This will be the parade of giants and big heads of the Fair of San Isidro in Madrid
Ready for the San Isidro Fair? Although the Madrid patron celebrations have already begun, it will be the may 14 when the kick-off to the parties with the parades of giants and bigheaded. Do not miss the opportunity to go with your children!
The history and the characters of the parade of giants and bigheaded
As explained from the organization of the festivities in Madrid, the tradition of parades of giants and big heads goes back to the sixteenth century, but then disappeared and it is not until the nineteenth century when the tradition is recovered with different characters: giants, bigheaded, kilikis and zaldikos.
The Giants: They are the best known and oldest figures. They represent four couples of kings who, in turn, represent Europe, Asia, Africa and America, symbolizing the coexistence between cultures while dancing
The big headed: They do not dance, they walk dignified, with calm pace and silent attitude, which gives them a halo of good sense and goodness.
The kilikis: six figures with heads smaller than those of the big heads. They carry a stick of foam with which they hit children.
The zaldikos: six horses with their riders who are dressed as a jester. Be careful because they also go "armed" with rods and club the little ones. Its name comes from Basque: zaldiko means horse in Basque.
Angela R. Bonachera
