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Spanish Mother's Day! - 4th May! ! !
May Fayre Park of the Nations 14-18 May now and in the past
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Pensioners' Fair 1st - 3rd May
Norwegian! Princess!
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One of the most exotic fiestas on the Costa Blanca is the annual May Fair based on the famous one in Seville. This year dates are from 14th Torrevieja to 18th May 2014, but before this a mini-tent town is set up in the port area alongside the fairground. The tents are called casitas May Fayre! little houses - and each is headquarters to an association that 14 - 18 May! competes to win the prize of the best dressed casita. This fiesta brings the aroma of Andalucia with nightly shows and Music, Dance competitions of Sevilliana costumes, music, food and wine especially sherry. Most casitas provide a small dance floor for impromptu dancing as typical music blares out. The horse and carriage parades and events are held on Saturday and Sunday. Next month we will give an up-to-date report.! There are fairly wide "streets" between the casitas with overhead lanterns, bunting a n d strutting se単oritas and caballeros wearing beautiful coloured clothes. At one end is a multi-lit archway and an enclosed paid area with seating to enjoy the nightly extravaganza on the stage the dates are fixed by the first Tuesday to Sunday of May, the Tuesday being the night reserved for those associated with the casitas and the aroma of grilled sardines fills the air and the electric system is checked out.!
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Officially the Fair begins on Wednesday when the thousands of electric bulbs are switched on, usually around nine o'clock in the evening although people are milling around beforehand. Every evening be prepared for a late night as the song goes ..the wee sma' hours of the morning. Every day there is something going on, but the real action is at night and there is plenty of casitas providing traditional and fast foods, beer and wine, especially sherries of different types. There is no entrance fee apart from the seated theatre area and for what you eat and drink.! Another important aspect of the May Fair is the appearance of horses and carriages on Saturday and Sunday.!
Programme:! Wednesday 14th May! 21.00h. Inauguration and putting on the lights accompanied by the local Unión Musical Torrevejense band directed by Jaime Belda Cantavella and the Coro y Orquesta Salinas de Torrevieja “Maestro Ricardo Lafuente”, directed by Manuel Martínez Guirao.! Followed by firework display.! 21.30h. On stage the la Academia de Baile Sancho & Martínez. ! Thursday 15th! During the days of the Fair continuous music and dance.! 21.30h. Spectacular flamenco dance display by the la Escuela de Baile Paya´s, acompanied by live music. ! Friday 16th! 21.30h. Performing on stage the Municipal School of Dance with Profesor Nuria Girona.! Following this a performance by Antonio “El Torero”.! Saturday 17th! 12.00 Rociera Mass at la Inmaculada church sung by the Casa de Andalucía “Rafael Alberti”.! This is followed by a parade of horses and carriages to the Fairground. The horses remain in the casita area until around 16.00. !
A portable bullring is set up in the nearby parking area with bulls of Rejoneo at 18.00- entrance 20 euros some of which goes to local associations.! 21.30. Dancing on stage by pupils of the Escuela de Danza Mª Dolores Morales.! 23:00h. Grand Final del III Copla Competition featuring Jonathan Pons.! Sunday 18th! 11.00 Horse parade in the fair area until 16.00. ! 12.00. Equestrian spectacular in the port area. Free entrance make sure you have water to drink. ! 20.00. Final of the Sevillanas competitions.! 21.30h. The Dance Academia María del Ángel.! 23.00. On stage the Coral Nueva Generación and the dance group azahar.! 23.30h. Closure of the May Fair by The Masa Coral José Hódar and the Coro Rociero de la Casa de Andalucía “Rafael Alberti”, interpreting the traditional "Salve Rociera".!
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Everybody wants to dance in the casitas, where there is a small dance floor and the music of Seville, sometimes live, other times canned. Although pretty dresses, not everyone wears one to dance, its the music that moves you.! One of the favourite drinks in the Feria del Mayo is sherry in its various forms.!
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Norwegian Princess Cristina -! Infanta de Castilla ! by Pat Hynd There is a large Norwegian community on the Costa Blanca mostly centered at Alfas d'Pi and Torrevieja. Every year on May 17th they all turn out, many in national costume to celebrate the country's day of Independence. In the book "Torrevieja Cameos" there is a brief look at the Viking invasions of Spain. The Vikings travelled enormous distances in their galleys, even raiding inland Orihuela via the River Segura. We know that the Vikings raided Spain for many decades and today Torrevieja has a well-established Norwegian community that celebrates their national day on 17th May every year. !
Princess Cristina of Norway and Infanta de Castilla
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Another link between Spain and Norway is that of the Princess Cristina who was a Spanish Infanta and is buried in Spain. Cristina was the daughter of the Norwegian King Haakon Haakonson, who reigned in Norway from 1217 and 1263. In medieval Europe and in many other countries it was common to make treaties and alliances that were cemented by marriage between reigning families. ! Norway needed grain and although it was available from England it was very expensive, so Haakon IV saw a chance to bind his kingdom with the Holy Roman Empire by marrying his daughter to the Spanish son of the Spanish king who had family links with the German dynasty. This would also enable Norway to have wider commercial opportunities. Therefore, his daughter Princess Cristina was despatched by sea to Spain accompanied by a host of servants and 100-soldier escort. They arrived in France in 1257 and were advised by the French king to travel overland because of the threat of Arab pirates. !
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So the contingent of the Norwegian court travelled with their gifts of gold, silver and many valuable pelts through France, under the patronage of the French king and with guides supplied by him. The group negotiated the mountains and arrived in the Aragon kingdom, firstly at Gerona, then to Barcelona where King Jaime I received them. According to history he himself took the bridle of the beautiful princess and led the entourage to the place prepared for them. It was a triumphant journey until the party entered Burgos on Christmas Eve where they were given the
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hospitality of the monastery where the king’s sister, Doña Berenguela, was abbess. It was quite common for royal persons to take on the cloak of an abbot, bishop or cardinal as this ensured the support of the Church and also provide other sources of revenue and land – apart from any personal piety of individuals. !
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According to one source King Alfonso X intended to have the lovely Norwegian princess as his bride because his own wife Doña Violante, seemed unable to provide an heir and, like the English King Henry VIII, intended to repudiate her. However, while the Norwegian princess was traveling, the queen did give birth to a girl, so the king decided to marry Cristina to one of his brothers and still uphold the matrimonial alliance between Norway and Castillo. Norwegian archives state that the intention was that the Princess would marry one of the brothers, but it was to be her decision which one to choose. !
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When she arrived in Palencia King Alfonso received her and treated her sumptuously. He introduced her to the possible suitors, but she rejected them for one reason or another – a disfiguring scar on one, another because he was rebellious against the family, another was already chosen to be a bishop and that left the youngest who was also the king’s favorite – Felipe. He was
Norwegians celebrate 17th May in Park of Nations
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also destined to be a bishop, but had no real inclination to become a member of the clergy; the Pope had actually stopped him being consecrated as bishop as he was only fifteen at the time, an idea of the nepotism of the time. The princess’s counsellors advised her to choose Felipe. So on Ash Wednesday, 6th February, 1258, the two were betrothed and part of the agreement was that a church dedicated to Saint Olav of Norway (king and saint) would be constructed. !
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Felipe and Cristina were married in St. Mary’s Church, Valladolid after Easter on 31st March as the court was in residence there. The couple moved to Seville to take up residence and Cristina was denominated as Infanta de Castilla. Four years after her arrival she died in 1262 and was buried in a sarcophagus in the church of SS. Cosmos and Damian at Covarrubias near Burgos. The means of her death are a bit obscure with various suppositions put forward, that she died of the heat of Seville being more accustomed to the colder climes of Norway; or that she had died of melancholy missing her native land. Another proposal is that the Queen Violante had her poisoned, as she was jealous of the King’s attention to Cristina. Her burial place was forgotten for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1953 during excavations of the same abbey where her husband had been the abbot for a while.!
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Norwegian artist Britt Sorensen made a statue of her in 1978 that was placed near the grave, partly funded by the people of Tønsberg, and, later in 1992, a foundation was created in her honour to develop relationships between Norway and Spain. ! The princess’s wish of a chapel dedicated to St. Olav was realised when a chapel cum-cultural centre was begun in 2008, partly funded by 50,000 euros grant from the Caja de Burgos and a further 400,00 from European Union funds. The chapel was dedicated on October 2011 and is located in the lovely natural park of the Valle de los Lobos close to the small town of Covarrubias near the monastery of St.Pedro de Arlanza.!
