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 Celebrating art |
C/Correos, nº 3 3º Puerta Valencia 6 Valencia, Valencia 46002 Spain +34 96 353 0899 http://www.bienaldevalencia.com |
This biennial festival is Valencia's tribute to the arts - it takes place between the months of September and November, and showcases the work of artists of national and international repute. Past works of art include the likes of On Kawara, Sylvie Fleury, Jesus Raphael de Soto and Duane Hanson. Dance, music, cinematography, folklore and concert events happen simultaneously. Visit the website for events, timings and venues. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Pedronchi  |
 The Procession of the Three Wise Men |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
This festival takes place in January each year. An evening parade sets out onto the streets of the city, and three individuals posing as the Biblical Three Wise Men distribute sweets to children from atop the floats. The children receive their Christmas presents the following morning. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: janosch |
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It's carnival time! |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Carnaval is a time for fun, feasting and good cheer in Spain. It occurs in the three days before the commencement of Lent, and the whole country celebrates with street parties, drinking and dancing. Carnaval is not as extravagant and wild in Valencia as it is in other cities, such as Tenerife and Seville, but can still be a lot of fun. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Summer international band festival |
Palau de la Música Paseo de la Alameda, 30 Valencia 46023 Spain +34 96 337 5020 |
Scheduled as part of the festivities in the Feria de Julio, specifically the first two weeks in July, this international town band competition has become increasingly popular. It dates back to 1886 and is held in either the Bullring or the Palau de La Música. Bands are more than just tradition in the autonomous community of Valencia; they are an integral part of life. Every single festival or "fiesta" will include marching bands or concerts of one sort or another, and every town, big or small, will have at least one municipal band. In some towns, such as Llíria just a few kilometers from Valencia, the prestige of their bands is internationally known. This international contest is a treat for music lovers and a challenge for the musicians of Valencia. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Josep Antoni Mollà F |
 Photo: jorgeadriaster |
 Celebration of Valencia's Patron Saint |
Plaza de la Virgen, s/n Valencia 46003 Spain |
The celebration of the Virgen de los Desamparados' Feast Day is held on the second Sunday in May. She is the Patron Saint of Valencia and, to honour the occasion, the city is transformed. The façade of the Basilica named after her is covered in a huge taptestry, while the night before all sorts of events pay her tribute: the Dançà and Nit d'Albaes (typical music and dances) take place and special masses are held (Descuberta and Infantes). In the morning, the Peregrina (Pilgrim) as she is also known is moved from the Basilica to the cathedral. Thousands of faithful slow down her progress as they recite all manner of poems and songs in her honour. The climax of the entire day is the solemn procession which takes place at nightfall as a shower of flower petals rain down on the Virgin from the balconies above. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Most important festival in Valencia |
A traves de la ciudad Valencia, Valencia Spain http://www.fallas.com/ |
Las Fallas, Valencia's world-renowned festival, is the city's most important social event. More than 350 monuments made out of cardboard, wood and other materials take to the streets. Designed by artisans to satirize situations or well-known figures (ninots), they are set up on 15 March (the plantà) and are the centre of attention until the 19th when they are set fire (the cremà), turning a year's work into ash and rubble. All of this is accompanied by mascletàs, with thousands of kilos of firecrackers and fireworks being set off, open air concerts and the traditional offering of flowers to Madrededéu dels Desamparats, Valencia's (female) patron saint. These are just some of the events which make this entire week of festivities commemorating Saint Joseph so famous. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: poseidiae |
 Photo: Anna around the world |
 Photo: Santiago |
 Photo: little kiwi in the wide world |
 Photo: Andy Reis |
 Photo: Bjarni Árnason |
 Photo: mapiripi |
 Photo: ikerMURIS.com |
 Photo: Fernando |
 Photo: Rafa Elías |
 Photo: RICHARD |
 Photo: Juan Francisco Roldán |
 Photo: RichardB |
 Photo: k@terin@ |
 Photo: Ed Francissen |
 Photo: paulmiyamoto |
 Photo: Alvaro Seguí |
 Photo: pepesaura.com |
 Photo: Graeme Sandiford |
 Photo: Mark Hammond |
 Photo: rossoguevara66 |
 Photo: Juan V. Vera del Campo |
 Photo: Paco López-Pintor |
 Photo: va1enciana |
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 Long live Saint Bulto |
Plaza de Sant Bult Valencia Spain |
