¿Encima de la cabeza, detrás, a un lado? ¿Con qué peinado? ¿Cómo me la engancho para que no se caiga?

Si has ido o vas a ir a cualquier Feria como la de Sevilla, Jerez o Córdoba, seguro que estas preguntas te han asaltado por una falta de conocimiento que es… de lo más normal. Realmente no existe un protocolo ni una norma que marque cómo se debe poner la flor ni exactamente en qué parte de la cabeza debe ir colocada. 

Sin embargo, siempre ha existido un protocolo “popular” o código de vestimenta comúnmente aceptado por la población andaluza de situar la flor justo en la parte de arriba de la cabeza. Es decir, se suele colocar en lo que sería el vértice entre la parte de arriba (donde te pondrías un sombrero) y la parte de detrás (lo que apoyamos en la almohada). La idea es que la flor “asome desde detrás” y que quede en lo más alto, coronando tu look de flamenca con un toque fresco y elegante.

Si estás buscando una actividad para mejorar tu estado físico o si ya practicas el flamenco, sigue leyendo y conoce todo lo que este baile puede hacer por ti y tu salud:

Contra los problemas de postura y espalda

Si eres de los que trabajan muchas horas sentados frente al ordenador y has desarrollado una postura un tanto jorobada una opción para corregirlo es

The next important event in the fiestas calendar is la Feria de Córdoba, which will start this saturday 20th of may and will last until the next saturday, the 27th. As in la Feria de Abril of Sevilla, the inauguration of the celebrations will start with the lightning of the main entrance and the stalls, and also the fireworks. This will happen the 20th at midnight. This year the entrance has been designed with a central squared body of 13,5 metres from which 12 columns with capitals emerge. Over them there will be a scale replica of the Mosque Cathedral, and the construction will be completed with two big doors on the sides as well as several arcs that will create a 6 metres wide porch. Also the entrance will be lightened by 55.000 lámparas de LED. 

On the other side, this year the compound will have 98 stalls and all of them will include a kitchen where they would cook the typical tapas and dishes of the fiesta, and they will also have a permit to open until from 13.00 pm to 1.00 am. Also, the 22nd and 23th of may the Best Stalls of the Feria contest will take place. In it, it will be chosen the stall with the best entrance, the best stall in general and the best one with a decorated backyard.

In relation to the access of the feria, a parking area has been set up on the right side of the Andalucia highway. A total of 69.322 squared metres of land intended for a maximum of 3.200 cars. And for two-wheeled vehicles an area for secure parking has been enabled in the auxiliary route of the street Compositor Rafael Castro. And with respect of the public transport, there would be 12 additional lines to help the access to the event from the different city neighborhoods. Inside the facilities, also, there will be a pneumatic train that will tour through the inside streets of the feria. It'll start on the entrance and will pass by the Guadalquivir street, the Municipal Stall and the main street until getting back to the start point.

Of course, the feria will also have horse rides and carriages from 1.00 till 8.00 pm. During this hours, several pedestrian crossings have been foreseen and the horse rides will have to be run in one direction only and they will only be allowed to pass through the crossing streets. The 20th, also, there will be a Traditional Carriages Exhibition. On the other hand, different events like bullfights and musical concerts will happen during the feria and famous spanish singers like Diego El Cigala, the Aslándticos, David de María, Manu Tenorio, la Década Prodigiosa, los Chunguitos and los Coros Rocieros of the XXII Encuentro Rociero Camino del Arenal will be part of the fiesta. All of this has been organized expecting to entertain the public and offer a variety of different activities for all ages.

Regarding the dressing code, even though la Feria de Abril its still recent, its never bad to remember some useful ideas that can make your life much easier, specially if your are thinking to assist and its your first time:

• Leave the sunglasses at home: Yes, they are a great tool to protect yourself from the sun, but, as a matter of fact, the sun is something that you are not gonna be able to avoid no matter when you go. And since you are gonna be eating, dancing, walking around, and having fun all day the shades can become an annoying tool to keep with you, specially if you do not want to loose them. Also they don't look very good with the traditional flamenca look.
• Never use the shawl hanging from the hip: You can put it the traditional way over the shoulders, crossed or following the lines of your dress necklines, but never hang them on the hip, it doesn't look good.

Flamenca dress collection 2017-2018 de Mari Cruz, model Madruga

• Hold your shawl: When you put it over you, even if its in the right way, make sure to use safety pins and even a big elegant clasp. The last thing we want is for it to move or even fall. 

• Use the flowers on your favor: the hair flowers are accesories that always give a colour touch and happiness to the look. However, one unique flower put over your ear is a very guiri idea, even more if its used with the hair down. The advisable thing to do is to use a bun or pull the hair back and combine different flowers. Nowadays there are infinite possibilites so use them. Some options in that sense are the following: put the flowers in the classic way, on top of the head; or combine different sizes of them all over the hair to give it a modern touch. You can also use the flowers as a crown over symmetric hairdos and on the side of the head with asymmetric ones. If you use ponytails or braids you can also use different flowers of the same size on both sides of the head, or just simply put the flower over a low bun. 

In regards of the kind of flower to use, you can choose whatever you like, carnations, jasmines, roses, etc. The idea is to be original.  