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An interesting book is by Mia Soreide “Cristina of Norway, the tragedy of a princess” and is now available in Spanish. ! The foundation can be contacted on http://www.fundacionprincesakristina.com/ !
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San Olav Chapel
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This park is within easy walking distance of the town centre as well as several urbanisations Calas Blancas, La Siesta, URB. Mi Sol Camping, Acequion and the Habaneras Commercial Centre. It is dedicated to the large number of different nationalities who reside in Torrevieja - around 120. Originally this was visualized as the nationalities of the European Union which can be seen from the configuration of the man made lake, as the land and islands are shaped in the form of Europe, and each nation can be picked out by its flag. !
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Torrevieja - Park of the Nations It does live up to its name though, as many nationalities use the park for events such as Norwegians, Ukrainians, South Americans etc. The first ever family party was for European Day several years ago. The Norwegians prefer it for their annual National Day on 17th May. It as also been the scene for a medieval market a couple of times.!
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The central island is designated as a stage with appropriate electricity connections, and makes a lovely setting. Originally there was a high geyser on the stage, but in practice proved unusable as the wind blew the water onto the adjacent N332 road causing a hazard. It would be nice if there was a fountain here instead. In the lake there are several water features, such as gushers, or a cascade giving the illusion that the water is holding up a huge stone. At one time there were small rowing boats in the shape of ducks, but these didn't prove to be economical.!
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The park land was originally part of the estate of the wealthy Casciaro family (see later article) and there are inherent memories to be found, such as the family chapel, now dedicated to the co-patron
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saint of the town, San Emigdio and every year there is a pilgrimage here, basically asking the saint to help keep the town safe from earthquakes, but like every good Spanish event an excuse for a fiesta. A former water cistern (Los aljibes) that was used to catch rainfall coming down the hill from the nearby Calvario district, to be used by the family, but also sold to neighbours, still exists
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Chapel of San Emigdio at Park of the Nations
and is now an exhibition area. One of the best known exhibitions is the annual one dedicated to model boats, some of them sailing on the lake. !
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Another popular part of the park is for children with swings and a large dinosaur slide, a kiosk, and in season a train ride, not forgetting the aviary with its ducks and other birds. The local branch of the international Lions Club has recently donated play equipment ideally suited for children with disabilities. A common sight is to see peacocks strutting around. Bougainvillea of various colors cling to the surrounding wall, and there are many other flowering bushes, adding bright colour. !
Rocio celebrations
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Lake of Park of the Nations shows map of Europe
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Park of the Nations Backdrop by Andy Ormiston The large house that was the centre of the land where the Park of the Nations is located was surrounded by a wall and known locally as el Cerco. The family who owned el Cerco was called Casciaro. In the civil war Pedro Casciaro Ramírez was one of the people who had an hazardous escape journey from Madrid, then to Valencia, on to Barcelona and with the help of smugglers, to climb over the freezing mountains into the safety of Andorra. This cost approximately 5.400 pesetas for the group of four, a large sum raised by family and friends. Pedro was a Catholic along with two other laymen and the priest who was the founder of the new Opus Dei movement, Father Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. All would have been executed by the Republicans for their beliefs if caught any way along their route.! ! Pedro's family owned a large property in Torrevieja that was one of the largest fincas in the area: that of San José de los Hoyos (St. Joseph's Pit), which included the area we know today as the Park of the Nations. There was a large neoclassical style manor house built in the middle of the 19th century, home of the Casciaro family. The land was used to grow olives, fig trees, almonds etc. It included wells supplying water via norias, a mill for grinding the olives, various storage outhouses for the crops, the large stone water cistern now used as an exhibition centre los Aljibes. There was a garden, numerous palms, pine trees including a very large one the family enjoyed sitting under in its shade. In the early 20th century there was a greenhouse with a good collection of diverse cacti, a hobby for Pedro the father. Separate from the house was a small chapel dedicated to St. Joseph, behind this a family pantheon that doesn't appear to have been used, apart from the grandfather, Julio Casciaro, who kept his fishing gear here and
The former house and the two brothers Jose María and Pedro
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Peter Casciaro at his ordination with his mother and father. enjoyed a siesta in its cool interior. This chapel is preserved in the Park, but now dedicated to San Emigdio co-patron saint of Torrevieja, intercessor for protection against earthquakes, with a fiesta in August.! ! Pedro Casciaro was born in Murcia on 16th April 1915, his mother was Emilia Ramírez, sister to Diego Ramírez Pastor to whom the town's most prestigious award is dedicated. His father was also named Pedro Casciaro who encouraged his son in his studies in architecture at Madrid University. Young Pedro was the great-grandson of Luis Casciaro Carrara,who emigranted from Naples to London, another Italian link with Torrevieja, as his son Peter Casciaro was born and educated in England. It was Luis Casciaro, married to Catalina Lobato Bellido (whose mother actually bought the finca in 1852) with six children, who moved the family in the middle of the 19th century to Torrevieja. His son Pedro married Torrevejense Carolina Boracino Calderón, sister to Concha Boracino who proclaimed Torrevieja as a Cantón in the First Republic on 19th July 1873 (see Torrevieja Cameos); he developed several businesses in Spain, including mining, railway and properties. In the summer young Pedro would join the family at La Hoya, go swimming and sailing, team up with his brother José María to enjoy the central paseo chatting with other youths, or go to the cinema. His aunt Maruja was a young modern miss of her day who would drive the boys to town in her Peugeot. Pedro daydreamed of going to sea as his paternal grandfather had a sailing ship that went to South América, a motorised sailing ship and a third ship constructed on his orders.! ! At Madrid university young Pedro Casciaro Ramírez came under the influence of Don José María Escrivá de Balaguer, the priest founder of the Opus Dei movement, then in its infancy. It was with this priest and a couple of other companions that Pedro fled Madrid, where they were likely to have been killed as active Catholics, and escaped on their arduous journey to Andorra, risking arrest all the way. From Andorra they returned to Spain and initially in Pamplona, then !
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Before going over the Pyrenees
to Burgos where the young priest could celebrate Mass. Pedro and his friends had ! to join the Nationalist army for a while. After the war Peter studied to be a priest
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and was ordained in 1945. Some internet references call him a Jesuit but this is unlikely owing to the long studies Jesuit priests have to do and in his life he never seems to have lived in a Jesuit community. The basis of the Opus Dei is the personal sanctification of each person, which really is the duty of any Christian. Pedro went to México and other South American countries in 1949 where he successfully introduced the system of the movement. His ability as an architect was useful as he was able to design churches and residencies as the Opus Dei grew. From México he canvassed bishops on U.S.A. and Canada to introduce Opus Dei there. His brother, Jose María Casciaro, also became a priest of Opus Dei in 1951 having been a lay member for several years after the end of the civil war, when he received a phone call one Christmas in the house of his uncle Diego Ramírez from the founder, then in Barcelona. The father of the two young men was a Republican, Local President of the Popular Front in Albacete and also served as Provincial Director of Historic and Artistic Monuments and had considerable success in storing and hiding many works of art taken from churches and private collections in Albacete and in Fuensanta, as well as saving many lives. Its an interesting aspect of a civil war where members of the same family were circumstances placed them on opposite sides. ! ! Father Pedro Casciaro Ramírez died in México D. F. on 23rd of April 1995 and a niece, Conchita García Casciaro, who inherited the finca donating some of the land to the town of Torrevieja enabling us to enjoy the Park of the Nations. Every July a small group of hikers take The Freedom Trail from St. Girons in France to North Spain retracing a wartime escape route known as The Comet Line, similar to the journey of Pedro Casciaro and his friends. The pathway is 40 kilometres and takes four days as it goes over the Pyrenees, the walkers hiking up to 15,000 feet high. During WW2 and the Spanish civil war the Pyrenees was frontier, a barrier, but also an escape route for many people, including one or two Torrevejenses who escaped from Mauthausen concentration camp. International Brigade volunteers also trekked over the mountains to join the Republican army. Other people used the smuggler route to escape from the wrath of Republican fanatics.!