This religious festival commemorates the discovery of an ancient image of Sant Bult (Saint Bulto). The image represents a crucified Christ wearing a crown of thorns and shows a chalice at his feet. Primitive Christians worshipped it before the Muslim occupation of Spain. It lay buried for centuries until it was found under a flagstone by a construction worker called Manuel Navarro during the time of the Reconquest. On the first Sunday of June, the image is carried in procession through the Xerea district to the church of Santo Tomás y San Felipe Neri. Parishioners cover the streets en route with leafy green tree branches as far as Plaza de San Bult where the finale takes place and Saint Bulto is enthroned on a special altar built for the ocassion. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Crash! Boom! Bang! |
Valencia, Valencia Spain |
On the 8th of October each year, the skies of Valencia come alive with lights and sound, as the whole city celebrates the international fireworks festival, known as the Festival Internacional de Pirotecnia. It is a truly unforgettable experience, and speaks volumes about the spirit of the city, for it is vibrant, energetic and gay - much like Valencia itself. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Celebrating the Midsummer Solstice |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Fiesta de San Juan is celebrated all over Spain - it celebrates the arrival of the Midsummer Solstice, and takes place between the June 21 and 24 each year. In Valencia, fireworks, street parties, music, and dancing mark the occasion, much as they do in other cities of Spain. This is a festival that is celebrated in true Spanish style. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Andrew Jessup |
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Festival held after Easter |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Every Monday after Easter Sunday, local Saint, Vicente Ferrer, is honoured. He was a key figure in medieval Valencian history, and is known for his brilliant rhetorical sermons, his prophecies and countless miracles. According to tradition, it was Saint Vicente Ferrer who accurately predicted that a pregnant member of the Borja family would give birth to a future Pope. Sure enough, this child would years later be called Pope Calixto III. On the day that he is honoured, the old quarters in particular are filled up with a series of stages where his 'miracles' are reinacted, and many of the winding streets and squares are colourfully decorated. The texts from these miracles are based on an anonymous baroque Valencian text dating from 1822, while the actors are almost always exclusively children. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Dedicated to ceramics from Manises |
Manises Valencia 46940 Spain |
You'll find the town of Manises only 7km from the city centre of Valencia. This town is renowned the world over for the beautiful and quality ceramics it has been producing for hundreds of years if not more. The fame of their ceramics is so great, in fact, that in many towns all over the province, hand-painted tiles are simply referred to as manisetes. The festival dates from 1746, when the Ceramic Makers' Guild chose Saint Justa and Saint Rufina as their patron saints and decided to hold a festival every year in their honour. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ali-smile |
 Photo: crisgonvick |
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Celebrating the conquest of Valencia |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
Each year on October 9 , Valencia celebrates the conquest of the region by Jaume I in 1238. It is also celebrated as a day commemorating Saint Dionis, the patron saint of lovers. On this day, young men present their ladies with 'mocadoras', which are marzipan figures wrapped up in a kerchief, and sometimes sealed with a ring. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Where popular Rocas are stored |
Calle de Las Rocas 3 Valencia 46003 Spain +34 96 392 2326 |
This is the place where the mobile platforms or floats known as Rocas or Tres Aguilas de San Juan Evangelista (the three eagles of St John the Baptist), are stored along with other items used in all manner of public events and religious processions. These other items include the Gigantes (giants), Cabezudos (literally, big heads), flags, costumes and more. The building's door is particularly big as these Rocas have to be able to get in and out. The Rocas are used to perform the Misteris (Mysteries of Christ) as well as playing an essential role in the Procesión del Corpus Christi, a tradition dating back to the 15th century. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Religious procession during Holy Week |
Ciutat Vella Valencia 46001 Spain |
The Corpus Christi Procession dates back to 1355 in Valencia. The exclusively religious procession would eventually make room for a more festive parade, with the Capellà de les Roques (literally, the Chaplain of Parade Floats) inviting the entire town to take part in the festivities. The parade is always led by Gigantes ("Giants", figurines normally representing famous kings, queens, typical professions, etc.), and Cabezudos ("Big Heads", large masks that almost cover up the entire body) and an array of characters and personages from both the Old and New Testaments. The stars are the Casa de las Rocas, however. These floats, some of which were built in the 16th century, are the mobile stages for the performance of Misteris, professions of faith as they're known in Valencia. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kevin McGarry |
