On Saturday, June 9 at 7:00 pm, the Grand Parade (Gran Desfile) of Moros and Cristianos of Vera will take place in honor of the Patrona Ntra. Sra. La Santísima Virgen de las Angustias de Vera. As every year we will also have the Route of the Moros and Cristianos Campamentos, a Pyromusical show in the Plaza Mayor at the end of the Parade at 22.00, and this year we have several novelties, such as the Living Chess in the Plaza de la Verja on Thursday 7th. June, where the children of the four schools of Vera will participate
Culture
Fiesta Nacional de España.
Spain’s National Day celebrates Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas on 12 October 1492.
King Ferdinand of Spain sponsored the expedition west in the hopes of sailing to India. In August of 1492, Columbus set off into the Atlantic; two months later he would set foot on the Bahamas, establish settlements on Hispaniola Island and spread Christianity to the New World. Upon his return to Spain, he spoke of gold and riches and thus the Americas were opened up for European colonisation.
This day is a holiday in many countries, but it’s known under other names. October 12 is widely celebrated throughout Americas as Columbus Day (in the USA) or Día de la Raza (in the countries of Latin America).
The Spaniards began celebrating National Day in 1935 as Dia de la Hispanidad, that emphasized their connection to international Hispanic community, the Hispanidad. The name of the holiday was changed in 1987 to Fiesta Nacional. The holiday became one of the two major Spanish national celebrations. The date of National Day had been moved for several times, until a compromise was achieved.
Between Franco’s death in 1975 and 1981, October 12 celebrations remained very much attached to Francoist and imperialist values. King Juan Carlos’s solemn speeches to mark the day repeatedly painted Spain as a civilising force in South America.
But by the 1980s, a redefinition of October 12 was needed. There was a push for it to be used to renovate the old idea of a “Spanish nation”, despite the fact that the nation was comprised of a multitude of culturally differentiated populations, blended uncomfortably into the new democratic consensus.
The different historical nations within Spain (Galicia, the Basque Country and Catalonia) had, by 1981, declared their own respective national days. Catalonia even declared October 12 a normal working day in its territory. What’s more, the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) wanted to celebrate Spain’s national day on the December 6 instead of in October, as this was the day when the constitution of 1978 had been passed by referendum.
Since Oct 12th 2000 it has also been celebrated as a military day with parades of the armed forces.
Anti-colonial and anti-fascist protests are held every year in Bilbao and Barcelona, partly to counteract the rallies of Spanish ultra-right groups arriving from outside these cities on the national date, we hope it all passes off peacefully in Catalonia.
I imagine something will occur in Vera but it is not being publicised as far as i can see, but it’s a holiday and the weather is still fantastic. Enjoy!
Carrera de Cintas In Vera
On September 17th, at 17:30 h., On La Plata Street, a Race of Ribbons for ADULTS will take place.
Women interested in getting a ribbon to embroider or paint it and participate, can do so contacting through the Commission of Celebrations, from September 1st. More information at the Tourist Office. It will be a fun afternoon!
The carrera de cintas, or belt race, is a traditional sport often played during the feria patronal in Spain and Latin America. In the carrera de cintas, short belts with loops on one end are hung from a wire suspended between two posts. Contestants, who may be on either horses or bicycles, ride towards the wire and attempt to capture a belt by putting a peg through the loop. Traditionally, the belts are given to a group of women who then award prizes. The origin of the sport is not known.
I couldn’t find a video from Vera but this gives an idea of the fun to expect.
Vera Fiesta 2017
VERA FAIR AND FESTIVALS IN HONOR OF SAN CLEOFÁS 2017, 21 to 25 September.
The annual fiesta and a promise of late nights starts on 21st September with one of the highlights for some people being the bullfights.
More information regarding the bullfight.
Reservation of tickets and more information can be obtained on the following telephone numbers: 676 385 583 – 650 275 262, and on the website: www.grupovientobravo.es
Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady Virgen de las Huertas. In Vera.
The first weekend in September is marked on the calendars of Vera´s people. Tradition dictates that they join a pilgrimage to honor the Virgen de las Huertas (Virgin of the orchards). The shrine is a simple building of local architectural tradition dating back to the sixteenth century.
Given that the patron saint of Vera is the Virgen de las Angustias (Virgin of Sorrows), this is not a major celebration. However, devotion brings neighbors to the shrine located on the outskirts of the town year after year. The pilgrimage is held to pay homage to the people of Lorca who assisted Vera´s population when the town was besieged by the Moorish king Aben Humeya in 1569.
In fact, the city of Lorca did not have to intervene. The Moorish king turned back when he heard relief was on its way shortly after the attack on Vera’s walls had already begun. Thus began the memory and gratitude towards the patron of Lorca.
The celebration is marked by parades of horse drawn carriages that are colourfully decorated flowers and it wouldn’t be Spain without some loud music and dancing. The parade passes the local roads and reaches it’s destination at the Heritage. There the party will continue with Flamenco dancing music and fireworks until late in the night.
