Colors of Lloret de Mar - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Lloret de Mar is an amazing city with many beautiful traditions and friendly people. It captivates tourists not only with attractions but also with a special atmosphere. Throughout the year, locals hold a lot of interesting holidays and festivals dedicated to national traditions. The picturesque town is a frequent venue for the International Folklore Festival, which is attended by dance groups and artists from many countries. Festival guests can enjoy beautiful musical performances, art and craft exhibitions, as well as fascinating workshops and gastronomic entertainment. A mandatory attribute of such celebrations is fiery flamenco shows. Everyone can learn the traditional Spanish dance under the guidance of choreographers.

One of the main celebrations in the city’s calendar is the Fiesta Patronal dedicated to the patron saint Santa Cristina. The three-day event is usually held in late July. Solemn processions take place in a chapel named after the saint, and the main entertainment action is arranged in the central square. It is here that dancers perform the traditional dance “les almorratxes”, which has become an integral symbol of the holiday.

Applicants for the performance of the dance are selected throughout the whole year. Only the best local dancers of both sexes take part in the show. The dance itself was first performed in the Middle Ages and is now an important symbol of national culture. On the last day of the holiday, the traditional regatta S'Amorra Amorra is held on the beach of Santa Cristina. The history of the event has its roots in the 19th century. At that time, regattas were held on ordinary fishing boats, and now the most beautiful and diverse vessels are selected especially for them. For Lloret de Mar residents, the Fiesta Patronal is one of the main events of the year, so preparations for it take months. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Fans of such celebrations would probably be interested in visiting the city at the height of spring when the traditional April Festival is held here. It is dedicated to the most important areas of national culture, both traditional and modern. During the festival, the best flamenco groups and streets artists perform for the audience, craft exhibitions, fairs, carnival processions are held. The festival is participated by modern musicians and DJs so the music does not stop on the main beaches and squares until late at night.

Residents of Lloret de Mar are big admirers of legends and historical traditions, and everyone is invited to get into this part of the local culture. Each and every monument has an interesting story to tell, a great example is the Dona Marinera Statue. This monument located near the coast is dedicated to local fishermen's wives who are always excitedly waiting for their husbands from the sea. Locals believe that this beautiful sculpture helps to find the right answers to the most important and difficult questions, as well as find the best way to achieve the goals. To get help, just touch the monument's foot and look at the sea, thinking about your innermost wish.

Another unusual monument is the Canaletes Fountain - an exact copy of the famous fountain located in Barcelona. This one was installed in Lloret de Mare in 1968, and now it is one of the favorite meeting spots for lovers. An interesting local legend has it that if a traveler drinks water from the fountain, he or she will certainly return to these places again.

The aforementioned dance “les almorratxes” is considered to be a symbol of fidelity. It is associated with a no less interesting and beautiful legend. When the city was in the power of Arab conquerors, one of the wealthy Mauritians fell in love with a local beauty. As a sign of his great love, he presented her with a very valuable gift - a glass jar with fragrant water. After that, he invited the lady to dance, but the angry beauty broke the glass and performed a dance as a sign of fidelity to her husband.

Since then, this beautiful dance is often performed by newlyweds. Dancers in wedding dresses can be seen during the festival dedicated to Santa Cristina. For Lloret de Mar residents, such beautiful legends and symbolic traditions have become an integral part of the culture. They are always ready to introduce foreign guests to their traditions. Many holidays and religious celebrations are open for participation by absolutely everyone. Most beautiful celebrations are held in the warm season.