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Colombicultura by Dave Stewart ! Someone quite excitedly commented to me that he had seen a rare multicoloured bird and by the description it was obvious that it was a racing pigeon. San Felipe de Neri (17 May) is patron saint for people who breed pigeons and on 26th May fiestas have a flying start in Piles in the Province of Valencia, just one of many towns of pigeon fanciers. Near to Orihuela is the small village of San Felipe de Neri and this is of course their own patronal fiesta with many local events. ! Pigeon racing (Colombicultura) is a very popular sport in the Valencian and Murcia Regions and there are dozens of clubs. Pigeons can be worth thousands of euros and each one is registered with the racing pigeon association, named and each bird has its feathers dyed so that they are easily distinguishable. These are pedigree birds bred for their stamina and speed as well as their natural homing instincts ability. Each province in Valencia and Murcia region have their own leagues and inter championships including the King’s Cup. In fact it is an international sport as pigeon racing involves the flying of a specific breed of pigeon trained to fly over distances from 100 to 1,000 kilometres and is a sport with a single starting point and a thousand finishing lines. The time the bird takes to cover the specified distance is measured and the rate of travel calculated is compared with all the other pigeons in the race. This determines the highest speed once the ring on it leg has been removed, placed in the clock and recorded, so it is important that the pigeon should be enticed back into its cote. Some birds are worth thousands and there is a lot of money passing hands in bets.! Pigeon cotes at LA COLOSAL, overlooking La Mata parkland
Torrevieja Club Deportivo de Colombicultura has a very active membership and in June hold the Torneo Ciudad de Torrevieja. The club meet regularly on weekends at the lofts at La Colosal.! San Miguel de las Salinas has one called the Club de Palomos Deportivos ´El Aguila´ and the clubhouse is in the street behind the Charlot curtain shop - Calle Inmaculada.!
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Since early days man has always d r e a m e d o f committing his five senses to something concretely tactile and visual, the beginning of arts and culture that are brought together in the cinema together with technology. In Athanasius Kircher, early inventor This is shown in the TorreviejA early drawings in caves such as those in Spain at the Cueva de Altamira where there is a wild pig, a jabalí, which has eight feet demonstrating the artist’s idea of movement. An early experiment was that of the “magic lantern” developed in 1640 attributed to the prodigious German Jesuit, Athanasius Kircher, which was able to project still drawings in a sequence giving the impression of movement. It was another Jesuit, Aquilonius, in his work on optics, issued in 1613, who had first sought to explain how the by two pictures presented to the two eyes are fused into one, and it was in a practical demonstration of this, by means of lenses, that Andy Ormiston Kircher hit upon the invention of the projecting stereoscope. ! A Dane, M. Valdemar Poulsein, first recorded sound on a magnetic disc in 1898. The original films were soundless, making use of written dialogue on screen backed by real-live music played in the cinema theatre on a piano or organ. Many professionals, including Charlie Chaplin, thought that sound would never last. 'Fantasmagorie', is an 1908 French animated film by Émile Cohl, one of the earliest examples of traditional Cueva de Altamira there is a wild pig animation, and considered by film drawing, a, 8-legged jabalí, demonstrating historians to be the first animated movement cartoon. Colour became the next objective and in 1906 two British inventors, Smith and Urban, experimented by backing images with a colour transparency behind. But it wasn’t until 1935 that the first colour production became a reality. ! ! The first showing in Spain of the new invention of cinema was only a few months after the Lumière showing in 1895; this was in Madrid in 1896. The first
Making
Movies
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Spanish film was made in 1896 “Salida de misa de doce del Pilar de Zaragoza”. During 1928 more than 60 films were made in Spain. The Spanish public quickly became movie fans and the Spanish film industry grew with a great deal of talent, which, unfortunately, has never really broken into the non-Spanish-speaking market until recently. ! ! After the Civil War a philistine censorship was introduced and foreign films were heavily cut, so much so that the plot often confused people. But it did result in a great deal of discussion about films as people looked on them for a diversion from their difficult everyday lives and became a form of escapism.According to local information several films have used Torrevieja as a backdrop and some of its citizens as extras. In 1958 “Robinson" and "el Triciclo” were shot on the palm littered beach of lo Ferris and on the paseo Vista Alegre using locals as extras. "Alba de America" was also partly filmed on this beach and "El hombre de la isla" in 1961 by director Vicente Escrivá. In December 1963 two films shot on location in Torrevieja were “Uvas Verde” and “Loca Juventud”, the latter starring the singing boy star Joselito, who liked it so much that in later years he bought a bar in Torrevieja. Pablo Calvo was famous for his child role in “Marcelino, pan y vino” which is considered a Spanish classic film and in which another well-known local actor, ! José Marco Davó, participated. The Torrevieja Municipal Drama School is named after !
Lo Ferris used as tropical island paradise or desert in films
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Marco Davó who was born in Orihuela and ended his days in Torrevieja. In 1944 twentythree Torrevieja sailors, under Rafael López Garcia, took part in the filming of several movies in Barcelona area using two galleons, the work of film director Samuel Bronston, including “The Count of Montecristo”, “The Adventurers” and the “Pacific Tempest”. ! ! Bronston found that Spanish's low labour rates an attraction for filming. British and American had already started to used Spanish locations since the middle 50´s, and when Bronston arrived, he found highly qualified crews in all departments. Bronston was the first producer to realize the potential of film making in Spain and later set up studios in Madrid, where many other important films in Spain were made including “The Fall of the Roman Empire”, “55 Days in Pekin”, “King of Kings” and “El Cid”. !
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! Spain was also popular for the Spaghetti Westerns of Clint Eastwood fame, filmed in Almeria and it is still possible to visit an imitation western film set and see the sheriff shoot down the baddies. From 8th to 11th September there will be a Western Film Festival held for the third year at Tabernas in Almeria.!
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! In August 1965 fourteen well-suntanned boys and 15 browned-off girls from Torrevieja joined the set of “Drums of Tabu” filmed at tropical Cabo Roig, which was used as a Pacific Ocean island. Cadets from the air force base at San Javier and others from the naval base in Cartagena participated, along with some people from Torrevieja, as extras in ”The Green Zone” that starred Matt Damon and was partly filmed in Los Alcazares and in Almeria. Years before that the air base was used for some shots for "The Battle of Britain" with planes camouflaged with German markings put on by Torrevejense Vicente Torregrosa. ! ! In July 2007 the four small Vela Latina boats of Torrevieja’s sailing club took part in “Garden of Eden” a John Irving film based on a Hemmingway story, starring Jack Huston (grandson of the famous director) based in the 1920’s. This part was recorded in Altea with four Torrevieja 'Pacos' crewing, although the main part was filmed in the Alicante studios
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of the Ciudad de Luz. The Torrevejenses were Francisco Lopez, Francisco Cayetano, Francisco Garcia and Francisco Rebollo and the film was shown in the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. In 2008 the small lateen boats were once again visible in the television film “Flor de Mayo” based on a novel by Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, who also has a street dedicated to him in Torrevieja as he wrote about the town. ! In April 2008 the Torrevieja mayor signed an agreement with the Ciudad de la Luz film studios in Alicante to open a local Film Office, which would produce audiovisual material, making use of the town’s unique locations such as the Salinas, maritime areas and beaches. ! A documentary about Torrevieja was made in the time of mayor Vicente Garcia by Leuka Films in 1968 to promote the City of Salt during the seventies. It was very enterprising and shown in thousands of cinemas nationwide when Torrevieja was just a sleepy fishing village of less than 10,000 citizens. “Torrevieja, blanca de sal y morena de soles” became a slogan of the town. The film owes a lot to cameraman Pascual Muñoz who used a 35mm Arriflex camera and it was rereleased in 2013 on DVD as a charity souvenir fund raiser by the Torrevieja Rotary Club. Muñoz previously made documental films for other Alicante towns: "Altea paraíso blanco" (1965), "Benidorm bahía azul" (1965) and Alicante "Hogueras de San Juan" (1964). He was a war correspondent in Algeria and made documental films for Spanish television and the national archives of NO-DO, but died in a car crash in 1971 aged 35. !