On Sunday it will all start again and will include a large Paella and a Children’s Piñatas Contest. There are some links and a google translation of the programme below. Sounds like fun!
ROMERIA VIRGEN DE LAS HUERTAS 2017 PROGRAM OF ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY 2
17:00 h. Begin the journey from La Legua through the usual roads, with all those floats and horses that want to accompany to the hermitage to snack.
9:30 p.m. Performance of the Flamenco Dance Academy “Las Chibancas”
10:30 p.m. Fiesta with the performance of “Ensía de Almería”
00:00 h. Great Musical Piro Show.
SUNDAY 3
11:30 a.m. “Pilgrimage of the Virgin of the Huertas” from its hermitage to make the habitual route.
We want to encourage everyone to participate in our Pilgrimage, dressing in the typical costumes, as well as decorating floats and vehicles without missing horses and riders to give a great color and splendor.
The Queens and Ladies of Honor for children and youth 2016 paraded in a chariot adorned for the occasion, accompanying our Virgin of the Huertas.
2:00 p.m. Arrival of the Romería to the Hermitage and we will be able to taste a paella.
5:30 p.m. Awarding of prizes of the Children’s Piñatas Contest, we encourage all the children to present their original piñata.
6:45 p.m. Performance of the flamenco group “Virgen de las Huertas”
7:30 p.m. Holy Mass officiated by our parish priest D. Carlos Fortes García, accompanied by the Choir of the Fraternity of Our Lady of Rocio de Garrucha.
Then, as is traditional, the Raffle will be held in honor of Our Lady of the Huertas several prizes that will be displayed at the entrance of the hermitage.
To end the party we will have the live music performance of “El Bartolico”
Here you can see some photos and videos of previous years.
A map of the location, click at the top right to enlarge.
We Love Queen
Queen Tribute Act Like You’ve Never Seen Before.
The Plaza de Torres in Vera will host the tribute show “We Love Queen” from 22.00 on 19th August. It promises to be a spectacular celebration in Dance and Music of the popular band.
It’s Dixie Time
Jazz By The Beach.
This Friday 17th August at 22.30 The Dixieland Clasijazz Band will be performing at Plaza Pérgola. Paseo Marítimo de Vera. Just along from Chiringuito El Playazo near Garrucha’s Mercadona.
La Vuelta 2017 Lorca / Observatorio Astronómico de Calar Alto
August 30th 2017:
The annual cycling tour is passing though here for the first time in a few years, why not give them all a cheer and then nip into a bar for lunch.
The cyclists leave Lorca at 12.30 and pass through San Juan de los Terreros about an hour later. It passes Garrucha at around 14:00 and then climbs up to Mojacar pueblo and through Turre at around 14.30 so plenty of chances to see them.
This map shows the expected route as displayed on www.cyclingstage.com
Sweet California Come To Vera
Sweet California are a popular female Spanish band and they will perform in the Bullring on Saturday.
Formed by Sonia Gómez, Alba Reig and Tamy Nsue. They have achieved success thanks to the albums “Break of Day”, “Head for the stars” , with which they were awarded discs of gold and platinum in Spain, with their last album “3” again set to break records of sales they will tour throughout 2017. Sweet California have more than 300,000 followers on Twitter and 500,000 on Facebook , plus more than 85 million views of videos on Youtube . Sweet California’s songs on Spotify have been heard by more than 390,000 people.
Enjoy singing along with Sweet California to the songs that you know by heart, “Vuelves”, “Hum”, “Good life”, “Empire” and many more. Do not miss out on the chance to enjoy Sweet California in concert, on a night you will never forget. The popularity and affection Sweet California are receiving is growing all the time, both in Spain and Latin America, where they will arrive in 2017 with the “Ladies tour” . They are in great form and they have already obtained Platinum Discs, with more than 100,000 discs sold, as well as MTV Awards and Prizes Los 40 . Now they are coming to the city … Come on!
Prices: There is a single price for the Vera concert, € 21 (General). Tickets for the Sweet California concert in Vera are available on the RedEntradas.com website and on the phone 958 10 81 81 (Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.). Also on the official website of Sweet California.
You can catch a taste of them here if you can not wait until 22.00 on Saturday.
Flamenco in Vera
Second Flamenco Festival In Vera.
On Friday 11th August Pastora Galván will perform in El Palmoral in Vera. Daughter of José Galván , she studied Flameco at the Seville dance school between 1990 and 1998, during which time she began her first professional work. She has performed all over Latin America, USA and Europe with the Company of Israel Galvan, her brother. It should be quite a night, it starts at 22.30, don’t be late.
The following night Saturday 12th August sees a Flamenco singing and dancing recital by “Entre Carrillos y Carretas”. Sung by Cristo Heredia, Edu Garcia, and Antonio García, guitarist Antonio Luis López and Eduardo Aguilera, Percussion Moi Santiago, Mariángeles Carrillo, Mariángeles Hernandez, Carmen and Alba Segura. Support is provided by the students of the School of Flamenco de Andalucía of Vera.
Both of the events are free and are sure to be well attended.