Valencia celebrates the Day of the Valencian Community

Valencians are preparing to celebrate the Day of the Valencian Community (Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana), which is traditionally celebrated on October 9. It commemorates the conquest of the city by King James I of Aragon in 1238 and the creation of the Kingdom of Valencia. 

Events in honor of the main holiday of the region began on October 5. On Saturday, the Som de la Terreta music festival took place in Valencia, Alicante and Villarreal. It was organized by the Generalitat de Valencia to highlight the music, culture and gastronomy of the region. In the morning there were numerous children’s activities, and from 16:00 the concerts began, which lasted until late at night.

If you didn’t have time to visit Som de la Terreta, don’t feel bad, because there is still much more to come. From October 5 to 12 in the Turia Garden is open a large medieval market «Mercado Medieval Balconet. Oficios de antaño». Here an authentic medieval village has been recreated and visitors will be able to see how the townspeople lived in the time of James I. The main theme of the fair will be traditional crafts. Everyone will have the opportunity not only to appreciate the skills of craftsmen, but also to take part in master classes. In addition, the guests of Mercado Medieval await medieval tournaments, children’s attractions, musical performances, exhibitions, a visit to a medieval camp and a historical reconstruction of the entry of James I in Valencia.

As is tradition, from October 1 to 7, the Palacio Generalitat Valencia opens its doors to the public. It will be free to visit from 11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 19:00.

In honor of Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana, the Valencia Municipal Symphony Orchestra will hold a free concert at the Palacio de la Musica on October 8 at 19:30. Tickets are available at the Palace box office or on the orchestra’s website (2 per hand). 

Dia de la Comunitat Valenciana will begin on October 9 at 12:00 noon with the lowering of the Valencian Community flag from the main balcony of the Town Hall. Then there will be a solemn procession to the statue of James I. Participants of the procession will bring flowers to the statue and sing the anthem of Valencia, and then return to the Town Hall, where the masquerade will begin.

The most colorful and anticipated event of the celebration is the Entrada de Moros y Cristianos a Valencia (Entrada de Moros y Cristianos a Valencia). A brightly costumed parade will march through the central streets of the city at 17:00, filling them with music, colors and charm of the Middle Ages. The parade will start on General Tovar Street and end on Avenida Marqués de Sotelo.

On October 9, not only is Valencian Community Day celebrated, but there is also a Valentine’s Day party, La Mocadorà. Traditionally, men give women marzipan wrapped in a handkerchief (mocador). Before the party, there is a San Donis competition organized by the Valencia Confectioners Guild. This is where the best mocador of Valencia is chosen. The 2024 winner is the Aixa confectionery, located in the municipality of Pusol, which has won the competition 14 times.

 

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Photo from the website lasprovincias.es