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Short Films Festival Alicante! This film festival started in 2004 and ten years later was firmly entrenched in the film industry as an epicenter for short films, although longer films are shown. ! It celebrates the 11th edition this year from 26th to 30th May. The week long festival has several side events - workshops, themed cycles, homage to cinematographic personalities, master class, schoolchildren section with its own competition, as well as the actual competition that shows the best of the entries and a final gala for the presentation of the winning short films. ! The 2014 edition received over 1,200 entries as well as sixty longer films of national origin. Included is a dedication to the film music industry highlighting a particular composer. Young Bands from Castalla, Mutxamiel and Onil will play film music at the Concha on Alicante Esplanade at midday on Sunday 25th, but there are other musical events including cabaret, western music, tango cafe concert. Check out the webpage www.festivaldealicante.com! 26 al 30 de May!
4th Torrevieja Audiovisual Short Film Festival ! 6 - 7 June 2014! Last year there were 526 entries and finals will be held in the Virgen del Carmen Cultural Centre
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The Cucaracha Club
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I suppose everyone knows at least the chorus of ‘A cucaracha, a cucaracha ..la, di,la, di dah’. The song's earliest lyrics, from which its name is derived, concern a cockroach that has lost one of its six legs and is struggling to walk with the remaining five. The cockroach's uneven, five-legged gait is imitated by the song's original 5/4 meter, formed by removing one upbeat (corresponding to the missing sixth leg) from the second half of a 6/4 measure. The cucaracha is supposed to be the one creature that could survive in a nuclear blast. It wont live in my house as my wife is always ready with a slipper to plaster it.!
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“The Cucaracha Club” is the title of a new production of Siesta Films about spies living in Spain, who, like the cucaracha, are hard to kill, surviving against all odds. It is basically a kidnap plot amongst the spy community, of course, with a twist and suspense. The producers are working hard sourcing locations in this area, showing some of the best natural attractions of the sea, beach and countryside. The production team are still looking for locations, including a suitable bar whose owners are sure about their product, not only to have it filmed, but to invest in the production, with advertising rights that should make the bar an attraction outside their normal clientele. From experience we know that bars that have featured in television shows about the Costa Blanca have become famous overnight. The initial film will be shot over a 6-8 week period at the end of this summer and the production will take approximately 12 weeks post-production. ! ! The screenplay has been written by Billie Anthony Gaddess, although the script has been written by Philip Routledge, who is also going to direct the movie. Philip Routledge is the CEO of PSA Films based in the UK and has many years of experience in the film and TV industry. His most recent film is "The Hit", which is coming out soon in the UK.! ! The stars in the movie will be Hollywood actor Al Matthews, top British actor Tom Watt (known as Lofty in East Enders). Al Mathews is a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts among other awards and has worked most of his life in theatre, films, television radio and singing. He has acted in Aliens, Superman III, Tomorrow Never Dies, Omen III, and on tv in the Saint, Lockerbie and as father of Benny Green in Grange Hill. Al will be appearing at the Almeria Westen film Festival, from 8-11 September. Tom Watt is a radio presenter and passionate about football (he was ghost writer for David Beckham book) but has also appeared on aormi@icloud.com
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df-ajJnUrF0.
theatre, tv and parts in films. The rest of the cast and crew are made from local actors with maybe less experience, but working to a very high standard.! ! One aim for shooting this film is to promote the film and TV industry for the Costa Blanca area and, in doing so, also promoting the business and places involved in the shooting to obtain investments and business contact outside their usual parameters. There will also be some local extras used in the filming.! The producers intend to send the movie to every possible film festival around the world. Anyone interested in the production, investment etc. should contact Siesta Film productions <siestafilms@gmail.com> or https://www.facebook.com/ SiestaFilmProductions.!
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The Legends of Caravaca de la Cruz by Dave Stewart The fiestas of this town held on and around 3rd May are well known throughout Spain and have the recognition of being of National Touristic Interest. Normally things start on 30th April.! The Greeks founded Caravaca in 333 AD, but little is known about it until 1243. Its fortress surmounted by its Torre Chacona, which dates to the 12th century, dominates the town. In the sanctuary of the Vera Cruz the sacred reliquary is venerated. It is yet another splinter of the True Cross of Jesus, encased in a cross embellished with gold and silver and a slice of it was sent with the Conquistadores to South America where they founded the city of Veracruz (the True Cross). ! ! The Caravaca cross is supposed to have appeared during the celebration of a Mass on 3rd May, 1231 and at the same time disappeared mysteriously from Jerusalem. Among the congregation was the Almohad warrior, Zeit Abuzei, king of Valencia, who converted to Christianity when he was amazed to see the cross, supported by four archangels, surrounded by a wonderful light. The cross has been a symbol of this town for centuries as it was a frontier town with the Moorish kingdom of Granada and was the scene of many skirmishes and battles! ! In 1998 the Vatican approved that every seventh year would be considered to be a Holy Year in Caravaca de la Cruz. This is the sixth time that this honour has been given to a town; so now Caravaca ranks alongside Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago
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de la Compostela, and the Monastery of Santo Toribio de LiĂŠbana in Potes (Cantabria).! ! ! This is a fiesta that has been going on for over seven centuries. In the 16th century the Buen Suceso Hospital was founded to assist the many pilgrims who visited the town. ! ! ! The beginning of May is when the annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Race of the Horseâ&#x20AC;? is held, commemorating the relief of the town during a siege by the Moors, when a dash was made by horsemen to bring water into the besieged town. The wells of the town were contaminated and people were dying. The group of horsemen rode quickly to where el Templete is today, which was a small reservoir, but the Arabs had left the carcasses of dead horses in the water, so this too was contaminated. The horsemen then rode in the direction of Lorca to El Campillo, chased by the Moors and fighting all the way, slaying many of the enemy without any loss among themselves. The water here too was contaminated and the men, supposed to be Templars, filled their casks with wine from nearby bodegas and returned to the Caravaca amid great rejoicing. The foot of the Cross was dipped in the wine and the sick who drank of the wine recovered. The horsemen were enriched with many priceless objects and the horses too were covered with richly ornamented blankets. !
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The wonderful accoutrements that are put on the horses today are examples of the skillful art of the sewing needle. Delicate pictures seem to be actual photos and the mantle covering the horses depicts the story of the race. These can be seen in the local museum, but, on the 2nd May, they are ritually put on the horses piece by piece in preparation for the race on the morning of the 3rd May. In this region Museum
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there are many schools of embroidery, handing on skills from generation to generation and which in recent years has seen a revival of interest.! ! Once the horse race is finished there are activities held throughout the rest of the day, so it is pretty tiring just being an observer. A procession goes from the plaza del Arco to the Templete then later goes on towards the castle, stopping on the way at the Carmelite convent to receive a gift of flowers from the Mother Superioress who is custodian of the reliquary. ! There is a spectacular parade of the various bands of Christians and Moors on 3rd May.!
" Places to visit in Caravaca! "
! The local church, El Salvador, is worth a visit as it was built between 1534 and 1600 on the site of an old Templar hospital. Another jewel in the crown of Caravacas is the church of San José founded in 1568 by Saint John of the Cross, then, of course, is the basilica. The Castle has many interesting rooms to visit, including the chapel of the Apparition, The Mirador de la Reina, the Torre Chacona, the clock tower, the room of Cabildos, the Vera Cruz chapel and a museum where costumes of the Moors and Christians can be viewed. It is a town oozing history and legend in every part. Later, on 14th September, the patronal fiestas are held. Nearby is Callasparrras where rice is grown and also the wine producing are around Jumilla.! ! A twist to the tale has been made into a novel, “Lignum Crucis” by Torrevieja journalist José Bañuls who discovered that during the Spanish Second Republic, when many churches were being destroyed and desecrated, the relic disappeared on Ash Wednesday 1934 and the novel takes the reader (in Spanish) to Marrakech and Torrevieja church in recovery of the relic amid threats by the mysterious modern Order of Templars.!
