The 61-year-old Spanish actor joined 40-year-old investment banker Nicole Campbell before carrying a life-size model of Jesus Christ as he returned to his hometown to attend Easter processions. Now a resident of Los Angeles, he returns each year to his ecclesiastical fraternity Tears and Favors to take part in traditional processions in all Spanish cities and towns to mark the most important festival in the Catholic calendar. There he is! Antonio Banderas attended the Maria Santisima de Lagrimas y Favores procession at San Juan Bautista Church during Malaga Holy Week on Monday, carrying a life-size model of Jesus Christ The processions take place every Easter in Spain, with penitents wearing dresses and tapered hoods – a tradition intended to maintain their anonymity. They carry life-size statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on the city streets accompanied by dramatic drumbeats and mournful music. While Malaga is a popular city to watch the processions – especially because of its famous star – by far the most popular city for Catholic celebration is Seville, Andalusia, where the medieval center is full of faithful penitents from different ecclesiastical fraternities. Tourists surround the streets as scheduled processions cross the city from early in the morning until late at night. Back home: Spanish actor, 61, (far left) joins investment banker Nicole Campbell, 40, (second from left) as he returns home to attend Easter processions Good sport: He returns each year to his church fraternity Tears and Favors to take part in the traditional marches that take place in all the cities and towns of Spain Each cofradia (fraternity) is represented by robes of different colors and the masks were historical to provide anonymity to those who wished to pay repentance. Despite the high temperatures – especially in southern Spain – the faithful struggle under their heavy costumes, swaying as they carry huge chariots between them and sometimes even walking barefoot. There are more than 50 ecclesiastical fraternities in Seville, some of which date back to the 13th century and each procession carries a statue of Christ, depicted in various Bible scenes. The Virgin Mary is also always depicted mourning for her son. Interest: The processions take place every Easter in Spain, with penitents wearing dresses and tapered hoods – a tradition intended to maintain their anonymity Wow! They carry life-size statues of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary on the city streets accompanied by dramatic drums and mournful music While some processions are noisy, with bands accompanying the penitents, one of the most famous is El Silencio, which is performed without any musical accompaniment. Up to a million visitors flock to Seville for Holy Week (known as Semana Santa in Spanish), collecting programs from the various processions and following them around the city. While Seville is the most famous place to visit in Spain, it is closely followed by Malaga and Toledo. In Latin America, where Catholic processions are also an important festival on the calendar, the most famous city with colorful processions is Antigua, the colonial city and former capital of Guatemala. Last year, Nicole revealed that the “biggest” gift for Antonio’s 60th birthday was his recovery from the coronavirus. The actor contracted a respiratory illness last August, weeks before he reached his birthday milestone, and although Nicole made sure they marked the day, it was not right to do anything rich. Speaking to Hello! magazine, he said: “We celebrated because every year of life is something we should celebrate. “But this was not really the year for the party. The greatest gift was a speedy recovery. “ Nicole admitted she was “scared” about how sick Antonio might have been with COVID-19 due to his age and is confused as to why he managed to stay away from the disease, despite being in close contact with her partner. Smitten: Nicole insisted she was not in love with Antonio, the movie star, adding: “He is the person behind the actor I fell in love with, who I am still in love with (photo in February 2020) He said: “We suffered the same doubts as everyone who contracted the virus. At first, you are scared because you do not know how badly you will be affected. “In Antonio’s case, his main symptoms were severe muscle aches and fatigue, and he endured well. He is a very strong man and has excellent physical condition. “The virus is difficult to decipher – you do not know why some people catch it and others do not. “We were in close contact because I took care of him, but I did not catch him.” While living in Spain away from her family, Nicole insisted that all that mattered was being with the Puss in Boots star. He said: “I miss my family because I do not spend so much time with them, but my position is on Antonio’s side and that makes up for everything. Strong couple: In June last year, Antonio revealed that he continues to talk to his ex-wife Melanie Griffith all the time and says that he will always be a member of his “family” (photo in 1995) “Home is where my love is, what defines me most, so my home is here in Malaga.” And Nicole insisted that she is not in love with Antonio, the movie star, adding: “I am in love with Jose Antonio Dominguez, who is Antonio’s real name. “He is the person behind the actor I fell in love with, who I am still in love with and who I know, every day I wake up, with whom I want to share my life.” Last June, Antonio revealed that he still talks to his ex-wife Melanie all the time and says he will always be a member of his “family”. Although the former couple divorced in 2015, they remained united and Antonio says that Melanie, 63, will always be a part of his life, because they shared so many “wonderful years” and have their “wonderful daughter” Stella, 24 together. years. Their girl: Antonio said that Melanie will always be a part of his life because they have shared so many “wonderful years” and have their “wonderful daughter” Stella, 24 years old (photo) “I think we are both reluctant to bury 20 years of marriage,” he told El Break de las 7. “We are human, we make mistakes and that is the human condition.” Actor Zorro added: “You have to put selfishness aside and not want to prove you right or find out who is to blame for what. “Because you can be both or neither. There is a time when things are over and you have to accept it. “My life with Melanie was beautiful,” said the actor who loved The Birds’s daughter Tippi Hedren when they co-starred in the 1996 film Two Much with Daryl Hannah. “We spent 20 wonderful years during which we gave our best and lived wonderful moments that I will not forget,” added the star who welcomed her daughter Stella, now 24, with Melanie in September 1996. “We had a wonderful daughter that we both love and that is the end result of our relationship, the most beautiful thing we have ever done together.” Melanie has two other children, daughter Dakota, 31, with Don Johnson, and son Alexander, 35, with Steven Bauer. Antonio – who married the Working Girl star in 1996 – insists he is still very close to his adopted children and is still a big part of his life. The Spanish leader is happy that he and Melanie have been able to maintain a friendly relationship for the sake of the children, even though they are all adults. He said: “Our children, all of them, are very grateful that we manage to do everything in a political way.” Full house: Melanie has two other children, daughter Dakota, 31, with Don Johnson and son Alexander, 35, with Steven Bauer (1998 photo)
