Seville cancels 2021 Easter Week processions
30/12/2020
After the cancellation of Seville's Feria de Abril announced by the city's mayor a week ago, it was only a question of time before the famous Holy Week processions were also cancelled because of the coronavirus health crisis.
Yesterday morning, the Archbishopric of Seville released a statement confirming that the archbishop, monsignor Juan José Asenjo, had signed a decree cancelling all the Holy Week processions for next year because of the coronavirus pandemic
The decree, signed by the archbishop, states that "taking into consideration the organisational complexity of the external displays of popular religion" which take place during not only during Passion Week, but also during Lent, the church "feels obliged" to take decisions that "help stop the spread of the pandemic."
The announcement added that "the numerous civil and health authorities consulted" continued to advise against "large gatherings of people" in view of the incidence of the illness and the planned vaccination programme.
Certain small gatherings to celebrate Holy Week will be allowed with the express permission of the Archbishop granted at least 30 days in advance, provided they meet "the health authority rulings in place at the time".
The last time Sevilla did not hold its famous Holy Week processions was in 1933, because of the political instability in the country during the 2nd Republic. But you have to go back 200 years in the country's history to find another period when the street processions were not held for two or more consecutive years - between 1820 and 1825 to be precise - again for reasons of political instability.
In total, more than 100,000 people take part in the city's famous Easter processions and some 1,700 main streets are closed off to accommodate the spiritual pilgrimage to the stations of the cross.
Huge numbers of businesses in the city will be affected by the decision to cancel the religious processions. For some of the bars and restaurants in the historic city centre Holy Week equates to 50% of their annual turnover, and there have been calls for initiatives to help this sector of the local economy which is now facing a critical first quarter.
Hotels in the city and surrounding area will also feel the effect of the cancellations at this crucial time of year for them. Despite inclement weather in the second half of Holy Week last year, there was 90% occupation for the week. The mayor of Seville, Juan Espadas, held meetings yesterday with the Association of Travel Agents and with the city's hoteliers, in which agreements were reached on reductions in municipal taxation and the cost of refuse collection, financial aid towards marketing campaigns, tourist incentives, and the promotion of cultural events in the city within the existing healthcare norms.
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After the cancellation of Seville's Feria de Abril announced by the city's mayor a week ago, it was only a question of time before the famous Holy Week processions were also cancelled because of the coronavirus health crisis.
Yesterday morning, the Archbishopric of Seville released a statement confirming that the archbishop, monsignor Juan José Asenjo, had signed a decree cancelling all the Holy Week processions for next year because of the coronavirus pandemic
The decree, signed by the archbishop, states that "taking into consideration the organisational complexity of the external displays of popular religion" which take place during not only during Passion Week, but also during Lent, the church "feels obliged" to take decisions that "help stop the spread of the pandemic."
The announcement added that "the numerous civil and health authorities consulted" continued to advise against "large gatherings of people" in view of the incidence of the illness and the planned vaccination programme.
Certain small gatherings to celebrate Holy Week will be allowed with the express permission of the Archbishop granted at least 30 days in advance, provided they meet "the health authority rulings in place at the time".
The last time Sevilla did not hold its famous Holy Week processions was in 1933, because of the political instability in the country during the 2nd Republic. But you have to go back 200 years in the country's history to find another period when the street processions were not held for two or more consecutive years - between 1820 and 1825 to be precise - again for reasons of political instability.
In total, more than 100,000 people take part in the city's famous Easter processions and some 1,700 main streets are closed off to accommodate the spiritual pilgrimage to the stations of the cross.
Huge numbers of businesses in the city will be affected by the decision to cancel the religious processions. For some of the bars and restaurants in the historic city centre Holy Week equates to 50% of their annual turnover, and there have been calls for initiatives to help this sector of the local economy which is now facing a critical first quarter.
Hotels in the city and surrounding area will also feel the effect of the cancellations at this crucial time of year for them. Despite inclement weather in the second half of Holy Week last year, there was 90% occupation for the week. The mayor of Seville, Juan Espadas, held meetings yesterday with the Association of Travel Agents and with the city's hoteliers, in which agreements were reached on reductions in municipal taxation and the cost of refuse collection, financial aid towards marketing campaigns, tourist incentives, and the promotion of cultural events in the city within the existing healthcare norms.