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Madrid in Torrevieja by Dave Stewart ! In Torrevieja there are many residents from other parts of Spain and, fortunately, they have brought some of their own customs and fiestas, enriching the culture of the town. The salt city now has several fiestas reflecting Spain making it a mini-Spain where celebrations peculiar to various regions can be enjoyed throughout the year. ! ! 15th May is one of the biggest fiestas in Madrid being the day of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador; usually includes five days of bullfights, the praderas, concerts, theatre plays, dances, fairs of art and pottery, cultural programs in the districts of Madrid, the special Titirimundi through all the city of Madrid. A rather unusual person as patron saint for a capital city such as Madrid; he was a pious farmer, married to a woman who became known as Saint Mary de la Cabeza. Their son died young; convincing them it was the will of God that they not have children, and they lived together celibately the rest of their lives, doing good works. He was accused by fellow workers of shirking his duties by attending Mass each day, taking time out for prayers, etc., Isidore claimed he had no choice but to follow the highest Master. One tale says that when his work master came in the morning to chastise him for skipping work for church, he found angels plowing the fields in place of Isidro. Miracles and cures reported at his grave, in which his body remains incorruptible. He is a popular saint in the Vega Baja area and most agricultural towns have some sort celebration. In Torrevieja the Madrilenes have a parade wearing typical clothing, the men with their waistcoats and flat bonnets and the women in flouncy dresses with a large flower in their hair. Reminds me rather of the pearly kings of London. They also have a particular dance - Chulapos -which is reminiscent of the Lambeth Walk.!
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!! Nearer Torrevieja is the village of San Isidro which celebrates this feast day on a less grand scale, but with processions and other events. This small town received its independence from Albacete in 1992. The feast of San Isidro is the main fiesta held in this small town near Orihuela. ! This is a farming community and each year there is a Romeria (pilgrimage) in honour of San Isidro with a special act in honour of the other saintly town patron, the Virgen of Fatima, when the oxen, which have been pulling the gaily coloured caravans, go down on their knees in front of the image of the virgin. This takes place in April but from the 13th - 15th May the town is a hive of activity as the old and young celebrate with a variety of sporting and cultural events including motoring rallies.!
" Oxen and wagon racing
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Bookshelf by Pat Hynd
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Journalist Christopher Howse has brought out a recent travel book about Spain based on his many rail journeys in the country. He has written several other books, mostly of a spiritual nature plus hundreds of articles in various newspapers. In "The Train in Spain" he demonstrates his strength as a humourous writer, with asperic notes about people and places, flowers and fauna, writes about what he eats and drinks. The writer is a regular columnist with The Telegraph, with a great interest in religion and this is put to good use in this travel book as he forages in the most unexpected corners of Spain.! ! His knowledge about fairly unknown (or ignored) architecture and personages relating to these buildings is almost encyclopedic. There are several travel books available a b o u t enjoying Spain and it's jewels by using its extensive train network. It is one of those pleasant books whose storyline that can be dropped and picked up later. I must admit that I often laugh out loud when reading some of his comments in his articles.! Anyone who delights in living in Spain will enjoy "The Train in Spain" published by Bloomsbury at ÂŁ16.99 as it updates other travelogues by Ford, Townsend and others.!
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! On the internet there are several free E-Book sources, mostly of out of date books (ie copyright), but still excellent books that are well written and extremely well researched. Amazon or E-bay still provides a source for printed versions at a price. ! ! One of my favourite books is of another train journey by ELIZABETH BOYLE O'REILLY who published in 1910 "Heroic Spain". This was an exciting time for the country as it still had the famous '98 generation around, the train was still new, but well established. The Second Republic and the Civil War were not even in sight, so the book gives an insight into many sections of Spanish society as it has just entered a new 20th century with all sorts of new technology talked about such as traveling in the air, the introduction of cinema or even shaving, using a safety razor. ! ! Not that the American lady Ms. Boyle O'Reilly would have use for a razor, as she had a female traveling companion with her and had done her homework, something I wish many modern travelers to Spain would do, especially those contemplating actually residing here. She has several excellent photographs scattered throughout the book, obviously in black and white, I feel that so many scenes are better in that format.! ! The book begins with some travel hints that seem a bit quaint nowadays. She is an addict to legends and tittle tattle and going-ons in palaces, and very knowledgable about the background of many of the architectural buildings she visited. All the uncomfortable journeys and places where they stayed are explained, including an illness that didn't stop her from extending her time in Spain to eight months. It is a romantically written travelogue with many hidden gems about places and people, customs, music and dance, not forgetting her own opinions of different meals and wines. Her journey begins in the Basque country and she enthuses over the beautiful countryside, (some of which you can see in another article), at the same time recounting details, quoting authors of poetry or other travel books. Unfortunately, she never made it to Valencia region due to her illnesses. I have it on my iPad and although I have read it, I still enjoy dipping in now and then to find another tasty bit of information. I downloaded it from Gutenberg Project, which is part of a trust set up by the famous printers and has over 42,000 free e-books available.!
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of Spanish Recipes by Pat Hynd!
" " " A r r o z (rice). !
Over the centuries hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes containing rice as a basic ingredient have evolved throughout Spain. Most Spanish rice is grown in the Valencian region with the varieties Bahia, Senia and Bomba marked with the D.O. symbol. Calasparra is an area in the hills of the Murcia Region which grows its own distinctive brown coloured rice. Not every rice is suitable for paella dishes, usually the round grained rices are used, many cooks use the Bomba mark.! A lot of rice dishes have emanated from the sailors who used basics, such as dried rice or noodles, as bulk food and added fresh seafood from their catch plus easily kept vegetables like onion, garlic or peppers.!
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Arroz a banda.! This is basically a rice dish made with fish stock, but in this recipe we have included fish as an accompaniment. It is one of Spainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many famous rice dishes, that is saffron flavoured rice, fish, herbs, tomatoes and garlic. It is a typical rice dish of this area! 2-3 kilos of various fish (e.g. bass, grouper, redfish, scorpion, mullet, bream or angler fish)! Fish head trimmings for stock.! 1/2 kilo of large prawns! 1 dozen scrubbed clams or mussels.! 1 onion! 4 tomatoes, 50 ml. oil! 2 cloves garlic, ! 1 green pepper, ! 500 grams rice! Thyme, bay leaf, parsley, saffron, a dozen peppercorns,! 1/2 cup of ali-oli (garlic mayonnaise)! 2 litre of water! 250 ml. white wine.!
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Clean the fish cutting it into slices or filleting it. All the heads, bones and trimmings go into a pot with half an onion, 2 tomatoes, thyme, bay leaf, parsley, salt and pepper. Cover with 200 ml. of white wine and water: bring to boil, skim the scum and simmer for at least an hour. Strain this fish stock into another pot continuing to keep it simmering. Stock or caldo is also available ready made in packets from the supermarket. ! In this stock poach the fish fillets or slices, removing them carefully with a skimmer when they are ready and place them on a platter. Continue cooking the prawns and mussels or clams, arranging them on the platter once they are ready. ! In a casserole dish or paella pan heat the oil and sautĂŠ the remaining grated onion. Add the other two chopped tomatoes, 2 squeezed garlic cloves and the green pepper, cut into strips. Stir in the rice on a high heat to absorb the oil. Measure in a 1 litre of fish stock. Crush the peppercorns and the saffron with a teaspoon salt and add to the rice along with the remaining white wine. Cook on high for five minutes then reduce the heat or put it in an oven for 20 minutes. Serve the rice separate, accompanied by the platter of fish and the sauce. !
Fresh shootings on olive tree
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! Arroz a la Alicantina has fish, artichokes, with the rice.! Arroz a la Mallorquina is rice with pigeons, tomatoes, mussels and fish plus mixed vegetables.! Arroz a la Marinera has its origins on fishing boats, easily prepared and cooked by the sailors and has prawns, fish, mussels and herbs, the type of ingredeints readily at hand.! Arroz con Bacalao is a rice dish with salt cod, green peppers, tomatoes and garlic.! Arroz con Huevos is rice with stuffed tomatoes and hard boiled eggs.! Arroz a la Cubana is a typical dish of Torrevieja being boiled rice with garlic, topped with fried eggs and covered with a tomato sauce (tomato frito).! Arroz con JĂŠrez is cooked with sherry and onions.! Arroz con Judias Blancas is a rice dish with white haricot beans, ham, hot pepper and potatoes.! Arroz con Mahonesa is a cold fish dish with rice and vegetables blended with mayonnaise and presented in a mould shape.! Arroz Empedrat features dried beans and rice cooked together with garlic, oil and tomatoes.! Arrox Gallego is rice with mushrooms, tomatoes and herbs.! Arroz Murciano is a local rice dish with pork, red peppers, tomatoes and saffron.! Arroz negro con calamares is a rice dish (plus carrot, onion, almejas, tomato, garlic and parsley) with squid and using the ink of the squid to colour and add its own distinctive flavour to the rice making it black in appearance. !
