By Lucrecia Diaz
Spain is a country of many traditions, abundant in popular festivities, both ludic and religious.
One of such celebrations, which I have been looking to photograph since long time ago, is the famous “Romeria del Rocio”, done each year in Huelva, Andalucia, a pilgrimage that gathers over a million faithful participants, in the small town of “El Rocio”, to pay homage to their Virgin.
©Lucrecia Diaz
This pilgrimage is well over 150 miles long. This year, finally with my Nikon D700 in my possession and thanks to the sponsorship of the Radio Broadcast Station “Cadena Ser”, I managed to do my own photographic pilgrimage, and I was lucky enough to join the Brotherhood of Huelva, and I traveled with them for the latest part of the long walk.
©Lucrecia Diaz
Everything in El Rocio awakens the photographic senses: from the walking paths of the beautiful Donana Natural Park, the beautiful horse cars, and horse riders, the amazing clothing and special outfits, worn by both gipsy women and horse-riding “caballeros”, specifically for these festivities.
©Lucrecia Diaz
Once the gigantic mass of people arrived in El Rocio, everything is about the festivities and celebrations on behalf of the Virgen El Rocio who is paid homage during 4 full days, by all different brotherhoods, faith groups and travelers.
The colorful scenario, combined with the whole spiritual vibe, it all made this a picture-perfect event at every step of the long way, and a great documentary project indeed!
Miami Visual Collective 
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