Flamenca flowers with a big peony in purple and salmon tones

• Be careful with the footwear: Don't use flat sandals or flip flos to to go with a flamenca dress. Use a shoe with heels of at least 4 o 5 cm, you can also choose heel wedges so its more comfortable to walk. This are an option pretty popular and useful, since they offer height but don't loose comfortability. Besides you can use then as peep toes if you want something more fresh. If you decide to use sandals they should have a little bit of heel, they will give the dress a more sophisticated air E incluso los zapatos de salón clasicos cerrados son una buena opción para darle un toque elegante. Y en cuanto a colores y decoración, hoy en día los hay de muchos tipos, puedes utilizarlos de un solo color base o con lunares, de charol o de otro tipo de materiales. Elige aquellos que mejor vayan con tu outfit.

• Use the pockets: A lot of the dresses include a hidden pocket in between the fringes. Use it. And try to reduce as much as possible the amount of things you are gonna take with you, mobile phone, money, keys, etc. It will ease your mind.

• Flamenca dresses inspiration: you can get inspiration from the most modern tendencies, but don't forget that in the end what matters is that the dress is comfortable and handy. Keep in mind that you are gonna be out a lot of hours eating, dancing, walking, and if you need to retouch the dress constantly you are gonna end up fed up.

Flamenca dress collection 2017-2018 model Zambra

• If its cool: Avoid as much as possible to use coats, blazers or leather jackets. Find other options that are more delicate like pashminas or thick shawls, they will keep you warm and it will not be seen as though you are disguised. 

• If you have company: It is not neccesary but if you go with someone, you partner should take care of their attire too.

1. Meet some local people

If you meet somebody from the area, not only you will have a local guide but also a host that would help you get inside the private booths, which are the real essence of the fiesta. However, if it is not the case and you don't know anyone, you can also visit any of the 16 public stalls located inside the fair. They all have free entry and, even though the environment inside them is not as authentic, you can still have fun and enjoy the party.

2. The fair starts with a fried fish dinner and the lighting of the entrance

Don't miss any of this two moments. In the spectacular entrance lighting they are used 250.000 light bulbs and it is done at 12.00 at night. Also, this day is called the Fried Fish Monday, because afterwards it is traditional to eat fried fish cooked in the typical andalusian way.

3. Most important days of the fair

The most important days of la Feria de Abril are Tuesday to Thursday. On the weekend a lot of locals travel to the nearest coast to rest and let the foreigners to enjoy their fiesta as well. 

4. Dress formally

If it is the first time you go to the event and you don't have a flamenca dress or suit, don't worry. Dress elegant and use accesories like flowers on the hair, shawls, fans, etc, to give yourself a special touch. Never dress casual. The locals are very serious about their fair and the way you dress up its very important. 

5. El Rebujito

This is the most typical drink of the fair. It is made with a mix of fino sherry and either 7Up or Sprite. It actually is very refreshing and its good to cool yourself down, but be careful because you can end up really drunk very fast, since its an easy beverage to have.

6. Fireworks

One of the biggest moments of the fair are the fireworkds to close the fiesta on the last day. If you want to watch properly the fireworks castle go to el Muelle de las Delicias, that is the best place for it.

7. Enjoy the days...

For a first time visit, we recommend you to go to the fair during the day and sometime in the middle of the week. You'll enjoy the locals show, their arrivals to the fair riding a horse or in a horse carriage and dressed with the traditional costumes. Also you can see the art of Sevilla and how they dance and party.

8. And nights

After 8.00 pm the fair transforms itself. The drinks start flowing, people claps to the sound of the loud music, the compound is illuminated with thousands of light bulbs and young adults start their personal party.

9. Find a good place to meet

Everybody tends to meet always in the entrance, hence why it always becomes really difficult to find anyone. Choose a different place to meet with friends, like, for example, the door of a specific booth.  

10. Learn to dance sevillanas

If you want to inmerse yourself into the actual environment of the fair, learn to dance sevillanas and share some dances with the locals. 

11. Find a map

It is actually a really big compound full of booths and streets that are very similar. Find a map of the place, you'll need it to know where you are at all times. 

12. Wear comfortable shoes that you do not mind messing with

The floor is covered of albero, a special orange sand that is really effective when it rains but gets your shoes really dirty. Besides, you are gonna walk and dance a lot, so always use comfortable shoes. 

13. Gastronomy

Don't forget to try the andalusian gastronomy, it is incredibly rich. And, of course, taste the rebujito, that will also help you to get your food down. 

14. Public transport

The fair has a pretty big parking space but it is never enough, there is always a lot of people that wants to have a place. Use the public transport, you will thank it later. This year, however, be aware because it has been said that there is a possibility of a metro strike during those days. Keep that in mind when choosing how to go to the fair. 

15. The things from Hell

That is how the fair rides are called. It is related to the fact that apparently they create such a big amount of noise it always seems like Hell. In fact, that's how the area where the attractions are located its commonly known. Anyway, enjoy the party and the fun rides. 

16. Fritters and churros with chocolate

At dawn visit the gypsies booths to try the fritters and hot churros with chocolate. There is not better way to recover from a night of partying.

17. Be careful with pickpockets

It is common sense, but it never hurts to remember that in every place where a lot of people congregates its easier for pickpockets to try and steal things. Watch your stuff at all times and never take out valuable items.