If you are expecting jokes, fake news and April Fools’ Day-style smiles in Spain on 1 April – you may be surprised. Spaniards approach this date very differently to us. In Spain, the classic April Fool’s Day is practically non-existent.
But rest assured – the Spaniards’ sense of humour is definitely not alien. Simply transported back in time.
Día de los Santos Inocentes – Spanish Joke Day
In Spain, the role of April Fool’s Day is played on 28 December – Día de los Santos Inocentes. On this day:
- media publish fabricated information (often very credible),
- TV and portals make ‘controlled’ jokes,
- friends make small pranks,
- Children glue paper people onto the backs of adults.
And importantly – no one is offended. It’s a day of distance from each other and the world.
And on 1 April?
The 1st of April in Spain is … an ordinary day.
No traditions, no jokes, no special cultural significance. So if someone makes a joke to you on this day – it’s very likely to be a foreigner 😉 .
What does this say about Spain?
It’s a small thing, but it shows the cultural differences brilliantly:
- Spaniards celebrate tradition and the calendar of religious festivals,
- humour is present, but ‘on its own terms’,
- life goes on more calmly, without the compulsion to be funny ‘because it has to’.
It’s details like this that make life in Spain different from Central Europe – more natural, less formulaic.
If you are not only interested in the Spanish lifestyle, but also in what everyday life is really like after moving to Spain, keep an eye on Aria’s blog and our social media.
And if you’re thinking about your own place in Spain – get in touch with us. We’ll help you take that step consciously and without stress.
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