Valencia Day

October 9th, 2015

In addition to the wonderfully festive celebration of Valencia, October 9th is also regarded as somewhat of a Valentine’s Day for Valencians. On this day, the males of Valencia are supposed to give sweet sugar candies shaped like fruits wrapped in a silk scarf to any female they choose. (Typically the recipient is a significant other, but neither mothers nor aunts are excluded either!)

Today, Valencia Day is a commemoration of the place we call home and of the women in our lives who deserve a little sugar. It is a community festival meant to unite the people of Valencia through music, historical displays, festivities, food, and love. My time in Valencia could not have been a completed one without seeing our home endure such a festive time as Valencia day. If I had the choice, you can bet that I would come back every year.

Candies that are molded like fruits. They are wrapped
in a special silk scarf for Valencia Day only,
and given by men to their significant female other.

I had the pleasure of experiencing Valencia Day on Friday, October 9th. The study center hummed with excitement with the festive energy that had been taking place just outside our doors all week long. Today was the day: Valencia day. October 9th celebrates two different occasions: the region of Valencia itself, and the feast of San Dionisio. 

In celebration of Valencia itself, a street fair is thrown all throughout the town. Just outside the study center, street vendors selling traditional Valencian food and other local favorites filled the square, streets closed down, and people filled every square inch that they could. Across the street, more street vendors lined the bridge, however, they sold trinkets and jewelry rather than food (with the exception of a cart selling amazing roasted nuts).

~Christian "Macho" Camacho