Flores, from Spanish flores or "flowers," also known as Flores de Mayo (flowers of May), Flores de Maria (flowers of Mary) or alay (offering), may refer to the whole Flower Festival celebrated in the month of May in honor of the Virgin Mary .
In the Tagalog region, this custom and celebration started after the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854 and after the publication circa 1867 of Mariano Sevilla's translation of the devotional Flores de Maria or Mariquit na Bulaclac na sa Pagninilaynilay sa Buong Buan nang Mayo ay Inihahandog nang manga Devoto cay Maria Santisima (The Flowers of Mary or the Beautiful Flowers that in the Meditations During the Whole Month of May are Offered by Devotees to Mary the Holiest). (http://www.filipino.com.au/categ/culture/floresdemayo.htm)
A Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pagent held in many cities, towns and even smll villages throughout the Philippines during the month of May. One of the most colorful May-time festivals in the Philippines which depicts the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. Many movie and television personalities participate in the events and are featured as major sagalas and escorts. (http://www.intas-travel.com/incentives/fiesta_floresdemayo.html)
The festivity commemorates the search of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena (Reina Elena) and her son, the newly converted emperor Constantine. After the Holy Cross was found in Jerusalem and brought back to rome, there was a joyful celebration for thanksgiving.
Nine days of prayer (a novena) in honor of the Holy Cross precedes the Flores de Mayo or Santacruzan. This festival was introduced by the Spaniards in the Philippines and has since become part of Filipino traditions identified with youth, love and romance.
This colorful pageant parade is arranged in this order:
1. Methuselah - he is bearded, bent with age, riding a cart looking preoccupied with toasting some grains of sand in a pan over a fire. This is a reminder that all that glitters will end up as dust like what he
is toasting.
2. Reyna Banderada - a young lady dressed in a long red gown carrying a yellow triangular flag. She represents the coming of Christianity.
3. Aetas - represent the state of the country before the coming of Christianity. These are the unconverted Filipino pagans.
4. Reyna Mora - represents the dominant religion before Christianity (feminine of Moro from the Moslem religion).
5. Reyna Fe - symbolizes the virtue of faith - the first of the theological virtues. She carries a cross.
6. Reyna Esperanza - symbolizes the virtue of hope - the second theological virtue. She carries an anchor.
7. Reyna Caridad - symbolizes the virtue of charity - the third theological virtue. She carries a red heart.
8. Reyna Abogada - the defender of the poor and the oppressed. She wears a black graduation cap (toga) and gown and she carries a big book.
9. Reyna Sentenciada - has her slim hands bound by a rope. She is the symbol of the innocents who have been convicted. She is accompanied by two Roman soldiers.
10. Reyna Justicia - a personification of the "mirror of justice". She carries a weighing scale and a sword.
11. Reyna Judith - representing Judith of Pethulia who saved her city from the Assyrians after she beheaded the cruel holoferns. She carries the head of the beheaded man on one hand and a sword on the other.
12. Reyna Sheba - who visited the famed King Solomon and was overwhelmed by his wisdom, power and richess. She carries a jewelry box.
13. Reyna Esther - the biblical Jewish who spared her countrymen from death and destruction through timely intervention with the King Xerxes. She carries a scepter.
14. Samaritana - the woman who Christ spoke to at the well. She carries a jug on her shoulder.
15. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus. She carries a bandana imprinted with the three faces of Jesus.
16. Tres Marias: Mary of Magdala - she carries a bottle of perfume; Mary, Mother of Christ - she carries a handkerchief; Mary, mother of James - she carries a bottle of oil.
17. Marian - celebrating the many titles of the Virgin Mary.
a. A-v-e--M-a-r-i-a -- represented by eight (8) girls all Wearing long white dressess with wings to make them look like angels. Each one carries a letter to complete the word "AVE MARIA."
b. Divina pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - she carries a shepherdess' staff.
c. Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of Stars) - she carries a wand with a star.
d. Rosa Mystica - she carries a bouquet of roses.
e. Reyna Paz (queen of peace) - she carries the symbol of peace.
g. Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) she carries a flower. She has two (2) angels.
h. Reyna de las Virgines - she carries a rosary and is surrounded by two (2) little angels.
i. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - she carries a bouquet of flowers.
The procession is followed by the steady beat of rondalla, playing and singing "Dios Te Salve". The devotees walking with the procession hold lighted candles in their hands and singing the prayer.
Among the fiesta participants in the fertility dance are outsiders from other towns in the Philippines; most are asking the patron saints for a son or a daughter, a husband or a wife or good fortune. They are all dancing on the streets as a form of a religious procession primarily in order for the spirit of life to enter into the wombs of women. This is the magic and mystery of Obando, Bulacan.
