The Passion of Spain

The world's most sociable people celebrate in spectacular fairs and parades

The world's most sociable people celebrate in spectacular fairs and parades. The feria of Seville: Casetas packed with flamenco dancers/endless procession of decorated riders and rigs. The bag-pipers of Galicia, the strong men of the Basque homelands, the farmers of Gomera who communicate by whistling.

The pilgrimage to El Rocio, a million Spaniards trekking across Andalusia: mass baptisings, covered wagons, mass hysteria. Meet the Royal Family - King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia. Hooded pyromaniacs race through the ancient streets of Santiago de Compostela with fireworks blazing on bulls' horns. The 4,000 troglodytes of Guadix.

The bull-run of Arcos. Hooded penitents of Cuenca Holy Week celebrations. Jerez, with its sherry mice and school of equestrian art plus the horseman's horse-show. Bullfighting plus its opponents, comedy fight and matador gored.

Horse ride through Alpujarras. Fire mountains of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Costa del Sol, apes of Gibraltar, Fallas of Valencia, Moors versus Christians battle reenactment in the Pyranees.