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Aceite is oil, usually olive oil but vegetable oil such as sunflower (girasol) or corn (maize).! Olive Oil: no nothing to do with Popeyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girl fried, but this is one of the most important ingredients that characterizes the Mediterranean diet, a diet that is praised and recommended by dietitians the world over. If you look on Amazon you will find
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hundreds of books proclaiming the miraculous benefits of this sacred oil of Greek and Roman mythology. The olive tree was indispensable in the early Mediterranean civilizations and in the Bible there are over 200 references to it, especially as a symbol of peace. The olive tree arrived in Spain over 3,000 years ago, which has been attributed to the Phoenicians. ! As a kid in sunny Scotland my mother always had a small bottle of olive oil from Boots chemist for medicinal purposes and she used to rub it on my body in the long hot summers; I attribute my lovely soft skin to this treatment. A European ruling that came into force in January of this year was that olive oil must be presented in sealed, tamperproof packaging. This explains why you may be presented with an ungainly bottle of oil on the restaurant table rather than gracious curved cruets. It is part of a campaign to provide diners with sealed condiments of good origin preventing restaurants from substituting the real thing for a cheaper alternative! But here we are talking about Spanish olive oil as the new sprigs have sprung in Spring and now the shape of berries beginning to appear. The flavour, colour and taste varies depending on the type of olives used, and like wine, the climate, place and soil affects the qualities of the olives and the subsequent oil. The type of olive tree and the ripeness of its fruit influence the colour of the oil. Some trees are developed to produce olives for eating while others are produced to provide oil - two separate types of tree. ! The variety picual is the most important in the world representing some 20% worldwide and 50% Olive trees are easily transplanted and this very old tree is a of Spanish production. It good example in C. Quesada. contains a high level of oleic acid and keeps well, as it possesses a good quantity of natural antioxidants.! La Arbequina is one of the best-known Spanish varieties with small olives containing a lot of oil. They make good eating as they are soft, light, and delicate with an almost almond flavour. ! Hojiblanca is also well known and is used for salads. It has a sweet and fruity flavour.!
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Olive oil is cholesterol free and very high in oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid. This type of fat does not raise blood cholesterol levels the way animal fat or tropical oils from palm and coconuts does. Olive oil contains between 55% and
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83% unsaturated fats as well as ! antioxidants that fight free radicals, elements that suppress the immune system of the body, and could be the cause of heart disease, cancers as well as the aging process. Olive oil also helps reduce blood pressure. Vitamin E is present in olive oil and this is a powerful antioxidant. Other vitamins A, D, E, K, are all found in olive oil. Apart from this olive oil is excellent for flavouring foods. However, there are various types of olive oil.! Extra Virgin Oil is of the highest quality being the first pressing of the olives without the use of heat or chemicals. It has the lowest acidity quality.! Virgin Olive Oil is from the second pressing and has a slightly higher acidity level.! Olive Oil is produced from another pressing and the olives are heated to thin the oil so that it is removed more easily.! Light Olive Oil is made from the filtered combination of refined olive oil and small amounts of virgin olive oil. It is not light in the sense of less kilo joules, just in texture and taste.!
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In general, virgin olive oils are used for salad dressings. It is used in cooking, as it does not break down when heated and actually forms a seal around food, sealing in flavour and minimizing fat absorption. Many Spanish housewives mix it with girasol (sunflower) oil.!
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One of my favourite memories is a an overnight train journey from Alicante to Malaga and in the morning seeing fields and fields of glorious Andalucian sunflowers, their necks stretched so that their brilliant faces could catch the sun's early morning light. Apart from producing oil the sunflower seeds are roasted and salted and sold in packets as pipas and the husk unceremoniously spat out, something my brother-in-law loves doing as he knows it annoys me.!
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Montforte del Cid! Grapes On 17th May the feast of San Pascual Bail贸n takes place in Montforte del Cid, near Elche. This small town is famous for its grapes and production of wine; the bunches of grapes can be seen enclosed in plastic and paper bags to protect them from the ravages of insects and disease, but also gives them their own distinguishing flavour when producing the regional wine. These grapes are very popular at the end of the year when the custom is to eat twelve grapes for good luck in time to the chimes of the midnight bells. Actually this custom was a result of good advertising as almost an hundred years ago there was a glut of grapes and some bright spark came up with the idea of 12 grapes for good luck in the coming year. !
Torremanzanas ! Bread on the head On the 8th May an extraordinary procession is held in Torremanzanas where large rounds of bread are blessed and worn, suitably decorated, on the heads of the young women who wear the local traditional dress. This feast is in honour of San Gregorio Ostiense. On the same day many towns celebrate the Virgin de los Desamparados. Gregory was a Benedictine monk, appointed as Bishop of Ostia. Later became a Cardinal and was Papal legate to the kingdoms of Spanish Navarre and Old Castile. He died c.1044 at Logrono and is venerated throughout Navarre and Rioja. !
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Places to visit
Buying a Spanish property opens a new lifestyle and fresh opportunities as there is so much to do and so many interesting places to visit within easy reach of Torrevieja. Although a car makes a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outing easy, there are several bus companies that offer day outings or even short visits to fascinating towns. !
" Elche - Rome and Spain meet! "
This is a good day out from Torrevieja. Elche is several thousands of years old, its settlement dating back to pre-Iberian, then Romans, Carthaginians, Moors and Jews along with Christian medieval period. As such there is a wealth of fiestas and interesting places to visit and very helpful staff in the tourist office. It has the distinction of two UN awards as heritages of humanity: one is the wonderful palm groves; the other is the unique medieval mystery play of the Assumption of Mary held in mid-August. But there are many other fiestas such as Moors & Christian parades, a Settlersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Procession, Medieval music and cinema festivals. The modern part of the city is full of good shopping centres, while the older area has a charming appeal in a cosy atmosphere. Santa Pola was the Roman port.! This area is famous for its shoemaking and there is a museum dedicated to shoes and boots near Elche. The Elche River Safari Park on the outskirts of the city provides another different outing where a large variety of animals can be safely seen from a boat.!
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Alicante - castles and ships! This is an historic city with a magnificent harbour area with ferries to Tabarca
Island. The port district has its own exciting nightly entertainment scene. The predominating feature is the Santa Barbara castle overlooking the whole city, the large harbour where cruise ships berth and many wonderful beaches. There is a tranvia system that is being extended so that it will link with Benidorm and towards the airport. The city is full of interesting museums, including one dedicated to the San Juan Hogueras held in June when the city grinds to a halt and it is practically impossible to drive through. Another museum, The Marq, is in an old reconditioned hospital and there is a permanent exhibition that displays the past of the city and province. There are several modern shopping centres, but still many old narrow streets that burst into small plazas and that have interesting shops.!
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Murcia - Garden of Spain!
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Torrevieja is on the frontier with Murcia region and its capital city of the same name is only an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive away. The region is known for its fruit and vegetable as well as the seafood.This is a magnificent city with wonderful architecture in its cathedral, public buildings and old mansions. ! As a large University City there is a very diverse entertainment programme. There are some beautiful parks, including a botanical one alongside the River Segura that splits the city in two. ! Among the many museums, a must visit is the Museum of Salzillo which houses some of the spectacular statues used in the spectacular Holy Week processions. ! It is famous for its fiestas, especially in springtime relating to the surrounding orchards and groves and the carnival with its ceremony of burying the Sardine. Several music festivals are held throughout the year including one dedicated to the Tunas music related to the students who acted as troubadours serenading diners to raise an extra coin to help with studies. !
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Cartagena - Romans v Carthaginians !
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One an hour away from Torrevieja this impressive naval city and port that dates back to the time of Carthage, hence its name. There are still many Roman sites including an amphitheatre and there
are famous battles re-enacted during the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s September festival celebrating this link with the past of ancient Rome and Carthage. ! The harbour now has a catamaran service that links the visitor with sites of the past including a huge bunker used during the Civil War 70 years ago. There are many modern shopping zones and guided tours in the old city. The first submarine is a feature of the naval museum as this huge harbour is still home to the Spanish fleet.! aormi@icloud.com
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" " Lorca - Time warp! "
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This wonderful town is still recovering from an earthquake a few years ago, but there is plenty to see and visit. It is in a commanding position and can be easily seen from the main road b e t w e e n Cartagena and Almeria. !