The feast days or dance festivals are held for three consecutive days: May 17 for St. Paschal, May 18 for St. Claire and May 19 for the Our Lady of Salambaw.
The Philippine national hero, José Rizal, mentioned this fertility dance ritual in his 1887 SpanishNoli Me Tangere (Chapter 6: Captain Tiago). novel,
The Feast usually starts in the morning of May 17, with the mass of the current Parish Priest. Afterwards, the procession of the three Saints will follow, followed by the dancing of the devotees and the musical band. This continues for the duration of the festival, with the image of the particular Patron Saint of the day leading the procession.
The city comes alive in January...
Sydney Festival is Australia’s largest and most attended annual cultural event running every January since it was first held in 1977. Its program features more than 50 events including classical and contemporary music, dance, circus, drama, visual arts and public lectures. Its indoor and outdoor presentations attract an estimated 1 million people annually.
Think big names, ambitious shows and lengthy running times...
Sydney Festival presents The War of the Roses, Lipsynch, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Smile off Your Face.
There's only one item on the dance program, but it's a doozy. Christopher Wheeldon has been acclaimed as the most sought-after choreographer in the world. Morphoses: The Wheeldon Company will present three works including Polyphonia, a stunning dance piece set to the music of György Ligeti (whose music punctuates the freak-out moments in many Stanley Kubrick films).
Grace Jones may not be Sir Roger Moore's favourite person but the enigmatic superstar was hugely influential in 1980s music and fashion.
Once will be happy to hear that the movie's musical stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, aka The Swell Season.
Wisconsin's Bon Iver has a voice that "evokes a ghostly choir of young Neil Youngs", according to Time Out's New York reviewer. Catch him at the Spiegeltent.
The Cinematic Orchestra, a UK six-piece, promises beautiful and evocative soundscapes in their Sydney Festival appearances, while The Matthew Herbert Big Band promises a contemporary take on classic Big Band sounds.
Reggie Watts is a loop sampler and singer with a 10-octave vocal range whose stream of consciousness ramblings astound music and comedy fans alike. And the ever-popular Parisian chanteuse Camille.
Adelaide Fringe Festival, still, in Australia!
Adelaide Fringe Festival is an arts festival held annually in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. The event is the largest arts event and the second largest fringe festival in the world.
The Adelaide Festival of the Arts is a biennial festival held in Autumn which showcases music, theatre, dance, new media events, literature and visual arts.
Modelled on the Edinburgh Festival, the Adelaide Festival is noted for innovation and exploration, a reputation that largely stems from the frequent turnover of the directorship and the appointment of artists as directors. The success of the Adelaide Festival has given rise to the South Australian identity as the 'Festival State' and was the catalyst for the creation of the iconic Adelaide Festival Centre.
The Adelaide Festival was established in 1960 by Sir Lloyd Dumas and Professor John Bishop, then Professor of Music at the University of Adelaide, under the patronage of the Queen Mother.
Festival d’ Avignon
The Festival d'Avignon, or Avignon Festival, is an annual arts festival held in French city of Avignon. Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, it is the oldest extant festival in France and one of the world's greatest. The festival consists of two parts, "In" and "Off".
The "In" festival is organised by a non-profit organisation (since 1980), which is administered by a board of trustees composed of: the French state, the city of Avignon, the Département du Vaucluse (county), the Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (super-county), and seven public figures competent in the field of theatre. Amongst other places, the "In" Festival is performed in the "Cour d'Honneur" - the honours courtyard - of the Palais des Papes, the place of residence of the Avignon papacy during most of the 14th century.
The "Off" festival is also organised by a non-profit organisation composed mostly of theatre companies and is performed in theatres schools, streets and all places suitable for performing.
The Avignon Theatre Festival has become, since its creation by Jean Vilar in 1947, an essential summer stopover in the cultural life of France. Discover the great stages in its history.
Wexford Festival Opera
The Wexford Festival Opera is an opera festival that takes place in the town of Wexford in South-Eastern Ireland during the months of October and November.
One of the World’s Most Magical Festivals. Renowned for their unique programme, warm welcome and sense of excellence, make Wexford Festival Opera the special......
Wexford Opera House Photo : Ros Kavanagh
Wexford Festival Opera has been running since 1951, playing a central role in the cultural life of Ireland, and in the world of Opera and Arts internationally.
Israel Festival!
Israel Festival is a multidisciplinary arts festival held every spring in Israel. Its center is Jerusalem.
The Israel Festival started in 1961 as a summer festival for classical music in the ancient Roman theater in Caesarea. ]Throughout the years the festival grew in the number of art disciplines and activity centers with recent festivals including classical music, ballet, jazz, theater, visual arts and lectures, combining high quality programs from Israel and abroad. From 1982 onwards the Israel Festival was adopted by the City of Jerusalem and most shows are held within its boundaries.
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