The first Friday of March in Spain became an arena for massive displays of faith and intense preparations for spring festivals. While thousands of faithful in Madrid, Seville, and Córdoba participated in the traditional ritual of kissing the feet of Christ figures, Valencia and Castellón inaugurated historical and pyrotechnic celebrations. Despite heavy rain in the capital, religious fervor did not wane, simultaneously forcing changes in public transport organization and urban logistics.
Religious siege of temples
Thousands of faithful in Madrid, Seville, and Córdoba participated in traditional besapiés rituals despite difficult weather conditions.
Disruptions in Valencia
Restrictions on suburban train traffic to Estación del Norte were introduced due to safety during Fallas shows.
Celebration of history in Castellón
The city celebrates its origins through parades of giants and traditional pyrotechnic displays.
Time change in Mexico
Border municipalities in Mexico are preparing for the switch to daylight saving time to synchronize with the USA.
The first Friday of March traditionally represents a moment of particular intertwining of deep religious tradition with modern cultural and social life in Spain. In many cities, despite unfavorable weather and heavy rain, massive ceremonies in honor of Christ took place, attracting crowds of pilgrims. In Madrid, the central point of the celebrations was the church of Jesús de Medinaceli, where the faithful participated in the traditional ritual of kissing the feet of the Christ figure, known as besapiés. Similar scenes of emotion and piety were recorded in Seville and Córdoba, highlighting the undiminished role of Catholic rituals in Spanish regional identity, especially during Lent. Simultaneously in Valencia, intense preparations are underway for the famous Fallas festival. Due to the huge influx of tourists and the organization of pyrotechnic shows, authorities have introduced significant restrictions on rail traffic. Cercanías suburban trains will not enter the main Estación del Norte station between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to ensure safety during the spectacular mascletà displays. The program for Friday, March 6, also includes nighttime fireworks shows, which are a preview of the climactic events planned for the upcoming weekend. The Fallas tradition dates back to the 18th century, when carpenters in Valencia burned old wooden structures before St. Joseph's Day, which over time evolved into the construction of monumental satirical sculptures. In Castellón, residents celebrate the historical origins of the city through processions, the presence of traditional giants, and gunpowder displays, which fit into the rich calendar of spring celebrations in the region. Meanwhile, outside Europe, in Mexico, details regarding the change to daylight saving time in 2026 were announced. This change primarily concerns municipalities located in the border zone, aiming to maintain economic and logistical synchronization with the United States. These events show how local traditions coexist with global administrative and economic requirements. „Es un día que esperamos todo el año, sin importar el tiempo que haga” (It's a day we wait for all year, no matter the weather.) — Resident of Seville It is worth noting that the third weekend of Lent is a time of increased activity for religious brotherhoods (cofradías) in Spain. They prepare numerous exhibitions of images and figures, which serve as a prelude to the upcoming Holy Week. The emotions accompanying these events are particularly visible in Andalusia, where popular religiosity combines with local patriotism and cultural tourism.