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A magnificent castle that is also the main part of a tourist attraction entitled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Time Workshopâ&#x20AC;?, taking visitors back to medieval battles and events dominates this hilltop town in Murcia region. It is an attractive town with dozens of old mansions each with its own coat-of-arms outlined in stone above doors. During the season a small train takes visitors around the town and up to the castle. The town is renowned for its tapestries and needlework. One of the main churches is dedicated surprisingly to Saint Patrick.!
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The Holy Week processions are unique with the two sides, the Whites and the Blues, competing for the best input to the week, but there are five cofradias altogether. There are numerous other fiestas and cultural festivals throughout the year and the tradition of beautiful lacework and needlepoint is preserved. !
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A Not So Civil War -The Stanbrook Saga " by Andy Ormiston
This is the first in a series about the Spanish civil war. This year Spain celebrates the end of the civil war 75 years ago. One striking aspect of those years is how ordinary merchant sailors bravely put their lives at risk when helping others. From the beginning of the first world war to after the end of the second one, thousands of merchant ships were sunk with a huge losses of life. It may even appear the submarine commanders were competing, rather like football teams, marking up scores of tonnage destroyed. " Two British ships that took on a cargo of salt in Torrevieja were the "Stanleigh" and the "Stanholme", the first in November 1937 the second in December 1937. The "Stanholme" on 25th December 1939 was mined and sunk off Bristol Channel; loss of 13 lives. The "Stanleigh" on the 14th March 1941 was
bombed and sunk in Irish Sea by German aircraft ; loss of 17 lives.!
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Their sister ship was the ”Stanbrook”, a coal freighter that used Alicante and Gandia ports, that arrived in Alicante at the end of March 1939 to pick up a cargo. Instead of the contracted cargo almost 3,000 people occupied every corner of the small ship, paid for by the Provincial Socialist Federation: the penultimate ship to leave the port. Under her British flag she sailed for 22 hours in a zigzag formation safely to Oran; because of these manoevres a rumour swept the ship that they were being betrayed and many of them threw documents overboard in a panic. The Captain was also apprehensive as with so many people on board the ship was overloaded and he was afraid that if they all moved to one side the ship could capsize. When they reached Oran the French authorities held up the disembarkation of the passengers, partly because they already could not cope with the previous refugees, but also because so many passengers had no identity documents. ! For a month in the intense African heat it became a hellish prison ship while decisions were made to let them land or not. This is one of the bitterest events at the end of the war for refugees, an ending that other refugees experienced in other 20th century wars. The "Stanbrook" measured 70 metres in length and only 10 metres in width, a small 1,383 tonne freighter built in Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1909. ! The elderly Welsh captain was Archibald Dickson who accepted his passengers without discernment between ideologies or nationality. There were 2,240 men, 147 children and 398 women in this last large group to leave Alicante on board the “Stanbrook”. In normal circumstances the ship would only have carried around 100 people. Many passengers had arrived just before departure and the captain could not
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resist them, personally assisting them on board. ! The list of passengers is well documented by the University of Murcia showing full names, ages, profession and nationality. This human cargo was composed of all social groups from high-ranking officers to simple soldiers, including sailors and pilots. Judges and civil servants, lawyers and teachers, writers and artists, drivers and mechanics, cobblers and seamstresses, bakers and miners; the list shows all aspects of society. There were individuals and families, most of the women being listed as housewives. Fortunately there were several doctors, nurses and veterinarians among them who helped when conditions on board became horrific, particularly with hygiene as the only toilet aboard was that used by the crew and, in general, most men sat on the ship’s rails and did their business over the side. Ninety-four of the passengers were foreigners, two-thirds Europeans and the rest Latin Americans. Most of these were non-combatants as the majority of the International Brigade had already left Spain via Barcelona. ! At eleven o’clock at night the "Stanbrook" slipped anchor in Alicante and set out for Oran. Two days later the Italian army took control of the city. The Stanbrook saga was a voyage full of tension that took 22 hours. When she was in sight of Altea, pregnant 26year old Ventura Marti Perez saw the rays of the sun bathing her home town illuminating her hopes for a new future for her and her unborn son. The first sight of Oran was the fortress of Santa Cruz and a beautifully laid out city surrounding it. It had been occupied by the Spanish for 300 years and now had independence, but still strong links with the Spanish. Between 1936 and 1939 some 25,000 refugees had arrived in the port from Spain and now they were being faced with another almost 3,000, which seemed like the last straw. Some people were allowed to leave the ship, if they could prove they were moving on to another country such as France or the United States of America. Other people were given shelter in the local jail in Calle General Ceres – these were considered to be the fortunate ones. Most were confined to the ships in the port. Those left aboard the Stanbrook remained in inhumane conditions for almost a month with little water or food. Even some of those refugees who were allowed on land found themselves incarcerated in work camps in the desert. !
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An embargo was put on the “Stanbrook” until the Oran port expenses were
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finally paid. She eventually sailed away and was reported to have been sunk by a German submarine just off the Belgian coast at Ambers on 18th November 1939. In Algerian concentration camps Spanish refugees from the “Stanbrook” held a one-minute silence in memory of this brave crew when the news filtered through of the sinking. ! The ultimate ship to leave Alicante port was the “Maritime” which slipped out of Alicante harbour in the early morning of the 29th March with only 32 passengers made up of the city’s authorities. These passengers also had problems entering the African port. On the 30th March Radio Alicante announced that Alicante city was under the orders of “el Caudillo” with the arrival of the Italian troops. ! At the same time as the “Stanbrook” departure, smaller fishing boats were leaving the coastal ports of Torrevieja, Santa Pola, El Campello and La Vila Joiosa with more refugees seeking asylum abroad. ! There is a movement to erect a monument in Alicante’s port area dedicated to the disastrous flight of Republicans and their subsequent ill treatment and over 15,000 people had signed a request for this to happen at the end of March 2008 when over 700 demonstrators marched in their memory to the harbour. One year later an international seminar was held in Alicante in homage to Captain Archie Dickson and his crew of the “Stanbrook”. ! The Captain’s two children, Arnold and Dorothy, were 5 and 3 years of age when their father died, but knew little of how much esteem and respect he has earned from
Oran was a destination for thousands of Spanish refugees
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Spanish Republican survivors, some of whom they met on 29th March in a homage to the actions of Captain Dickson and his crew seventy years earlier. Each year there is an homage to the captain and crew of the "Stanbrook" in Alicante and there is a street Canarias heavy cruiser designed in UK, but built in Spain, dedicated to their blocked Alicante harbour bravery.! Alicante was the last bastion of the ill-fated Second Republic during the last days of March 1939. Thousands of women and children joined an estimated fifteen thousand Republican soldiers who marched on Alicante hoping to get on board a ship to take them to safety, but the “Canarias” warship and several Italian submarines prevented this or most of them. Full of fear and frustration, hordes of refugees and Republican soldiers could see ships of the France Navigation Company on the horizon; a company that had worked closely with the Republic and probably was financed by the Republic government. It is estimated by some sources that between 12,000 and 15,000 people were packed on the quayside, although other reports place the figure as high as 36,000. It was a time of great tension for them and many people committed suicide rather than fall into Nationalist hands. The number is unknown, but some sources consider that Francoists executed some of these “suicides”. This was the end of the Second Republic.! The Italian Littorio division arrived at the quay with trucks: these were the same Italian troops that Mussolini had sent to invade Abyssinia in 1935. This time, without firing a shot, because there was no resistance; they encircled the Republicans and separated them, the men were forced into the bullring. The women and children were put into local cinemas, then housed in a former prison where they had to work in the black market to survive. One republican said that the Italians treated them correctly during the 11 days there. Three officials then individually questioned the men and many received a paper entitling them to pass over the border at Pou Bou into France, but a majority ended up in the los Almendros concentration camp or served long prison sentences as slave labour. See article and paonting on Henry Moore.! Adolfo Lucas Reguilón was a communist who intended fleeing the country from Alicante by ship, but gave his place up to a pregnant woman. He was arrested and tried, sentenced to forty years imprisonment, but actually only served four years until released. He joined other former comrades, changed his name to "Severo Eubel de la Paz", then used guerrilla tactics in Avila against the Nationalist conquerors. He was detained in 1956 in Foz, Galicia, where he was a teacher for several years, and once again tried and sentenced to thirty years in prison, released on conditional liberty in 1972. Possibly the ship he was due to board was the SS Stanbrook.!
