ANDALUCIA TOURISM NEWS – AUGUST 29 2002

THE SEVILLE BIENAL DE FLAMENCO
The 12th edition of the Bienal de Flamenco, which will be held in Seville between September 3 and October 6, will this year see a record number of performances – 90, of which 21 are absolute first nights. Also for the first time, a week of Flamenco Cinema is incorporated and a theatrical comedy also. Some of the artists to show their new works in the Bienal are, Eva la Yerbabuena, Israel Galván, Antonio Canales, Tomatito, Sara baras, Cristina Hoyos and Manolo Sanlúcar who will offer a new concert adaptation of 'Medea'. This event, considered to be the largest flamenco festival in the world as it incorporates both the classic and the vanguard, will take place on 9 different stages in Sevilla, as well as in small interior patios of different buildings in the city, in flamenco clubs and in public parks. This year some 100,000 spectators are expected to attend, 17,000 more than at the last edition. They can see shows such as the Andalucian Dance Company with 'La Leyenda', and first performances such as 'Mariana Pineda' from Sara Baras, 'Tierra Adentro' from the Cristina Hoyos ballet, and 'Flamenco Picassiano' by Juan Manuel Cañizares. The Bienal de Flamenco will also coincide for the first time with the second World Flamenco Fair which is also being held in Seville between October 3 and 6.

AJOBLANCO FIESTA
The first Saturday in September sees the Ajoblanco fiesta in the Málaga village of Almáchar. This year, on September 7, more than 3,500 litres of this cold soup, the origins of which date back to the Arab times, will be given out. Ajoblanco is a drink which is taken cold and which is made from almonds, garlic, breadcrumbs, olive oil, vinegar and salt. It's often accompanied with local grapes to give a contrast to the taste. In this fiesta, of National Tourist Interest in Andalucía, the sweet local wine and raisins are also handed out. Verdiales musical groups will also animate the streets of the village until nightfall, when the 'Night of the Candles' takes place – a fiesta full of Ajoblanco, Sangría, Sardines, and popular games and songs.

CASCAMORRAS 2002
The towns of Guadix and Baza, inland in the province of Granada, celebrate every September, and this year on the 9th, one of their most famous and deeply rooted fiestas. It's the celebration of the Cascamorras fiesta when Guadix sends a person to Baza to recover the Virgen de la Piedad. There they await him, and prevent the capture, covering him in water and paint. The next day the youngster returns to Guadix where the locals chase him for not bringing back the statue of the virgin. This tradition, which dates back to the 15th century, is declared to be of National Tourist Interest by the Andalucian Tourism Board. One of the most spectacular and traditional fiestas in Granada province and one which attracts a crowd of visitors each year – it's well worth witnessing.

RONDA FIESTAS 2002
The town of Ronda, in Málaga province is a town full of monuments like no other. Declared a National Monument, it is a bullfighting and bandit town. It also has many displays of its Jewish, Muslim and Christian past. But between September 2 and 8, Ronda dresses up to celebrate its famous fiestas which include the renamed Goya-esca Bullfights – an internationally known festival which has been held since 1954 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Ronda matador Pedro Romero, forerunner of bullfighting on foot. The Ronda fiestas also play host to a singing festival, a folklore gala, and a spectacular carriages competition. An occasion to spend a week and contemplate all the joys in a town such as Ronda, and at the same time enjoy the splendid Goya-esque bullfight in one of the oldest bullrings still in existence and which is also the 3rd most visited monument in Andalucía.

GALAROZA SMALL JUGS FIESTA
The Aracena and Picos de Aroche Nature Park, in the inland part of Huelva province, is the home of small and beautiful villages where we can enjoy unbeatable landscapes and where tranquillity rules. One of these villages is Galaroza, where every September 6, the fiesta of Los Jarritos, or small jugs is held – a water fight which attracts a large number of visitors each year. And that's because water is the most important thing in the life of this part of the sierra, thanks to the more than 40 springs which supply the village and its 20 fountains. The Fiesta de Los Jarritos, commemorates the tradition of the old potters from Extremadura who displayed their works in the village square. The celebration started as a game between youngsters and children who soaked each other with the jets from earthenware jugs, refilled with the water from the fountains. A chance to enjoy a fun fiesta and to get to know one delight of the Huelva sierra.

III AUTUMN FESTIVAL IN JAÉN
September 11th sees the start of the 3rd edition of the Jáen Autumn Festival. From that date and until December, Jaén will play host to a complete cultural programme where dance, music and theatre will shine in the hands of the top names. A festival where Classical Music, with grand orchestras such as the Spanish national or the Lithuanian National Symphony, has its place along with flamenco or popular singers such as Raimundo Amador or Juan Manuel Serrat, The stages will set up across the city and include auditoriums, theatres, the university and even the actual streets of the city. 37 performances in total, among which the Day of the Music on September 21st is outstanding, as are several parallel activities such as photographic and painting exhibitions. All the shows cost 30 € or less and many of them have free admittance.

JEREZ EQUESTRIAN GAMES
The Cádiz province town of Jerez de la Frontera, is already getting ready to become the horse world capital. Between September 10 – 22, the town will host the World Equestrian Games which will bring together the best horses, jockeys and representatives from the International horse world, in an event which is being held in Spain for the very first time. The Games open on the night of September 10th with the opening ceremony, followed by the celebration of the different disciplines which make up the championships, such as show jumping, classic dressage, carriages and endurance tests. The Jerez 2002 commercial area, which will open its doors on the same day as the championships, occupies an area of 16,000 square metres and will play host to 180 modules. Companies from five continents have confirmed their attendance at the event. The town is already well known for the beauty of its Jerez horses and the love of the local residents for all that related to the equestrian world. The celebration of these world games will serve to increase, even further if possible, the interest in horse related activities in Spain and encourage the promotion of the equestrian sports.

ALÁJAR ROMERÍA
The romerías or pilgrimages are the happiest fiestas to be held in Andalucía. And if we also contemplate the spectacular landscapes where they are held, such as in the village of Alájar in the Aracena and Picos de Aroche Nature Park in Huelva, they become an unforgettable experience. Every September 8th this village celebrates the Romería de la Reina de los Ángeles, the patron of the village, and one where the whole village takes part and which is attended by brotherhoods from several villages. The pilgrims cover a steep path from the village to reach what is known as the Peña de Arias Montano, where the sanctuary of the virgin is found and from where we can contemplate impressive views over Alájar. The fervour, the tradition and the merriment of a romeria which, every September 8, converts this small and beautiful village of inland Huelva province, into a fiesta in honour of their patron – la Reina de los Ángeles – the queen of the angels.