Archive for the 'Culture' Category

On the 11^th and 19^th February and again on 3^rd March 2012, Valencia will play host to the XIV Flamenco Festival, which will be held in the beautiful Palau de la Musica.

In Spain, Flamenco dancing is considered one of the most popular dance genres. Originally created by Andalusian gypsies, this traditional dance routine quickly spread across the entire country and influenced the nation as a whole. Flamenco dancing has evolved over time through various diverse cultures, including the Arab culture, which has brought about the musical and choreographic details of Flamenco as we know it today.

Valencia welcomes the XIV Flamenco Festival

Mickey, Minnie and a superb red convertible is how the latest show ‘Disney on Ice – Worlds of Fantasy’ begins. A Feld Entertainment production, it runs from 16^th to 19^th February 2012 at the Pabellón Municipal Fuente de San Luis, in Valencia.

During this enchanted journey, you get the chance to dive into the ocean with Arielle, the Little Mermaid, drive at full speed with Cars, discover the heart of Fairy Valley with Tinkerbell and finally explore Andy’s room complete with all the toys from Toy Story 3. Mickey and Minnie will travel through these four magical worlds with you, revealing each of the characters in turn.

Grab your skates – Disney on Ice is coming to Valencia!

For the second consecutive year, the Russafa district in Valencia welcomes the Russafa Cultura Viva festival. From 14^th to 26^th February 2012, the streets will come alive with various activities organised by the multicultural residents of the district. The famous carnival will take place on the 25^th February, the World Day of the Carnival, which marks the culmination of these celebrations.

The Russafa carnival, friendly and inter-cultural

This Valentine’s Day why not choose Rome – The Eternal City, staying somewhere romantic and luxurious but with a difference. Explore the city with its architectural splendour and historic attractions.

The Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, offers the ultimate in sensual romanticism. This classic venue, complete with its own private art collection and Grand Spa, is situated in Rome’s most prestigious area and its Valentine’s package offers the ultimate romantic and luxurious experience coupled with a chance to revitalise, rejuvenate and relax. The package includes exclusive Valentine’s day cuisine at the L’Uliveto Restaurant and treatments in the Grand Spa, where you can relax and be pampered. Also included is a visit to the Ponte Milvio, including an opportunity to participate in a popular modern ritual. Valentine’s Day Breaks – It’s not all about going to Paris

In the Middle Ages some of the greatest minds concerned themselves with the lifelong pursuit of turning base metals into gold. While the answer to that one has not yet been found, leading oenologists are the alchemists of our times – creating the ‘Nectar of the Gods’ out of the soil of south-western France.

The southwest of France is an area with one of the most prestigious traditions of any winegrowing region in the world. Wine has been produced here since classical times, and its vintages have long since counted among the very best in the world. Names such as Chateau Rochebelle, Chateau Latour and Chateau Lafitte Rothschild are internationally revered and add a distinctly aristocratic air to this region. Representative of the very finest quality and refinement, they personify the concept of wine both as a tradition and as an art.

Liquid alchemy

How do you create interest in a subject that, at first appearance, might seem a little dry and dusty? Well, one sure-fire way to do it is to position it at the heart of a Hollywood blockbuster that is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Harrison Ford!

Ever since the Indiana Jones franchise hit the cinemas, the previously sedate academic subject of archaeology has undergone a renaissance, with students signing up in the hope of covering themselves with a little bit of that Indy stardust.

Now an interactive exhibition at the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum in Valencia’s famous City of Arts and Sciences has gathered together an impressive collection of material from the Indiana Jones movies in order to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of this highly successful franchise.

Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology

The riurau is a unique structure irrevocably linked to the Spanish east coast and the Jávea region of the Costa Blanca in particular. Even the name has an unmistakable local ring to it, and can only really be done justice with the rounded ‘Rs’ of authentic Valenciano pronunciation.

This unusual outbuilding, with its characteristic long arched galleries covered by Spanish roof tiles, is the product of the vibrant raisin trade that long made the Jávea area an important source of fine grade raisins and sultanas. Grown in the large, level valley as well as in the surrounding countryside, the raisins exported from Jávea’s Las Duanas port area to destinations around the world were gathered and dried in riurau that once dotted the entire area and gave it a very distinct architectural look.

Riurau, a typical structure