Geometry in Feria de Abril in Sevilla

Hello my fellow readers. As it has already started and can’t keep myself but from looking at photos of it, let’s talk about the Feria de Abril in Sevilla. But of course, let’s take it to our domain. You would be surprised to see how much geometry is related to this festivity so let’s start discussing it!

First of all, let's appreciate the geometric shapes that can be seen on the façade of the Seville fair this year 2023!

It is a proposal by the technical architect Gregorio Esteban. The work is entitled 'Añoranza noche y día' and is inspired by the Plaza de España and the Teatro Coliseo España. The structure measures 46 metres wide by 38 metres high.

How beautiful! Let me show you the design so we can better see the geometry in it. 

The façade contains geometric aspects such as the five arches (semicircles) in the lower area that allows access to the fair. Likewise, all the decorations such as rectangles, circumferences, other shapes (squares, for example) in the ceramic balusters that decorate it and even in the flags (Spanish, Andalusian and Sevillian) and in the coloured tiles that make up the towers and the upper part of the façade. Thousands of geometric shapes can be found on this façade that brings together so many themes. 

It is really interesting. If you have students who are going to attend the fair, do not hesitate to encourage them to stop and look at these geometric motifs. Bringing mathematics closer to their immediate context is one of the best ways to encourage them to learn something that can take more effort than usual. 

Also, let's take a look at the façades of previous years.

They all share this geometric shapes that are amazing! I just cannot stress enough how much I am amazed by this festivity and how it has so much geometry in it. Impressive!

Another topic to be addressed would be the venue itself. The fair has an area with around fifty booths that are organised in such a way that, seen from above, creates a very curious plan with rectangles and squares separated by streets (straight lines) that only confirms what I have been saying all along, which is that the fair is made up of geometry. 

And this is because, in addition, the decorations make it so. 

If we continue strolling around the real de la Feria, we will see geometric motifs everywhere. From the canvases of the booths, with their green or red parallel stripes, the distribution of the lanterns (paper spheres with lights inside) in quasi-infinite parallel rows surrounding the enclosure, the wine glasses (perfect paraboloids), on the horse-drawn carriages, and so on to the attractions that represent geometric shapes such as circumferences. 

Let me show you some pictures!

But that's not all. We still have to talk about the most important thing: the flamenco dresses. 

There is no doubt that the most important thing about the fair is the tradition of dressing up in flamenco dress. These dresses are usually accompanied by accessories such as shawls, earrings, flowers (traditionally carnations, but can be any type of flower) and esparto grass shoes. 

All this I have been saying has a geometric motif in the sense that the dresses usually have a symmetrical pattern of polka dots (circles) or flowers (although they can also be plain colours) that attract the attention of the viewer. Circles, trapezoids, squares. Flamenco dresses are finished off with a sensual play of shapes and silhouettes that are recreated in a rich palette of tones. 

Let me show you some examples of what I am talking about.

Fascinating how geometry can even be in the feria de Sevilla! You will certainly catch me there next year!

Let me just share with you a video about the feria so you can kind of like get the real description of what it is. Try to locate all the geometry in it and share it with us in the comments! Here is the link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFn6Xg9uAls&ab_channel=Spain-Holiday.com

This is all for today's post. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know what you think of it!

See you next time :)