A warm Sunday in Valencia

We took a walk down the Rio Túria (our lovely city park) today. Our destination was he Andalucia feria and the Final day of the El Greco in Toledo exhibition. It was a warm slightly overcast day and we ambled along. The linesman was preparing one of the dirt football pitches for one of the numerous South American footy matches.
We left the park for the Museo de Bellas Artes and realised that the queue was exceptionally long (we weren't the only ones leaving it all till the last moment!) so we decided to carry on down to Andalucia and return at 2:30 ish when the Sunday Paella would be too great a pull for the Valencians...




Back down into the park and we laughed at the sign showing the rules of the park, No football, and three games within a couple of feet, No dogs off leads, we counted four in as many seconds and no Fast bike riding... but hey, who cares, it was so nice there today, so relaxed and a lovely happy atmosphere.




We looked at all the exhibits at the Andalucia, had a glass of Manzanilla Sherry/Jerez/Xerez and some delicious Jamon, watched a bit of Flamenco and then made our way back to the museum. The gamble paid off, not a soul to be seen! We were able to see the entire fascinating exhibition at our own pace... It is always worth remembering that lunchtime, though very late - between 2 and 5pm, is sacred to the Valenciano and is invariably the best time to see exhibitions or to Shop!

ANDALUCIA IN VALENCIA!

It was lovely this morning to be walking through Plaza de la Virgen to the strains of Flamenco guitar and then to see this brightly dress troupe dancing away in the sun - All to publicise the Andalucia Fair in the River bed. Well worth a trip

La Fura dels Baus at the Palau de les Arts, Valencia

If you were paying attention and have read and digested our latest lovely newsletter - you will have known, just in time, that there was a free performance outside the Palau de les Arts last night of 'Anell de llum' (Ring of Light) at 22.30.
It was a free performance and gave the public a spectacular taste of what the audience see at the Wagner opera, Siegfied.

This unique performance by the troupe who gave us the opening ceremony of the Barcelona Olympics, was in three parts and based on Light, Dawn, Daylight and Sunset.

It was an incredible performance, with sound from the full orchestra and singers and light projected over the Palau. There were glass tanks with mermaids splashing and suspended from a huge crane, there were absailers and robots and giants and a web made up of 42 people suspended above our heads.

It was a marvellous evening and if you are thinking that this is a little mean, telling you how great something you missed was, then don't. We are telling you because there is another chance to see it next Thursday 19th June at 22:30 - DO NOT MISS IT!

Thanks to Diana Jean and to Derek Workman for the Photos!

Our Latest Newsletter has a brand new look!

This is our latest newsletter - it looks great and we've had lots of nice emails about it - If you want to know what's going on in the wonderful city of Valencia then thisisvalencia.com is the place to go!

World Naked Bike Ride Valencia

It was that time of year again this weekend. The world Naked Bike Ride in Valencia took place at 4pm on Saturday 07 June. It left from the 21st Alternative Fair in the riverbed and the route took it around the city - not as many participants in the ride as last year.
The Alternative fair was a great success, we went along on saturday evening and it was heaving- the rain on Sunday must have put a bit of a damper on things though.

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I didn't see the film crew at first - apparently it is a scene from a movie, as of yet untitled, being shot in Valencia. Mmmmm!

Sunny in Valencia?

The Appalling Weather continues with rain rain rain and unseasonally low temperatures. Friday was nice for a short while - picture of the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall Square) to prove it!

Cyclos - tricycle taxis in Valencia

Trixis came to Valencia yesterday - These new eco-friendly tricycle taxis are really very attractive and will now be seen on the streets of the city. I don't envy the drivers in the height of summer! 6 euros buys two of you a quarter of an hour and 20 euros buys an hour.

Kraftwerk at Greenspace

Kraftwerk - Autobhan and all that - come to Valencia on the 07 March to play at Heineken Greenspace.
Well at least, we think they are. All the Heineken vans have it on their rears, and it is showing on many websites, though curiously not on the Greenspace or Kraftwerk Sites - We'll Confirm as we get more news

Van Morrison Postpones Castellon Concerts

Van Morrison's two concerts at the Auditorio De Castellon have been postponed until the 22 June because The Man has a nasty chest and throat infection - it's a real disappointment for fans but here is hoping he recovers soon!

The Police announce a concert in Valencia

The Police announced an extra date on their world tour this week - it's going to take place in the Estadio Ciutat de València, Levante's Home ground, on the 02 July - Tickets are already on sale through ticktackticket.com and range from 87-270 euros. Needless to say they are selling fast...

