Events
Belenes
Dec 15th
While in Britain we tend to go in for nativity plays – where primary school children act out the events surrounding the birth of Jesus to the delight of their proud/embarrassed parents –in Spain there is a long tradition of impressive nativity scenes or belenes.
Once again this year Valencia Cathedral has a popular (people queue to see it) and suitably large belén, made up of over 2,600 pieces. It’ll be on show from December 2 until January 6 and it’s free to get in.
You can find opening times on the website of the Cathedral: http://www.catedraldevalencia.es/
If you’d like to make a trip out of the city centre, I’d highly recommend a trip to El Belén de Roca (near Meliana). For eighteen years a local family (and their friends) have been making and displaying the nativity scene in their own home. Taking up more than 50 square metres of space, the construction is made even more spectacular by the many moving parts, including a flowing river.
To find out how to get there and for more info:
Advent Calendars
Dec 14th
There’s nothing that quite says Christmas like eating sweets before breakfast. And maybe that’s why I love advent calendars. Of course you can opt for one with pictures behind the dated doors, but I prefer the chocolate dispensing variety.
If you haven’t got an advent calendar at home, the internet gives you the chance to join in the festive fun for free. For everything related to advent calendars:
Elx Medieval Festival
Oct 28th
For those of you who fancy venturing outside the city this week, why not visit the annual medieval festival in Elche (or Elx if you prefer the official Valencian name).
Elche is in Alicante, a couple of hours’ drive south of Valencia capital. Among the sights in the third biggest town in the Valencia Region is the Palm Grove (El Palmeral de Elche) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The medieval festival offers a full program of events, concerts, displays, etc.
For more about the festival including the full program and information about how to get there:
http://festivalmedieval.com/
For more information about Elche: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elche
Tennis anyone? Valencia Open 500
Sep 9th
The bad news: all the tickets for the semi-finals and the finals of the Valencia Open 500 on the 7 and 8 November have already sold out.
The good news: those of us without the luck or money to get a ticket can watch the action free on a big screen that will be installed at the City of Arts and Sciences complex.
The tournament runs from the 31 October – 7 November and there’s plenty of international interest with players such as Andy Roddick (GB), Andy Roddick (USA) and 3 of Spain’s best players Ferrer, Ferrero and Verdasco all on the bill.
The competition website is in English, Spanish and Valencian: http://www.valenciaopen500.com/