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Some Cultural Events in May: 1 -3 May Pensioners Fair in Ocio Centre with workshops, La Sal carnival girls, dances, exhibitions of crafts, hairdressing,, makeup, manicure, yoga, taichi, fashion file, Soul Dance, Health programmes and advice available for pensioners, spas, volunteer help, teleassistance, vacation offers, sports, new technologies, grants, medicines among many other interesting events.!
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1. - “Sleeping Beauty” ballet 19:00h - Teatro Municipal 30 euros or 25 Euros! 1. – 11th. Exposition of Municipal Photographic School work in Virgen del Carmen CC! 2. - VI Anniversary Assoc. Cabo Verdiana de Torrevieja 16:00h in Virgen del Carmen CC! 2. - Elche Symphony Orchestra 21:00h Auditorium Torrevieja 15/10/8/6 Euros! 2. - IV Copla Competition – Teatro Municipal 21:00h gratis con invite (check ticket office)! 3. - IV Copla Competition 21:00h gratis con invite (check ticket office)! 4. – 12:00h – Teatro Municipal – Recital of poetic music for Dia del Libro ‘Eres Tu’ dedicated to mothers.! 4. – 17:00h and 19:30h Musical ‘’Fama a Clase’ CC Virgen del Carmen CC .! 4. – 20:00h Mariachi Festival Teatro Municipal – 7 Euros! 9. – European Day Plaza de la Constitucion 11:00 gratis! 10. – 20:00 European Day Concert – Palace of Music – Cantabile Choir, ! 10. – 22:00 The Diary of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain, Spanish Theatre Municipal, 18euros or 14 euros.! 10. – 18. Painting exhibition of Luis Miguel Gutierrez in Casino! 11.- Theatre Municipal – 19:00 ‘La Rosa y el Viento’ benefit of Semana Santa fiestas!
Derek Francis
Cantabile Choir
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13. – Coastrider Music Awards 2014 – Virgen del Carmen CC 6 euros. ! 13. – 25. Municipal School Painting exhibition in Virgen del Carmen CC.! 14 – 17- May Fair daily in the Fairground port area.! 15. – San Isidro Gala of Madrid in Virgen del Carmen CC at 21:00 price 5 euros! 16. – May Fair at 23:00 Homage to Lolita Sevilla who died recently.! 17. – 12:00 End of term Concert by Municipal Chorale School. Palace of Music! 17. – San Isidro Verbena in Jardin de Doña Snforosa at 18:00.! 18. – San Isidro Festival in Virgen del Carmen CC Casa Regional Madrid choir 3 euros! 18. – Teatro Municipal 21:30 humour of David Guapo 18 and 15 euros.! 24. – Concert Coral Nueva Generacion in Virgen del Carmen CC. 2 euros! 24. – Springtime Concert of tenor Derek Francis in Palace of Music at 20:00 5 euros.! 24: - Remembering Niño Bravo at 22:00 in Teatro Municpal 10 euros.! 25. - 19:00 Concert Coral Bella Antonio in Palace of Music 3 euros.! 25. – Extraordinary Mother Day Concert in Teatro Municipal at 20:00 by Union Musical Torrevejenses 5 euros. ! 28. – Teatro Infantil – The Magical World of Oz. Teatro Municipal 10:00 price 4 euros.! 28. – Virgen del Carmen CC – Municipal Schools Gala 17:30 – 21:30 see the work of these schools.! 29. – 20:00 Teatro Municipal Conservatories Interchange – Almoradi, Orihuela, San Vicente del Raspeig and Torrevieja. ! 30. – Recital Lirical by Noelia Perez and Santiago Sanchez in aid of Alzheimers AFA Palace of Music 5 euros.! 31. – 20:45 Manuel Barbera Choir, Torrelamata Church! 31. – 21:00 ASIMEPP Gala in Virgen del Carmen CC 5 euros.! 31. – 21:30 Musical “La Decada Prodigiosa, Eres Tu” Tearto Municipal 12 Euros and 15 Euros. ! Note: 1st April to 26 June Youngsters have conversations in English with volunteers in CIAJ centre near Burger King. !
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Those who love flamenco music and dance have a treat in store on 1st June in Torrevieja Teatro Municipal with an EXPLOSION of colour, live music and beautiful dancing of the Jay Marwick Flamenco Company.!
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The Best of Times is Now
Once again a summer treat from the tireless RASCALS who are performing in three venues in May and later in June. This musical revue features well known magnificent hits from London's West End and Broadway shows - Cats, Bugsy Malone, Chicago, Oliver and a touch of the Blues Brothers. Great music and sexy dancing.!
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The School of Culture and Music Theatre Los Montesinos! Wednesday & Thursday May 7th & 8th!
" Casa de Cultura Guardamar Thursday May 29th! " Virgen Del Carmen Torrevieja Sunday June 15th! Curtain 7-30 All Performances! Tickets 6 Euros Ticket Hot Line 96 678 4874!
Anyone ready for a fun day around a Green Route in aid of Alzheimers Association. Walk or run and help someone.
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Henry Moore in Spain
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! ‘In the human figure one can express more completely one’s feelings about the world than in any other way'!
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! Its got to be just over 30 years ago when I first encountered Henry Moore sculptures in Hyde Park around this time of year as there were daffodils all around and it sticks in my mind. They were great for the kids to play around, although that was not their design. Just now there is a touring exhibition of some of his works going round Spain and is in Valencia from 27 Mar - 7 May 2014 Valencia (Plaza del Ayuntamiento) and then from 20 May - 17 July 2014 Bilbao (Parque de Doña Casilda de Iturriza ). Both places can be reached from Torrevieja, Bilbao-Torrevieja has a nightly bus service and is a great city to visit with the Guggenheim Museum among attractions.!
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! Henry Moore (1898-1986) was one of the 20th century’s great sculptors and after the Second World War he became one of Britain’s most well known artists, both at home and abroad. He was influenced by European Modernism and developed an abstract sculptural language, combining the human figure, particularly the female figure, with references to organic forms such as shells, pebbles and bones. Throughout his career, he focused on the subjects of the mother and child, the reclining figure and the head. But having been a soldier in WWI and gassed he was a staunch antiwar activist and the news coming out of Spain at the end of the civil war made him do a poster Spanish Prisoners to raise awareness and money for the plight of the Spanish refugees detained in camps in France.! In the 1930's he became actively engaged in the political issues of the time, supporting the ! Republican cause during the Spanish Civil War. He was a member of the Artists International Association whose aim was the ‘unity of artists against Fascism and war and the suppression of culture’. ! Moore's only visit to Spain was in the summer of 1934, on a motoring holiday with his wife ! Irina and two close friends. They entered the country from France at Pamplona and took the coastal road to the Altamira caves, which Moore described as the 'Royal Academy of Cave Painting'. Afterwards, they visited Madrid, Toledo and Vich. Though Moore never returned to Spain, it and its art continued to hold a special significance for him for the rest of his life. Never in his career was he more vocal about politics, and his sympathy for the plight of the Spanish people was reinforced by a visit to Pablo Picasso's studio in 1937, where he saw Guernica in progress.! When war broke out in September 1939, he became increasingly aware of the plight of civilians and started m a k i n g sketches of Londoners sheltering from G e r m a n bombing in the Underground. The drawings came to the attention of his
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friend, Kenneth Clark, chair of the War Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advisory Committee (WAAC) which purchased a number and later employed him as an official war artist. In a bid to bolster public moral, the Shelter drawings were displayed at the National Gallery in London where they were seen by many as an expression of the common tragedy of war.! The Spanish tour has already visited several Spanish cities with works selected by Anita Feldman, Head of Collections and Exhibitions of The Henry Moore Foundation, the exhibition includes seven monumental bronzes created by Moore at the peak of his career, between 1960 and 1982. These seven sculptures are representative of key motifs in! Moore's work: the fascination with the reclining figure and the 'mother and child' themes; the exploration of the relationship of the human figure with the landscape, both urban and rural; the tension between naturalism and abstraction; the transformation of natural objects into sculptural forms.!
9th May Europe Day in plaza Constitucion Now an annual event, the 9th May is a dedicated celebration in Torrevieja with several events. These include a flag raising ceremony with complementary speeches in the main plaza, plus various musical and dance acts
reflecting some of the countries that now make up the European Union. !
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There is also the annual International Petanca competitions with teams from several countries competing.
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