Here’s a Seville Spring Fair glossary that will help you understand the insights of the Feria de Abril and, most importantly, feel like a local!
The Feria isn’t just about dancing and sherry drinking though. It also marks the start of the Seville bullfighting season.
Abanico – Fan. This object was used to provide relief from the heat and was commonly used for both sexes. Men used smaller pocket sized ones and women larger ones, although over the years the use of the fan has become (almost) exclusive to women.
Albero – Yellow sand typical from the region that covers the ground of the Recinto. It’s also used in bullrings and parks. Unfortunately, it can get dusty in the hot weather and it turns to mud when it rains. Its color is the symbol of Seville.
Alumbrado – The moment in which the major turns on the Portada’s lights and the rest of the fairground. It always takes place at midnight on a Monday and it marks the official beginning of the Feria.
Amazona – Women choose to wear either a traditional flamenco dress or don a riding outfit to ride side-saddle.
Cacharritos – Rides located in the April Fair’s Calle de Infierno.
Caseta – Individually decorated private marquee tent owned by a group of friends, a company or an association, whose members and their guests use to eat, drink and dance.
Calle de Infierno – The amusement park of the Feria, featuring bumper cars, water rides, ghost trains, and an amazing noria (Ferris wheel).
Coche de caballos – A horse-drawn carriage.
Corrida – A bullfight. There’s one every day during the week of the Feria, and some people go to the bullfight to (and/from) the Recinto Ferial in their horse-drawn carriage.
El Pescaíto – Dinner organized by feriantes on Monday night in their caseta to celebrate the first official night of the Feria. The main courses are fried fish (boquerones, adobo, pijotas).
Farolillo – Colored paper lantern used to decorate the casetas and streets of the Recinto. They are usually red, green or white balls.
Feriante – Person who attends the Feria, it’s generally used to name the members of the casetas.
Fino – Dry sherry from Jerez de la Frontera and El Puerto de Santa María.
Fuegos artificiales – Fireworks. The closing ceremony with lots of fireworks next to the Guadalquivir river takes place on the last day of the Feria de Sevilla at midnight.
Manzanilla – Dry sherry from Sanlucar de Barrameda.
Mantoncillo – Embroidered shawl with lattice and fringes generally used with the traje de gitana.
Paseo de Caballos – A parade of horses and carriages that takes place every day. They follow an official route which only horses and carriages are allowed to take from 12:00 to 20:00.
Portada – Literally “front” or “façade”. Name of the 50-meter-high entrance arch. It has a different design theme each year and is lit up every evening at dusk.
Portero – Literally “doorman”. Each caseta has one and his main task is to let people in or not.
Recinto Ferial – Area where the fair takes place.
Real de la Feria – Official name of the Recinto.
Rebujito – Beverage consisting of manzanilla (dry sherry from Sanlucar de Barrameda) and lemonade (e.g. Sprite or 7up), served in a jug and drunk out of small glasses.
Sevillanas – Traditional, flamenco-style dance of the Feria divided into four parts.
Socio – A member of a private caseta. Individuals pay a yearly fee – in addition to whatever they spend – for the maintenance and decor of the caseta. Each one usually elects a president who must hire the food and entertainment, along with the people who erect the tent before the festivities.
Tablao – Usually, it’s the place where you’ll see the professional and choreographed shows. In this case, however, it also refers to the wooden platform located inside the caseta where feriantes dance Sevillanas.
Traje de gitana – Women like to wear a flamenco dress with ruffles and polka dots, known as a traje de gitana or simply a traje. These garments can cost 500€ or more depending on the fabric, designer and number of ruffles, or volantes, and they are worn with complementos. Some women have multiple dresses so as not to be seen twice in the same traje. The only rule is that the dresses are not worn on el Pescaíto.
Volantes – Ruffles or frills on the traje de gitana.
This article is part of a complete tutorial about the Feria de Abril (Seville’s festival) where you can read all the information you need to make the most out of your experience.
Here is a complete summary of all the guide:
1. What is the Seville fair (Feria de Abril)?
2. Seville April Fair dates and calendar of events (2023)
3. Live the Seville Feria de Abril as locals do
4. 9 insider’s tips to enjoy la Feria de Abril, Seville’s colorful fair
5. Fair of Seville’s amusement park: la Calle del Infierno
6. Seville Spring Fair: glossary of terms