Feria I
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.
feriante
Person who attends the Feria, it’s generally used to name the members of the casetas.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
portero
Literally “doorman”. Each caseta has one and his main task is to let people in or not.
sevillanas
Traditional, flamenco-style dance of the Feria divided into four parts.
cacharritos
Rides located in the April Fair’s Calle de Infierno.
fino
Dry sherry from Jerez de la Frontera and El Puerto de Santa María.
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.
Manzanilla
Dry sherry from Sanlucar de Barrameda.
Recinto Ferial
Area where the fair takes place.
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.
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.
coche de caballos
Coche de caballos – A horse-drawn carriage.
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.
Real de la Feria
Official name of the Recinto.
calle de Infierno
The amusement park of the Feria, featuring bumper cars, water rides, ghost trains, and an amazing noria (Ferris wheel).
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.
farolillo
Colored paper lantern used to decorate the casetas and streets of the Recinto. They are usually red, green or white balls.
mantoncillo
Embroidered shawl with lattice and fringes generally used with the traje de gitana.
Ruffles or frills on the traje de gitana.