large-scale celebrations with no religious aspect attached, enjoyed the marvels that this week of colourful festivities has to offer.

It has attracted world leaders, celebrities, artists and aristocracy from all over the world, along with numerous members of the Spanish monarchy.

The fair was the brainchild of two businessman from the north of Spain who had settled in the city. Narciso Bonaplata (Cataluña) and José María de Ybarra (Basque Country) proposed a livestock and agricultural fair in the summer of 1846, and it was given the official green light with a decree from Isabella II. The first fair took place between 18 and 21 April 1847, and there were just 19 casetas, a vast contrast to the more than 1,000 that this extravagant weeklong celebration boasts today.

The Sevillians love of song and dance seemed to make an impact on the fair from the outset, although it was not at first well-received by the farmers and livestock traders. The following year, the traders asked for a greater police presence because they claimed that the riotous shenanigans of the local Gypsies, who saw the fair as an ideal setting to perform their colourful music and dance, interfered with their business deals.

During the 1850s, dozens of casetas were issued licenses to sell alcohol and food, and by the end of the decade, the space for the event had to be extended from the Puerta de San Fernando to the Puerta de Carne.


It was not too long before various attractions and elements were added that began to detract from agricultural activity of the gathering, focusing more on celebration, until the early 1950s, when the agricultural trading disappeared altogether.

The first time a firework display announced the end of festivities was in 1864, although it would surely have been a lesser affair than the grand displays enjoyed today. 

Excerpt from the book - Seville: a legacy of enchantment XIX-XXI

Available from amazon - Order your copy


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