The Cure are first up for the MTV Winter shows in Valencia

The Cure play the City of Arts and Sciences in a free concert on the 05 March. The concert is the first of the MTV Winter concerts planned for the Calatrava Masterpiece over the next months. Entry will be free and MTV will broadcast this and other MTV Winter show live around the world.

Mountain Bikes in the City

Sunday morning in the centre was filled with the noise of chanting, horns, and loudhailers coming from hundreds of Mountain Bikers protesting about new rules prohibiting them from using mountain paths.

Parque Cabecera, at the head of the Río Túria

There is a new park in Valencia. It's actually an extension of the Río Túria Park, and is call Parque Cabecera. Its 35 hectares are divided into 4 distinct areas, water, forest and garden, a bio park and an amusement park. There is an amphitheatre and the Valencia Zoo will shortly open its gates to the public.The view from the hill at its head over the park is excellent.

The Key to Reserva by Martin Scorsese.

Freixenet - there's a name to conjure with! Especially at Christmas time. The famous Cava in the golden bottle graces many a table throughout Spain and the world.
What you may not know is that each year the Spanish nation eagerly awaits the screening of the latest Christmas Advert on the television. It is such a popular event that it is even announced in advance in the press and on television and is allotted schedules, just like a normal Television Programme. It is shown on several nights on many channels, usually features a big international star, the Freixenet Bubble girls and usually has a running time of at least five minutes.
This year Freixenet (pronounced, fresh-e-net, by the way!) have scored a major coup by employing one of the world's great directors, Martin Scorsese, and given him free reign to produce their film for 2007. He has taken that free reign, has dispensed with the bubble girls, and has produced a brilliant homage to Hitchcock entitled 'The Key to Reserva'. You can see it online by clicking the headline

Christmas in Valencia

Aaaah, the lights are going up for christmas all over the city. We always like the lights on our town hall, El Ayuntamiento.
There seem to be less Bélens (Nativity Scenes) this year, in previous years there have been huge ones in the Ayuntamiento and Nuevo Centro. All we have seen this year is an exhibition of the Society of Bélen Makers at the museum in the Almudin.

The Cultural Event of the Year (possibly)

CULTURE AND BEER
BOB YAREHAM, journalist and author reading extracts from his highly unsuccessful book: ‘ENGLISH BEAUTY’, accompanied by penniless Patagonian jazz musician ‘MONO’ LEÓN.
AND……
an exhibition of signed prints by artist and graphic designer (and he’s not too bad) TIMOTHY-V. BIRCH of www.thisisvalencia.com fame.
SHERLOCK HOLMES PUB, PLAZA MANISES, 3. VALENCIA
Sunday 16th December 6.30 P.M.
10% of all books and prints sold will be donated to Médicos sin Fronteras

Restaurants, cafes and Bars in Valencia city

really amusing and informative reviews of the restaurants of Valencia, and great listings too.

read more | digg story

Flood Damage at the Palau de les Arts

Helga Schmidt


Contractors outside the Palau


In a hastily convened press conference at the Palau de les Arts, Valencia this afternoon, Helga Schmidt, the Palau's Chief Representative, announced that due to the damage to the new Opera House following heavy rains on the 11th and 12th of October, the new season that was supposed to begin with a new production of Carmen on the 26th will now be delayed until the 06 November.

Santiago Calatrava flew over yesterday with his team to survey the damage and had meetings with the Foundation, representatives of the City of Arts and Sciences and also the Generalitat. Meeting continued today to evaluate and identify the problems and so find solutions so that the new season can go ahead. The date of 06 November will, they feel, give the various sub-contractors time to rectify the damage.

The rest of the season will go on as advertised, with the exception of the production of 1984, whose staging requires the hydraulic platform, the motors of which were damaged by the water and need to be replaced. 1984 will now be held another season, as Lorin Maazel is unable, due to other commitments to reschedule during the current season. (Any ticket holders for this Opera will be fully refunded.)

The main damage seem to have been electrical , and the Opera House is currently without power. The computer ticketing system has been lost, the audio visual systems in the main auditorium are damaged and there is still water in some areas. Currently only the contractors have access, though there is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at 6pm to see whether the power an be put back on Wednesday. If successful, this would mean that rehearsals, which have been unable to take place so far, can begin in the auditorium on Saturday.

Ms Schmidt emphasised that the production is ready, that the costumes and sets were undamaged, it just needs the Orchestra, Choir and performers to get together in the main hall to rehearse. It is most important that the airconditioning i working for this to happen.

