With all the craic of St. Patrick’s Day last weekend it got us thinking about other foreign celebrations held by different expat communities that can also be enjoyed by the residents of San Pedro.
The Feast of St. Patrick’s is the perfect example of how a religious and social festival from another country has become a day we can all now embrace and celebrate. The Irish are a welcoming nationality, similar to the Spanish in many ways, happy to share their infectious laughter and music with the people that live here. Even the English are invited 🙂 San Pedro was able to join in the Gaelic fun at the popular Irish pubs in town that served Guiness and encouraged dancing until the early hours.
So what other international holidays are appreciated here? And which migrant nations have given us more cultural festivities to enjoy?
From Russia with love!
Interestingly Russia avidly commemorates Women’s Day, which was held on 8 March this year, and apparently this global holiday is more important in their society than Mother’s Day. However another meaningful Russian event to follow this year will be ‘The Victory Day’ on 9 May, when the nation acknowledges those many brave people who took part in World War II.
Last year the Russian community in San Pedro gathered together for a memorial march and carried pictures of their friends and relatives as they do back in their homeland. The procession was followed by a musical concert, held in the amphitheatre on the town’s boulevard, for every local resident to enjoy.
Midsummer Swedish madness
Of the relatively few Swedish bank holidays in their annual calendar the celebration of the summer solstice is one of the most commemorated. The festival, known in Sweden as ‘Midsommar’, always falls towards the end of the month of June and is normally appreciated outdoors in the countryside because of its association with nature. Typical celebrations, referred to as ‘Midsommarstang’, usually involve folk dancing, songs and the hanging of flowers.
In recent years local golf courses in the area have held special ‘Midsommar’ events where guests could appreciate the taste of traditional Scandanavian food and beverages, as well as engaging in Swedish national dances.
Do you know of any other non Spanish festivals enjoyed by the expatriate communities here? Have you had fun with Morrocans? Joined in Salsa with a Cuban? Or drunk at a local beer festival with new German friends? Send us news and dates of events, past and new – we would love to hear from you!