La Vida Alcalaína

Last weekend, over two glorious sunny days and one wet one, Alcalá hosted the fourth  Feria del Mundo Rural y la Caza  with a range of activities, exhibitions and retail opportunities celebrating rural crafts and traditions.  Here are some of them - sadly I didn't get a decent photo of the catapulting competition and the mule-loading demonstration scheduled for Sunday morning was rained off, but there will be another opportunity no doubt. Payoyo goats, perfect for turning weeds into cheese Merino sheep from Grazalema, famous for their fine wool Demonstration of chair-making by Asociación Jacaranda How to cook the pig you've just slaughtered Products made from esparto grass Alcalá's famous rustic bread, baked in wood-fired ovens Hunting knives with handles made from antlers Souvenirs made from cork (but sadly not made here) Costume for a country lady Accessories for the country gentleman                         ...

The town has recently seen an explosion of colour as hundreds of potted geraniums now adorn its white walls.  Quite how long they will last I'm not sure, but in the meantime they are here for the enjoyment of all.  They complement a number of ceramic plaques celebrating local trades, which were installed earlier this year.

Local artist Alfonso Jiménez Barrera will be exhibiting some of his paintings at the Santo Domingo cultural centre this coming week.  Visitors to the flamenco bar on the Plaza Alta will already by familiar with his signature work, a stunning townscape of Alcalá, painted in photographic detail, which hangs in the dining area. The exhibition is organised by the alumni association of the Sagrada Familia school (SAFA), and is open from 8 pm starting Saturday 11 August. Born in Alcalá de los Gazules in 1959, Alfonso has always been interested in the arts, especially painting and drawing.  Over the past few years he has dedicated himself full-time to his artistic works, and is well on the way to making a name for himself across Spain, winning various awards and participating in exhibitions in Barcelona and Madrid. Alfonso is self-taught, and is now passing on his techniques to local adults and children in classes held his own workshop.  His skill and patience as a teac...

In Spain, as in many Catholic countries, the Christmas nativity scene goes way beyond a stable and a manger. The belén (from the Spanish name for Bethlehem) often recreates in miniature an entire Palestinian village, and examples can be seen in shop windows and public squares as well as schools, businesses, churches and homes.  The custom is thought to be over seven hundred years old, and even has its own name - belenismo . A lovingly-prepared Belén in the backstreets of Alcalá The little figures are often hand-made, with incredible attention to detail, and there are entire markets dedicated to selling them. We came across one in Seville yesterday: the Feria del Belén  is located outside the cathedral and has been going for nearly twenty years.  It  has over 20 stalls selling everything from miniature mechanical blacksmiths, complete with moving hammers (€149), to tiny eggs and vegetables to put in tiny wicker baskets (from €1 each). . The Feria del ...

Last week, coinciding with the 8th Festival Internacional de Música , Alcalá had its first Paseo de Galerías. It was organised jointly by the Town Hall and the Painting in Spain art school. Local artists and craftsmen from all over the region of La Janda were invited to display their works in bars, restaurants and empty shops around the town, for the public to drop in, enjoy a drink and  tapas, and hopefully purchase a painting or two. Despite taking place in one of the hottest Augusts on record, and the failure of some of the participants to show up, the event was reasonably successful with several paintings sold, and was enjoyed by locals as well as visitors. Here are some of the exhibits. Watercolours by Benito García Morán on the Calle Real: Acrylics by yours truly in the Peña Madridista (Real Madrid supporters club), hanging amongst the Cristiano Ronaldo shirts and trophy posters: Oils by María Gómez in the San Jorge Hotel: Oils by...