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Vol 2 Edition 11 April 2002
Costa Blanca Netguide Newsletter
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com
This newsletter is only sent to subscribers
CONTENTS:
1) The Fallas - Valencia
2) A Short History of the Classical Guitar
3) New Businesses on the Guide
4) Sticker Information
5) 2002 Publishing Dates
6) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
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Hi,
Well this month we have a excellent review of "The Fallas" in
Valencia, one I'm sure you'll find very interesting. We also have
a "Short History of the Classical Guitar" continuing our theme
of recent months.
Spring Cleaning is the order of the day on the website. We have
uploaded back issues of the newsletter to the site and they can
now be read on-line directly from the front page. We have also
spruced up a few graphics and updated various scripts and code.
We are currently looking for guest articles to feature in future
editions of this newsletter. They can be reviews of any
interesting places you have visited around the Costa Blanca,
museums, castles, local fiestas etc. So if you fancy seeing
your name in lights (well text actually) then email your drafts
to editor@costablanca-netguide.com and we'll try to include them
in later editions. Any article we do feature will receive a free
copy of the Costa Blanca Netguide Screensaver as our way of
saying thanks.
Until Next Month
Robin
Editor - Costa Blanca Netguide.
editor@costablanca-netguide.com
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1) THE FALLAS - VALENCIA
After almost a year of preparations there begins two weeks of
various celebrations,.Valencia overflows with gaiety, energy and
fireworks during the celebration of its Major Festival: the
Fallas. This regional capital by the Mediterranean coast near
the mouth of the river Turia celebrates in tremendous style, one
of the best known and emblematic festivals of Spain, as well
known as the San Fermin festival in Pamplona.
Fallas portray scathing, critical and often humorous effigies of
important events, both Nationally and Internationally. The
Fallas, from 13th to 19th of March, are creations of paper mache,
wood and wax, which the Valencians, divided into different groups
according to quarters or barrios and even
streets, staged in the streets and burnt on the night of the
feast of St. Joseph. These figures, called "ninots" by the
Valencians, portray events and personalities of the day. The
ninots, half satirical, half symbolical, are created in a style
somewhere between comic strips and Walt Disney cartoons. The
figures, which represents a whole year's work for hundreds of
people, are burnt on the night of March 19th in towering flames,
and each bonfire is a temple devoted to this colossal festival of
fire.
The Fallas are divided into seven important stages. Public
enthusiasm ensures that Valencia is adorned in festival garb and
everybody takes to the streets. The ceremonies which make up the
whole week of the festival are: the nomination and proclamation
of the Queens of the Fallas for the year, the Exaltation, the
Crida, the Cavalcade of the Ninot the Offering of Flowers, the
Planta and the Crema.
The "Mascletá" is the noisiest act of the whole Fallas
celebration. Rows of and single firecrackers (by the thousands),
make Valencia the most deafening place in the world to be!!
The Exaltation is, with the Offering of Flowers, one of the most
colourful moments of the Fallas. In this ceremony, Valencians and
the various institutions pay homage to the Falla Queens who
receive their sashes and jewels of office in the Palau de la
Musica. As the Attendant Courts of the Falla Queen and the Falla
Princess go up to the stage, the place begins to be filled with
baskets of flowers donated by Valencian and a few Spanish
collectives. One of the most important figures at the Exaltation
is the chairman, who represents the world of culture and makes a
speech to all those present which can be of a justificatory or
political nature or poetic.
The Offering of Flowers to Our Lady of the Foresaken is the
ceremony for which Valencia is entirely dressed in its best and
renders homage at the feet of her patron saint, offering
thousands of bouquets of flowers, baskets of posies and floral
shrine arrangements. During the twenty-four hours which the
Offering lasts, the Virgin, fondly referred to by the Valencians
as "Geperudeta", receives her tribute. On this day, the sobriquet
of Valencia, city of flowers becomes reality, and the Basilica
square is turned into a beautiful and colorful garden, with more
than thirty tons of flowers decorating just one of the principal
squares of the city.