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A gesture of love |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
October 9th is an important day in the Valencian calendar. This is when romantic young men wrap up specially decorated and shaped marzipan sweets - Piuletes and Tronadors in silk handkerchiefs - Mocaors and give them to their girlfriends as a demonstration of their affection. The Church has designated the 9th as Saint Dionysius' Feast Day, and he has become the local version of Saint Valentine. It's also Valencia region's official holiday to celebrate the triumphant entrance of Jaime I into the city after defeating the Moors in battle hundreds of years ago. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A traditional holiday |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain |
During Semana Santa, the Holy Week that leads up to Easter, religious processions pour out onto the streets of Valencia. In contrast to the other fun-filled festivals of Spain, this one is relatively subdued and solemn, but is still colorful. Images of Christ, the Virgin Mary and others are paraded in all the neighborhoods - the image of El Cristo del Salvador is especially revered, and is carried by those practicing penance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Gustavo Marin |
 Photo: Gustavo Marin |
 Photo: KIVI OSMA |
 Photo: Carlos Díaz |
 Photo: Daniel Garcia |
 Photo: Ahmed BOUZID |
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Floral design exhibition and competition |
Various venues Valencia, Valencia Spain http://www.crucesdemayo.com/ |
For this festival, celebrated during the first weekend in May - the 'Month of Flowers' - people arrange and display large floral crosses all over the city, bringing to mind the ancient custom of adorning the city limits and roads to and from Valencia with these 'natural monuments'. Some of the most important gateways to the city where May Crosses are displayed are the Camino Real (Royal Road) to Madrid, Morvedre, Mislata, San Vicente de Extramuros, Quart, Cuenca, Torrente, and l'Albufera. For more than 70 years, brotherhoods, religious groups, schools and organizations have competed in adorning the city with both art and a festive atmosphere. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Sights and Sounds of the City |
Área de Comunicación Av. Cortes Valencianas, 41 Valencia, Valencia 46015 Spain +34 96 339 0390 http://www.turisvalencia.es |
TurisValencia is your one stop spot for everything to do in the city of Valencia. Visit their website for details on shopping, transportation, dining, beaches, and a year round calendar of events. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Traditional crafts on show |
Calle del Hospital 7 Valencia 46001 Spain |
This new building houses a permanent exhibition of traditional local crafts, including the famous Valencian ceramics. You can buy some of the goods on display along with their quality guaranteed certificates. There´s also a crafts training school here where the silversmith´s guild, among others, teach their trade to aspiring craftsmen. The centre is located beside the Casa de la Cultura in the grounds of the Colegio del Arte Mayor de la Seda. Admission is free. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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The world's oldest common justice system |
Plaza de la Virgen Valencia 46001 Spain +34 96 391 8127 |
You can watch this ancient system of justice take place at the cathedral's Puerta de los Apóstoles (Door of the Apostles) every Thursday. The Tribunal de las Aguas (Water Tribunal) was set up by Jaime I to regulate the distribution of the River Turia's water for irrigation. The irrigation system itself was designed and built by the Moors. The judges are eight ordinary workers who each represent a different irrigation network. It's their job to sort out the inevitable problems and conflicts between users. They are elected for two year terms of office, wear traditional smocks and hand down their sentences orally in the Valencian language. There is no right of appeal. The speed of this particular justice system and its longevity have made it world-famous. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: kiwigirl |
 Photo: MaryJo80 |
 Photo: Charlton-Perez |
 Photo: lwelti |
 Photo: david_3u |
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Most important Mediterranean film festival |
Fundación Municipal de Cine Plaza del Arzobispo, 2 Valencia 46003 Spain +34 96 392 1506 http://www.mostravalencia.com/... |
This is a unique opportunity to see new works made by film-makers living and working in countries that surround the Mediterranean basin. It's also a chance to see some classic movies. Participants compete for the prestigious gold, silver and bronze awards. Most screenings take place at Cines ABC Martí, Avenida del Antiguo Reino 29, while the closing and awards ceremony is held in the Palau de la Música (conference centre). Review © 2007, Wcities |