Día de Todos los Santos: Spanish All Saints' Day

On the first of November this year, we celebrate 'Día de Todos los Santos', Spanish All Saints’ Day. However, this year, it was a bit different due to the severe circumstances regarding COVID-19. Though, it was still 'celebrated' in some ways.

But what is it exactly? Día de Todos los Santos is a Catholic day dedicated to holy people and martyrs to memorialize them. There is just one special day to honor all these holy people. During Día de Todos los Santos, families usually visit the graves of their lost family-members. They make a ritual by cleaning the graves and decorating them with beautiful flowers. This year, due to the circumstances regarding COVID-19, families were allowed to visit the graves for half an hour with a maximum of four persons. But it’s not only about honoring the death, this day also celebrates life! The families eat lots of traditional sweets, for instance ‘buñuelos de viento’ (puffs of wind) – which are doughnuts sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar – or ‘huesos de Santo’ (saint’s bones), which have marzipan, eggs and sugar syrup. Delicious typical treats which almost everybody eats on Spanish All Saints’ Day! You can make your own All Saints’ treats. For ‘buñuelos de viento’, click on this link: https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/bunuelos-de-viento-mexican-fritters/ For ‘huesos de Santo’, clink on this link: https://www.thespruceeats.com/saints-bones-recipe-huesos-de-santo-3082858

In Andalusia, Día de Todos los Santos celebrated throughout the region but Cádiz is the icing on the cake when you’re talking about this special day.

In Cádiz, they actually take this day very seriously. It is one of the nicest cities to visit if you want to experience Spanish All Saints’ Day. Gaditanos (inhabitants of Cádiz) also call it ‘Tosantos’. People dress up like rabbits in the markets and make little animals of the fruits in the markets. The whole region gets involved and they have festivities all week long. Usually (post-COVID-19), there are nice activities during this special day in Cádiz with several festivals and markets. Normally, there would be a parade, choreography for the kids, flamenco performances, parties for kids and magic shows! In villages and towns throughout the province of Cádiz, candle lit processions, roast chestnuts and, very often, anise liqueurs characterize the feast. But also on other days of the year, Cádiz is a beautiful city to discover!