The Artwork and Atmosphere of the Feria de Abril, Seville

Walk down any of Seville’s deserted narrow streets mid-afternoon and you would never suspect it, but it is one of the most culturally vibrant cities in Europe. And without a doubt the best time to get a feel for the exuberant personality of the place is during the annual Feria de Abril, which takes place this year from the 5th to the 11th of May (confusingly). So here’s a short guide the festival, the artwork inspired by it, and some great things to do while you’re in Seville.

As spring unfolds and the climate of southern Spain starts to reach a comfortable level, the week-long Feria is another great excuse for Sevillians to have a party. Taking place in a huge labyrinth of tents across the river from the centre, the festival is a sprawling stramash of local food and drink, arts and crafts and rollercoasters. Inside colourful marquees called casetas, elegant women in flamboyant dresses and men in smart suits dance sevillanas – the local dance that everyone seems to inherently know – and enjoy many a glass of sherry. It’s a proclamation of a city that, even outside of festival time, is confident and full of creative spark, and this is reflected in the famous poster artwork for the spring festivals, which have become almost as iconic as the Feria itself.

Since not long after the first Feria in 1847, beautifully designed posters have become a tradition for each year’s festival. They are usually created by local artists and are intended to represent the themes, traditions and sentiments of the city, often in classical Spanish styles. Iconic imagery of the city pops up in a lot of the posters, such as the Giralda, the cathedral tower which graces the Seville skyline. Many of the designs depict women as strong symbolic figures, and flowers representing Semana santa and other spring celebrations. This year’s entry, by Seville-born artist Luis Manuel Fernandez, includes a white rose in reference to Easter and a red carnation for the Feria, and is said to represent “the soul and experience of thousands of sevillanos”.

These beautiful posters are a reminder of Seville’s rich artistic heritage, and though the Feria itself is unmissable, it would be a shame to visit without also seeing some of the city’s brilliant galleries, museums and art cafes. Here are some of the best ones:

A great place to see the full range of Feria posters is at the Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares. It’s almost worth visiting just see the beautiful mudéjar style building, which is nestled in the Maria Luisa Park near Plaza de España. As well as the poster collection, there are interesting displays of traditional ceramics from the area and flamenco dresses and suits.

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00 to 20.30
Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 to 17.00
Monday: Closed
Price: Free

Museo de Artes y Costumbres Populares (Image from Flickr)

In the city centre is the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts), which is considered to be one of the best fine art museums in Spain. It houses pieces by classic Spanish painters from Seville like Murillo and Zurbarán, and it happens to be situated in another gorgeous old building!

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday: 10.00 to 20.30
Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 to 17.00
Monday: Closed
Price: €1.50

If you’re looking for something a little bit more modern and in keeping with Seville’s current bohemian style, head for Calle Feria (after all, it’s that time of year). Along this street are several quirky independent art galleries where you can find displays by local artists. There’s also a fantastic choice of cafes and tapas bars around the Mercado de Feria, and if you’re out late, the smoky atmosphere inside La Bicileteria gives a great glimpse into Sevillian life.

By Rowan Doff

Have you been to the Feria de Abril in Seville? Do you have any tips for visitors? Let us know in the comments below!