Tickets for the public which were due to go on sale on the 19th will now be on sale at the ticket offices at the Palau only on the 29th October. These will be for Carmen ONLY, and as the computer system will not at that time be functioning yet, purchasers are asked to bring cash and to be very patient as the tickets will be issued manually.

On the 26th of November, tickets for all remaining Performances throughout the season, by which time a brand new automated ticket system will be in Place.
More details Follow

HR Giger opens his first exhibition in Spain

HR Giger inspects the exhibition in Valencia today prior to tomorrow night's opening

Mr Giger and the head.


The first major retrospective of the works by HR Giger in Spain opens in Valencia tomorrow (18th October). It is to be held in the Sala d'exposicions at the UPV (La Universidad Politécnica de Valencia) and runs until december.
The man himself will be there to open the exhibition. The special site set up for the exhibiton has been flooded with visitors since it went live on tuesday and online sales of the merchandise have been extraordinary. www.hrgiger.com
There are over fifty works on display including the famous head from Alien.
We'll bring you a full report on thisisvalencia.com on friday -including a few words, we hope, from the great man himself!

Raquel Welch and Don Johnson Visit Valencia

Don Johnson arrives at the press conference.

Don Johnson with a thisisvalencia.com flyer.

Raquel Welch with Festival organiser Juan Piquer

Raquel Welch in Valencia

Mostra de Valencia, the Mediterranean Film Festival, started today with press conferences with two of its three special international guests.
First on the rostrum was the genial actor Don Johnson, who immediately told the attending press how impressed he was with the city of Valencia and how he would like to return with his wife and family for a holiday. Asked if it worried him that he is more remembered for his part in Miami Vice and his marriage to Melanie Griffith , than for his film work, he retorted that he was proud of Miami Vice and had a beautiful daughter with Melanie - what more could a man ask for?
Next came Raquel Welch, still looking extremely glamorous and trim. Though she has been to Spain many times, this is her first visit to Valencia and she also commented on the what a beautiful place it is. Her reply to the question, What is the secret to your continuing beauty, she replied shear hard work - I'm high maintenance!
After the press conferences they both went on to meet Valencia's Mayor, Rita Barbera, at a reception where they were presented with the keys to the city.
Tonight, there is a Gala to launch the Festival at Palau de la Musica.
The Festival gets under way at the ABC Park Cinema tomorrow. 166 films will be shown, several are Spanish premieres, two films are world premieres. There are 33 sessions during the festival with a choice of five films per session. Further details and links to the full programme on thisisvalencia.com

Read more of the interviews on thisisvalencia.com from 17 October.

Josep Renau - An exhibition at Octubre

Las Arenas, the beach of Valencia
War Poster
Photomontage
Picasso's Guernica - commissioned by Benau for the 1937 World's Fair in Paris

There is a fascinating exhibition at the Octubre Gallery/Arts Centre (C/Sant Ferran 12, 46001 Valencia), Josep Renau is someone you will probably never have heard of directly.

Born in 1907 in Valencia he was an Illustrator, Muralist and, in his latter years made a series of surreal photo montages.

His early years were devoted to magazine and poster illustration, beautiful graphic works. He joined the communist party in 1931 and at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, began producing images for the Republican side. He became director of the museum of Bellas Artes and his main work there was to safeguard the art treasures throughout the Civil War (It is said that not one Art treasure was lost during the war) and it was he that commissioned what is arguably Picasso's most famous work 'Guernica' a mural which decorated the Spanish Pavilion at the 1937 World's Fair in Paris and depicts the bombing of the town of Guernica and was Picasso's protest against Franco and Fascism.

He fled, with thousands of others across the border into France when Barcelona fell and was interned in an Algerian Refugee Camp until he was able to get a visa to work in Mexico in 1939 where he worked on Spanish magazines and murals.

In 1958 he moved to Berlin and continued to paint, make murals and photo montages. He lived in Berlin till his death in 1982, though after Franco's death in 1976 he was to visit Valencia several times and bequeathed his works to the Josep Benau Foundation which is now housed at Valencia's Modern Art Museum IVAM.

This is a great opportunity to see some fine works by this fascinating man. Unless we missed them on our visit some of his earlier Valencian Magazine work or Posters, though they appear in the leaflet of the exhibition. The Centre has captions and information that is only in Castellano/Catalan and Valenciano. It is a nice space and has a bar/café where people were enjoying what looked to be very good food.