The "Planta" is the ceremony which everyone awaits with
impatience. On 15 March the paper mache effigies are assembled,
not without a considerable struggle, in the squares and streets
of Valencia. Hundreds of these Fallas invade the city, as many as
there are houses to make them. On this day the creations of the
"fallero" artists are displayed, the work of hundreds of
specialists: carpenters, painters, sculptors, designers, etc. The
effigies and ninots are admired by all, Valencians and tourists.
The Fallas show off their lively colors and enormous size, and
make clear which personalities have been the focus of public
opinion and attention. There are few Spanish politicians who
escape from the satire of the "fallero" masters.
The Crema is the culmination of the Fallas. For some it is the
saddest moment, while for others it is the high point of the
festival. On the night of the feast of St. Joseph, 19 March, the
Fallas are lit. The last effigies to be devoured by the flames
are those Fallas that have been awarded prizes by the Genrakl
Fallas Committee and those in the City Hall square. Only one
"ninot" is saved each year, from the flames by popular vote, and
exhibited in the Museum of the Ninot together with those from
various years which won the same privilege. Kilos and kilos of
fireworks surround the monuments. At about midnight Valencia goes
up in flames. The spectacle of the fire and noise, produced by
more than three hundred fires spread throughout the city, is
quite something to see!
Researched and Written by Suzanna
info.es@costablanca-netguide.com
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2) A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CLASSICAL GUITAR
The classical guitar is traced back to an ancient instrument from
Greece called the "Kittara". Of course the logical explanation of
any development, the lute, harp, guitar etc is the initial sound
many hundreds of years ago of the sound of an arrow leaving a
bow. If the bow were short the sound would be higher than a
longer bow.
When the Moors had invaded Spain they brought with them the
"Vihuela". This was the predecessor of the lute. At this time
there was no standard tuning so all of the wandering minstrels
had their own songs and in many different forms of rendition. At
this point in England the great lutenist John Dowland more or
less standardised a tuning, albeit the third string was tuned to
F Sharp, not as it is today G Natural. We then progress through
Dowland to William Byrd quite gently to the end of the 1800's to
Carcassi and the huge step toward Fernando Sor and from then the
turn of the 20th Century with the great composer Fransisco
Tarrega. Through all of these periods lutiers were developing the
instrument even Stradivarius some years earlier made mandolins.
Paginini the great violinist played the guitar.
We now arrive at the great albeit little known Torres. This man
with experimentation in the width of the fretboard (2 1/4") and
the internal fan strutting gave us the guitar that we have today.
And the likes of Miguel LLobet, Andrés Segovia, Julian Bream and
John Williams are proof of this romantic musical legacy.
Researched and Written by John Anthony
johnanthonyguitar@hotmail.com
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If you know someone who may benefit from any of the articles in
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PLEASE NOTE: These articles are for personal use only and may not
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3) New Businesses on the Guide
i) Charming Casita
A charming casita within the grounds of a private villa.
Standing on the flat with outstanding views over the Jalon Valley
reknowned for its grape vines and wine. Ideally suited for the
outdoors, a walkers paradise.
Find them in the CBNG directory under Accomodation to Let (Private)
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/listings/234.html
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ii) Jalon Bed and Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast within a large traditional Spanish townhouse
located in the centre of Jalon village. Ideal for mountain walks
and people viewing property in the area who just want a base.
Continental breakfast served each day…we are next to the village
bakery! And during the warm months enjoy your breakfast in the
internal patio.
Find them in the CBNG directory under Accomodation to Let (Private)
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/listings/235.html
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iii) Preview Properties
Preview Properties is dedicated to selling you, not just a villa,
but also the Spanish lifestyle here on the Costa Blanca.
We committedly endeavour to work to your personal specifications
rather than working to hit our financial targets. We work towards
making buying a property on the Costa Blanca a painless and an
enjoyable experience.
Find them in the CBNG directory under Property Sales & Rentals
http://www.costablanca-netguide.com/listings/236.html
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4) Sticker Information
We have available our Costa Blanca Netguide car or shop window
stickers that we will send out to you free of charge.
Just email stickers@costablanca-netguide.com with your name and
postal address and how many you require (3 Max) and we'll post
them out to you anywhere in Europe FREE.
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5) 2002 Publishing Dates
6th May - 3rd June - 8th July - 5th August
- 2nd September 7th October - 4th November - 2nd December.
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