Tag Archives: Spain culture

Spain

Moors and Christians Parade in Villena

We were invited by our friend Felipe to go and see the Moors and Christians Fiesta parade in Villena with him and his mom. They had front row balcony seats for the parade. The parade is one of the most famous and spectacular Moors and Christian parades in Spain.

We arrived in the quaint town of Villena at around 4 p.m. There were vehicles parked everywhere and it was difficult to find a parking spot. We parked around five blocks from the center of town and walked slowly towards the main street of Villena.

Shelley and Carmen-Maria walking towards the center of Villena

As we walked along the streets there were large crowds of people all heading towards the center of town.

Crowds of people walking towards the center of town.

As we walked through the streets we came across groups of people participating in the parade. They were dressed up, some were in very elaborate costumes. We stopped to have our picture taken with one group of “Moors” dressed up for the parade.

Bev, Shelley, Carmen-Maria, and Ray with parade participants in the Moors and Christian Festival in Villena, Spain

We arrived at the center of town and met Felipe’s friend, José Luís Valero. José had seats at the very front of the parade route for us.

José was a famous “Cabo” for comparsa andaluces group. He won many awards and in fact, there was a song composed for him which is used in the parade every year. José was a great host and was very energetic and fun.

José, Bev, and Carmen-Maria at the parade

José treated us like family and provided drinks and made the parade even more enjoyable. We had the best seats to see the parade up close.

Shelley, Ray, and Carmen-Maria sitting at the front watching the parade

The parade was massive with over 12,000 people who participated in it. There were seven groups that represent the Moorish, and seven groups which represent the Christian. Each one of these groups was made up of several hundred male and female participants. We watched as groups representing the Moors marched by wearing beautiful and ornate costumes.

Female parade participants dressed in Moorish costumes.
Males dressed in Moorish costumes in the parade

Each group of “Moors” marching in the parade had their own specific costume design. They also had bands following behind each group playing choreographed music. It was an impressive display by the participants of the parade. At the front of each section, there was a head person called a “Cabo” leading the group. They strutted in elaborate and deliberate moves making the march quite impressive.

“Cabo” leading the group in the parade
“Cabo” doing different moves throughout the parade

There were horses, camels, and donkeys in the parade as well. Some of the horses would stand on their hind legs and perform along the parade route.

One of the many horses in the parade
Parade participants on horseback
“Cabo” on horseback leading a group in the parade
One of the camels in the parade.
Cabo on a camel leading a group in parade

We watched the different groups march in the parade, each group with their own unique and beautiful costumes. Some of the costumes cost over 15,000 euros for each one.

A group of “Moors” in the parade
Parade participants in Moors and Christian Parade
A Cabo leading a group of females in parade
Costume with skulls and bones in parade
One of the amazing costumes in the Moors and Christian parade
A costume with feathers and gold material

Some of the costumes were very detailed and stunning to see. Some of the costumes were pieces of art adorned with feathers or with other unique items.

Costumes with blue feathers in parade

 

Costumes with beautiful yellow feathers

Even the back of the costumes had very ornate and beautiful decorations.

View of the rear of some of the costumes.

The Parade started at 4:30 p.m. and we stayed until 8:30 p.m. and the Moors section of the parade was still going on. The entire parade last in excess of six hours. There were so many beautiful costumes and great music from the many different bands. Below is a small collection of photos from the Moors section of the Parade.

The many bands that played specific songs for each group were also very enjoyable. We watched and listened in awe as the parade just continued for hours. We put together a short video of some of the parade.

It was a very surreal feeling being able to be so close to the parade. We had front row seats with a well-known “Cabo” José, which made the event even more memorial. To say that the parade was amazing would be an understatement. It was spectacular and beautiful, something we will remember for a long time.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”

Spain

Flotilla of the Virgin del Carmen

We were fortunate to have friends with a sailboat and they learned about a flotilla event at the marina.  The flotilla is a traditional maritime procession in honor of the “Virgen del Carmen”, the patron saint of sailors. We headed down to the marina to meet Mike and Liz and then go and check it out.

View from the harbor Mike and Liz Sailboat

We headed out on the boat and went towards the exit of the harbor to be ready for the flotilla. On the way out of the harbor, we came across a unique luxury cruise ship.

Star Clipper luxury cruise ship docked at the harbor in Alicante

The luxury cruise ship is 134 meters long and is considered the largest sailing ship in the world.

We found a good location at the mouth of the harbor along with other boaters to wait for the flotilla to start.

At the mouth of the Harbor ready to start the flotilla, with Shelley, Ray, Mike, and Liz.

Once the flotilla procession started, there were even, more boats that joined in.

Some of the boats in the flotilla

We navigated out of the harbor following along side the main boat of the flotilla.

Main boat in the flotilla which carries the Statue of Virgin del Carmen

On the main boat, was a statue of the Virgin del Carmen proudly displayed on the roof of the cabin. The boat also was also playing a song over loudspeakers. The boaters would sound their air horns from time to time. The whole experience was very interesting and enjoyable.

Statue of Virgin Del Carmen, the patron saint of Sailors.

We followed the flotilla for about an hour along the coastline of the Mediterranean before the flotilla stopped. At that point, the lead boat cited two prayers. The first prayer was for the protection of sailors and fisherman who are dependant on the sea for their living.  The second prayer was for the lost souls who died in the sea.

