Minnesota Fair vs. “Feria de Abril”
Google Translate is sometimes a useful tool. Forgot the word for "tree"? No problem. Google Translate will help you. But for many of us who have studied languages, we know that this tool often fails to translate any kind of nuance or fluency when it comes to longer phrases or expressions. Want to translate a news article? Forget it.
Similarly, cultural knowledge is not so easy to translate, but it is equally important for fluency. Idioms, expressions, jokes, songs, cultural references ... all these things are part of being fluent in another language. For example: I, Mikkel Undlin, a foreigner, cannot be truly fluent in Spanish unless I understand things like "miarma" or "Rebujitos" or "Feria de Abril" when they come up in conversation.
Fortunately, we have each other to learn such cultural details, and I have certainly been lucky in recent weeks, as many people have taught me a lot about the Feria de Abril.
But do you know anything about the Minnesota State Fair? I don't think so. Let me translate for you, so you have a better chance of following a conversation if, for example, "Sweet Martha's Cookies" are mentioned.
So, here are some elements of the Seville Fair, translated to their Minnesota counterparts:
Feria de Abril: You must dress like Cinderella.
Okay, Sevillians have a reputation for being posh. Especially at the fair! Especially on horseback! People come from all over wearing elegant flamenco dresses or full, three piece suits with socks that match their sunglasses.
Minnesota State Fair: You must dress like Cinderella BEFORE her transformation.
Go to your closet and find the worst, oldest, most worn-out clothes you have. Wear them. Now you're ready to attend the Minnesota State Fair. Seriously, this is not the occasion for nice clothes. In fact, whatever you wear to this fair will probably never smell the same again.
Feria de Abril: The refreshing Rebujito
This traditional drink is a mix of Sprite (or 7-Up, if you’re sad) and "manzanilla wine." I've never tried it, but I assure you that this week I will.
Minnesota State Fair: All-you-can-drink milk
Yes. Milk. And as much as you want. Look, all you have to do is buy a cup, and then you have an endless supply of MILK for the rest of the day. If you are lactose intolerant, there are always paramedics nearby.
Feria de Abril: Horse-drawn Carriage
If you ignore the large amount of manure they leave behind, horse-drawn carriages are very elegant. Really, I can't think of a more beautiful way to make an entrance. The unmistakable sound of horses' hooves, the elegant rhythm of the ride, a slight breeze in your hair... it's impressive.
Minnesota State Fair: Skyride
These little neon-colored capsules are mounted like your run-of-the-mill ski lift. That is to say, If you mess up the takeoff, the whole line stops while the attendant helps you pick up your spilled milk. Once you’re back on your feet, you get out of the way.
WARNING: Avoid walking directly under the Skyride. If teenagers are in full flight, they will try to throw popcorn or something worse at you from above.
Feria de Abril: Casetas
Endless streets lined with brightly colored tents: it's an impressive sight. These tents, called "casetas," are often privately owned. You have to know someone who is a member. And if you don't, you're relegated to the street - with the horse manure.
P.S. If anyone wants to invite me to their caseta, contact me. Take care of your foreign friends this week!
Minnesota State Fair: Poultry Barn
There is nothing private at the Minnesota State Fair, even the porta-potties feel like a public endeavor. But what we DO have is a poultry barn. A huge space filled with hundreds of chickens, roosters, turkeys, and all other noisy birds. The smell borders on traumatizing, but some of the chickens are fun to watch.
Feria de Abril: Sevillanas Dance
The Feria de Abril cannot be the Feria de Abril without attendees dancing the typical "Sevillana," a smooth and mesmerizing dance between two wonderfully dressed locals.
Minnesota State Fair: Holding the corn, milk, cookies, and your child on a leash at the same time without dropping anything
The traditional dance of the Minnesota State Fair is less rooted in beauty and more in coordination. Imagine holding a large cup of milk, a bucket of cookies that’s overflowing, an ear of corn, and a toddler on a leash. How is it possible? Well, friends, it’s an art, not a science. And it often ends in failure.
There you have it... just a few translations to make your understanding of American culture even more detailed. Any questions? You know where to contact me.
By: Mikkel Undlin