When the prayers were finished, the flotilla headed back to the harbor. It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Bagging Grapes

Each year approximately 10,000 workers across the Hondon Valley tie white paper bags to each fledgling bunch of grapes. The bags are used for the protection of the grape harvest. These protective paper bags prevent pest infestations, feeding birds and shield the grapes from direct pesticide sprays and the fierce sunlight here. It apparently also adds to the flavour, colour and texture of the grape., makes the skin is thinner and easier to eat, plus fortifies the vitamin and nutritional qualities of the fruit.

On Sunday there was an international competition of bagging grapes in the Honton Valley. We decided to go with some of our friends and check it out. The competition is called ” Bases Concurso Embolsado de Uva de Mesa de Novelda”. This was something we never knew existed and wanted to see what it was about.

The competition which is the only one of its kind in the world is held at the Bodega Heretat de Cesilia.  It is based on the skill of bagging grapes which are done for the harvesting of a particular type of grape. It is only short distance outside of Alicante so we headed off early on Sunday to get a good seat to see it.

What was surprising was the size of the event. When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly full and there were crowds of people gathering well in advance of the event.

Filipe, Ray, and Shelley on path to competition

We walked down the path towards the competition and there were beautiful palm trees all along the path.

We found a beautiful gazebo covered in vines providing great shade and an excellent view of the competition. We sat down on a bench and enjoyed a nice shaded area with great views of the rows of grape vines.

Ray, Filipe and Liz under the gazebo at Bodega Heretat de Cesilia.

There was a brass band playing music and a beer garden set up for everyone. They had a booth that was giving out free hats and ball caps. We donned our new hats and settled in to watch the Grape bagging.

Felipe, Mike, Liz, and Ray with new hats and a sample bag used for the grapes

There was an emcee and she drew numbers to determine which row the competitors would compete in. There were 20 competitors that ranged in different ages.

Competitor preparing to start race

The race begins with a gunshot and the competitors run to the end of their row and begin bagging grapes. Each competitor has 150 bags and must tie each one-off in an approved knot. It was very impressive just how fast they could bag the grapes. The video below is in real-time and it is the competitor who won the competition.

After the race was completed, there was music and drinks on the patio. We had an opportunity to meet the winner and have our photo taken with her.

Ray, Mike, Liz, the winner Mari Carmen and Filipe

We went into the Bodega for the official awards and banquet meal.

The first place winner Mari Carmen receiving their trophy and cash prize.

After the official awards were completed we sat at our table and enjoyed our six-course traditional Spanish meal. The meal was very enjoyable and we had a wonderful time.

The banquet hall area of the Bodega

It was a long day but well worth going to see the competition. It was entertaining, educational and lots of fun with friends.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Pottery in Agost

1 Comment

We took a trip out to Agost, a small town near Alicante. This town is known worldwide for its excellent handcrafted pottery.

We went to a family operated pottery facility which has been in the same family for two hundred years. They provided us with a tour throughout their entire process of making handmade pottery.

We started outside and the guide explained how they select the soil, clean and treat it in preparation to make it into clay.

Guide, explaining the process of selecting the soil for clay
Flatbeds for drying the washed soil for clay

We then headed inside the factory to see the next stages of the pottery being created.

The filter process of the soil used for clay
The guide demonstrating the pump system used to get clay

We went into a work area where we watched a potterer create pottery from clay.

A worker making clay pottery and demonstrating the process

We enjoyed the tour and learning about the art of pottery making. We then visited the showroom where there was some very neat handcrafted pottery.

Pottery showroom
Some of the finished pottery on display in the showroom

There is definitely an art to making pottery and it was a very interesting process.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Exposición del Ninot 2017

We attended the “Exposicion del Ninot” display where you can vote for the best Fogueres of 2017.  What makes this so interesting, is that a miniature of each Foguere of the current year is created. They are put on display for people to view and cast a vote for their favorite one.

Entrance to the Exposicion del Ninot 2017

We went inside to view the fogueres and cast our vote. The room was very large and there were fogueres displayed throughout the entire room. Each foguere had an identification card with a number and the barrio it was from.

Foguere identification card
Fogueres on display along the entire walls of the large room

We began walking slowly through the room admiring the amazing art of the fogueres. Each one was unique and had great details. Some were whimsical and almost cartoon like.

whimsical foguere

Other fogueres had themes or represented strong messages.

One of the Foguere’s with a specific message.

The message is a quote from Oscar Wilde which states “They’ve promised that dreams can come true, but forgot to mention that nightmares are dreams, too.”  The image was very powerful and was very well done.

Foguere with strong message and image

One of the entries commemorates a prominent person involved in the fogueres in Alicante for years.

Foguere commemorating the life of a prominent Spanish person involved in the fogueres for years in Alicante
Homage to Antulio SanJuan Ribes

We walked through the first room amazed at all the great artwork of the fogueres.

Ray looking at the fogueres

After about a half an hour looking at the fogueres we came to another hallway and were shocked to find even more fogueres in the next room.

A second room full of fogueres.
Jim and Anne looking at Fogueres

In total there were 89 fogueres which made it very hard to cast our vote.  Below is a gallery of the fogueres, try to decide which one of them is the best.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”